Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,

I am writing to you in hopes of appealing to drop FILM 236 Cultural and Media Studies (Fall, 2020).

I first enrolled at Queen¿¿s University in the Fall of 2011. When I was a student at this time, I suffered from a string of mental health struggles that went untreated, and physical health issues. With my physical health issues, I enrolled in online classes to be closer to my doctors, and with my condition and limitations, it led me into a deep state of depression. As such, I took some time off as a student but still held the importance of finishing my degree in the future. Beginning to work with a psychotherapist, she helped me better deal with my anxiety and encouraged me to take the first step in finishing my degree, enrolling in courses. By the time I enrolled, it was the last date of the add drop period, and was already behind in FILM 236 before I began, whereas with the other courses I was not. I was planning on dropping the course over the term break if I had not by then caught up, but suffered another mental health setback where I was physically unable to take the necessary steps to drop the course by the November 2nd final drop date.

I originally enrolled in this course in hopes of greater boosting my GPA, but now it shows that it is having a negative impact. I think that I overstretched and took on too much too soon. After speaking with an academic advisor, I only need to finish 6 units and boost my GPA by 0.5 to graduate, which I am expected to achieve by the end of this semester. By dropping this course, I will be able to stay on track to do so. I plan on enrolling in a course in the Winter 2021 term in lieu of FILM 236 to help my GPA for a Spring graduation.

I appreciate your time and consideration for my appeal to drop FILM 236 Cultural and Media Studies (Fall, 2020). If there is anything else that you may need, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Alanna Day