Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 8037
Submitted: August 6, 2021 at 2:27:19 PM
First Name: Rachel
Last Name: Burns
Student Number: 20240718
Email: 20reb@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: SOC
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Good afternoon, I hope this email finds you well. My name is Rachel Burns and I just finished my first year at Queen's University. I am reaching out to you today to discuss an email that I received from you regarding my academic standing as of May 2021. The email included information that discussed my need to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts and Science for one year due to my lacking GPA in my first year. I'm reaching out to you today in order to discuss alternate options that would not derail my education for a year.
During my first year at Queen's University, I had an initial excitement for the beginning of my university career, but soon after this I was met with a rush of anxiety for the drastic change in course load as well as the struggle to learn remotely. While I knew that the transition from high school to university was not going to be the easiest, I had no anticipation for what I would face in this first year. Between learning remotely as well as having very little motivation to learn from the same desk and environment everyday, I ultimately experienced the worst academic year I've ever faced. My first semester is when my anxiety and panic attacks began, however I powered through as hard as I could which inevitably caused me to have extreme exhaustion for the work I had just completed over the semester.
When I started my second semester of classes, I saw a drastic change in my mental health. Daily panic and anxiety attacks were just some of the challenges that I faced in my mental health which not only caused me to sleep and stay in bed for weeks at a time, but I also distanced myself from those around me to avoid the embarrassment I was feeling from my depleting GPA and overall work ethic. I did not feel confident enough to reach out to my family members for help, nor did I feel I could reach out to a health care professional. With this being said, I greatly regret not reaching out to those who could have offered me support and guidance during what seemed to be the most difficult time in my life.
During my first year at Queen's University, I had an initial excitement for the beginning of my university career, but soon after this I was met with a rush of anxiety for the drastic change in course load as well as the struggle to learn remotely. While I knew that the transition from high school to university was not going to be the easiest, I had no anticipation for what I would face in this first year. Between learning remotely as well as having very little motivation to learn from the same desk and environment everyday, I ultimately experienced the worst academic year I've ever faced. My first semester is when my anxiety and panic attacks began, however I powered through as hard as I could which inevitably caused me to have extreme exhaustion for the work I had just completed over the semester.
When I started my second semester of classes, I saw a drastic change in my mental health. Daily panic and anxiety attacks were just some of the challenges that I faced in my mental health which not only caused me to sleep and stay in bed for weeks at a time, but I also distanced myself from those around me to avoid the embarrassment I was feeling from my depleting GPA and overall work ethic. I did not feel confident enough to reach out to my family members for help, nor did I feel I could reach out to a health care professional. With this being said, I greatly regret not reaching out to those who could have offered me support and guidance during what seemed to be the most difficult time in my life.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Reaching out to you today, I understand that returning to school will not be an easy adjustment, but I am prepared to change my work habits as well as anything I can do to be successful at Queen's University. I have reached out to PASS Help and they have informed me that returning to school can be met with many resources to help me be successful during my academic career. Reducing my course load as well as reaching out to academic advisors when I am in need of some guidance are just some of the ways that I intend of creating a positive learning experience for myself. I also believe that the change of environment from my home to a classroom will lead to more success as well as the socialization with other students who I can reach out to if I need any assistance.
I hope that by reading this email it shows the initiative that I am willing to take in order to prove that I am worthy of returning to the Faculty of Arts and Science for the upcoming academic year.
I have attached an additional letter to this email written by my mother than advocates for my return to campus for this upcoming year.
I hope that by reading this email it shows the initiative that I am willing to take in order to prove that I am worthy of returning to the Faculty of Arts and Science for the upcoming academic year.
I have attached an additional letter to this email written by my mother than advocates for my return to campus for this upcoming year.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Letter-7.docx