Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop Econ250 (Winter 2021) and Econ222 (Winter 2021). I am appealing this decision because of my extenuating circumstances this year.

This has been the most challenging year of my life. The Corona Virus has turned my life upside down and has made a difficult situation even worse. I have loved school for as long as I can remember, consistently on the honour roll and participating in extracurricular activities. I was ecstatic when I got accepted to Queen's; I Immediately accepted without even checking my other offers. First-year was a big learning curve. I was on my own at university for the first time and playing varsity water polo. My grades weren't as high as they used to be, but I expected this and knew that I would have a much greater understanding of how to succeed in university next year. I was elated to return with the new friends I made.

Then COVID happened. At first, it wasn't much of a big deal. I could still work my summer job, I still had a house in Kingston, and just because I couldn't see other people in person, because of new technologies I felt more connected than ever. During that summer, a very traumatic event happened to me and because of that, I was isolated from my friends. On top of that COVID prevented many of my other friends and housemates from returning to Kingston. By the time I was halfway through the first semester, I could already see the cracks in my psyche forming, and my mental health was spiralling downward. I was copping in unhealthy ways, and school was proving to be a busy and anxiety-filled mess. I once yearned to study the subjects I now resented, and I hated myself for how I was letting school slip. This is when I first reached out to my family doctor, who suggested that I either begin medication or counselling. I began counselling around this same time, which I continue to attend, and I am now in touch with another medical professional.

I don't plan to let this series of unfortunate events define me academically. I very well know what I am capable of, and this year it has shown to be a wildly inaccurate presentation. I plan to re-take these courses as soon as they are offered again and continue with my degree. On top of these measures, I am also requesting a grade of incomplete from my Math126 professor, I also plan on soon finishing this course. I did not drop these courses earlier because of my school-related anxiety that perpetually got worse. I would find it challenging even to open up the OnQ webpage. While I am behind in my other course, I am confident with the support I am getting; I will complete it by the end of the semester.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope you will be able to understand my circumstances and assist me.