Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello Associate Dean(Academic), I am writing hoping that it would be possible to drop the course (MATH385) that I am currently enrolled in this Winter 2021 term. I was diagnosed with GAD in early childhood and saw a psychiatrist for about 10 years and have also struggled with some depressive episodes over the course of my university career, but this was manageable for the most part up until this past year. My depression has increased dramatically over the past few months and it has made it feel impossible to keep up with my studies and I have had trouble finding support that has been effective for me. I dropped one of my other courses this semester before the drop deadline early in the semester and was truly hoping I could manage 4 courses, however I do not feel like I am able to complete this course and I am aware that I cannot receive a refund on the course but I am really hoping I can get out of the course and try to finish the 3 others I am currently enrolled in. I am struggling to keep up with the material with everything I have going on and am watching myself fall increasingly behind and it is taking a huge toll on my psychological wellbeing but I feel like it is too late to seek academic support. I have had a lot of trouble leaving the house/seeking psychological support but my family has recently gotten involved to help me find a counsellor to better cope with my mental health struggles.
I don't have any specific personal event that has caused my struggle this semester, so I am not sure if I can qualify for an appeal and get out of the course, but I truly do not feel like I can complete it in my current psychological state. I have put this off so long because I really did want to complete at least 4 of the courses I enrolled in and do not want to be stuck trying to finish my degree longer than I need to because I think that will just make things a lot worse mentally, but I don't know what else to do at this point. I am hoping that by dropping a course I can finish some of my courses this spring, and complete my outstanding credits in the fall 2021 semester, and start my final (coned) year after I have finished my Bachelor of Arts.
Thank you so much for your time.
Caitlin Gallagher - 20068939
4th year Psyc/math medial & coned student