Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Art and Science faculty,

I am appealing faculty's decision to late-add courses MUSC 210, MUSC 156, MUSC 255, ENG 100 of this 2021 fall academic term. First, I would like to give an explanation of my situation.

Back in November of 2020, after I went back to China from Canada, I started to develop some symptoms of psychological issues including anxiety. They were because of the pressure I directly face with my parents (being an international students' cost in every aspect and China's unique no failing culture), impact of Covid (losing touch with people and friends I know, not able to get help), and also the influence of the time difference (constantly having classes at midnight). So, I started to get lost on the projects and assignments. I was initially able to keep up in my classes, however, as time progressed the anxiety issues started to develop from mental aspect to a physical aspect. It changed my sleeping habits (I had insomnia), diet habits (sometimes eating too much just to relieve the pressure), and daily routine. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to realize and get help in China because back in my city, mental issues like this are not as widely recognized as they are here in Canada. I knew something was very wrong for me and yet I had no means of getting help back then. So, this resulted in some Fs in my winter classes in 2020.

The symptoms of anxiety just kept on going from November 2020 till recently.

My late arrival into Canada due to covid restrictions, and my previous failed classes led me to believe that I was already too late to add new classes. After working with an academic advisor through Artsci I have learnt it is possible to still add courses through this appeal method. With the support system I now have in place I believe that I am more than capable of catching up and succeeding in these new courses.

In regards to my recovery of my mental health, I have found the Student Wellness Center and booked appointments with Akilli, one of the counsellors and practitioner. After explaining my situation with her, she has been able to provide me some ways to deal with my issues (breathing exercises when feeling overwhelmed, etc.) and directions to seek further help that I am now persuing.

Since then, I have contacted the Artsci advisor who suggested for me to go for the appeal to Late- Add for classes, and appeal to drop my earlier academic failures. I have been in contact with Kim Gudlauski, the advisor from the music department (my major is music under Arts degree but requires teachables from English and music for the education side of the degree), she also understood my situation and helped me to contact professors in three classes so that I could catch up early before everything was too late. I also went to SASS for advice in setting up effective routine and study habits. All of this work that I have put in shows that I am recovering and really set myself up for success. To proactively ensure that I stay on top of the academic work, I have reached out to professors from MUSC 210, MUSC 255, MUSC 156 in the music department, and even they have been very supportive of me. I was able to get class materials even I though haven't had the access to course OnQ, and we figured out some ways for me to catch up in the material along with how to keep up with my ongoing studies. I also spoke to the assistant advisor Cynthia and undergrad chair Dr. Straker from the English department, and am still in contact with them to get their support. Reading week, as professors from those classes suggested, would be a great chance to catch things up. Also, because I completed quarantine on Sept.26, I was able to actually go to their classes in order to keep up. Peer side, I found my good friend Cameron McNeil's help and support, who has recovered from similar anxiety issues in the past, (he also appealed for his course). He has been available to act as a part of my support network and help me catch up in my classes (he is also in MUSC 210).

For future plans, I took the advisor from music department, Kim's advice, to take a reduced course load for this term so that I am only appealing for three music classes. I had two meetings with Akilli, the counsellor from Wellness center, to keep her updated. She also provides the documentation for my circumstances. Furthermore, to make sure I get better, I booked the earliest psychiatrist's doctor appointment on October 20th in order to assess and reevaluate my status. I am doing everything that I can and getting every help that I can to move forward from this situation. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and I hope that you could please give me the chance to late-add these courses to get things back on track.