Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing an appeal for an extension of an incomplete grade in the course PSYC 271 that I took during the Summer 2020 semester.

On July 15, 2020, my closest friend and housemate at Queen¿¿s University passed away unexpectedly and suddenly due to a brain tumor. At the time, I was taking PSYC 271. I submitted a request for academic consideration under the bereavement category and I was granted a 2-week grace period, where I did not need to complete course work. Near the end of this grace period, I tried to get back to my course work; however, I was not able to focus. I found myself mindlessly taking notes and when I tried to push myself to study for more than two hours a day, I would feel sad, unmotivated and a lack of interest in daily activities. I submitted a request for academic consideration under the personal category. I was granted a grace period, meaning that I would not have to write my exam until the end of September. In September, I appealed my grade again and attempted to get my exam deferred until Spring 2021, as I found myself unable to focus on the material due to the strong association with it and my friend¿¿s passing. Arts and Science Considerations said that I could not get my exam deferred until the spring; however, I could get it deferred until December, and then I could appeal it again in December. Therefore, since September, I have been expecting to write the exam in the spring.

This semester, I have meet regularly with a Queen¿¿s counsellor. Counselling has been helpful in giving me a space to speak about my friend and my emotions, as well as helping me learn how to continue living my life without my friend at my side. Overall, I have handled a full course load well this past semester. I attribute this to my high degree of interest in my courses and how I do not associate them with my friend. Although, over the semester, there were a few periods (lasting about week each) where something stimulated me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, exhaustion and lack of motivation. One example of an event that stimulated me is when I had an ethics assignment regarding death and dying. As I was on top of my work during these times, and I was seeing a counsellor and being supported by friends and family, I was able to get through these difficult times.

At this time, I still do not feel like I am able to study for or write my PSYC 271 exam. Over time, the association between the course and my friend¿¿s passing has weakened; however, the association is still too strong for me to study the course material. I believe that PSYC 271 is a course that I would have done well in and I believe that by deferring the exam to Spring 2021, I will be able to complete the exam to the best of my ability.

Kiley MacGowan