Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Year 2020 has been very challenging for me both in my studies and work. Being isolated at home and only able to work from home brought along challenges that I never assumed would have such an impact. I thrive on a great work/life balance and enjoyed my work with children in the clinic and my four hour transit time as my study period to finally come home to spend the rest couple of hours with my sons. However, all changed when due to pandemic I started to work from home in March, 2020. Initially, I thought this would be great as I can add more study time when there is no travel. Much to my surprise, I felt isolated, alone, unmotivated, down and depressed a month into the lockdown in Ontario. Works started to slip away and so did my studies. Personally, I am very disciplined and principle oriented when it comes to any type of commitments- work/personal/academic. However, I lost that identity last year that I have worked so hard to develop. Losing control over the one thing that held me together as an individual made me feel lost but I still tried to get through it.

Fall 2020 term was difficult as was the summer 2020. I did reach out to my physician and upon consulting I increased my depression medication to help me cope with worsening depression. Meanwhile, I kept taking some time off from work to at least take off one item from my plate. I didn't help. I then took some time off from my studies to focus on mental health but kept feeling like a failure as I was not meeting my goal of finishing my degree in time to apply for grad school that I intended to start in fall of 2021. During this time period I missed many assignments and applied for academic consideration and exam deferral. Out of the three courses, two courses had exams that I just completed last week and I feel better that there went well. However, for IDIS 280, I saw my mark as F. I wanted to take the course because I was very interested in learning about it but I do not want to fail the course because I was failing in life during that time.
I am requesting for have IDIS 280 dropped from my Fall 2020 term as I am wishing to take in during Winter 2021 term. I have enrolled for it in SOLUS but I would require permission. I have the supporting documents from the physician that I attached to my academic considerations appeals last year. For this year, I am planning to quit my full time work to focus entirely on my studies to finish the in time and not feel overwhelmed. I have also made some personal lifestyle changes to help me with my mental health and well being. I hope my request is accepted.
Thank you for taking the time to read my appeal letter.