Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello,
My name is Izzy (student : 20225983) I am a second-year student at queens. I recently had a discussion with an academic advisor and we had come to the conclusion that it would be best for me to apply for an appeal in one of my courses. I was diagnosed with bipolar in mid-October and started medication for it then as well. Due to the timing of my medication, I wasn??t able to drop in time as I was unable to predict the lapse of mental capacity during the time it takes for medications to work (6 weeks). While bipolar is a chronic condition, this was an acute situation - my first-year grades reflect this. I love school and enjoy learning so it is really devastating for me that I cannot handle this course load right now. The reason I am only dropping one class is that I'm currently a promise scholar - and to keep this I must maintain an 80% course load. I cannot afford to go to university without the scholarship so I must maintain the 80% course load. The reason I am choosing to drop PHIL260 is because of the way it is taught, my other classes consist of assignments where I can take my time and focus my energy, whereas PHIL260 is entirely test-based. Along with this, the class is math-based, whereas my other courses are more arts-based. I do not do well in test-based classes regardless of my newly diagnosed condition, so with this new added stress, I am not taking the time to take care of myself. All of my classes are hard, but this one is being affected the most and I truly want to focus my energy on the other classes I am taking to achieve the GPA necessary to keep my scholarship. Along with bipolar, I am also struggling with my mother's dementia. A requirement to receiving my scholarship is that you must have grown up locally, therefore I live in the same city as my parents. While this may be helpful for some, I am forced to take care of my family because my mom cannot have a job, and my dad is struggling with alcohol abuse. I have to take care of my parents and myself, which I was able to figure out in first year, but I cannot do it now and I must self-advocate for that. Moving forward, I am working with psychiatrists, and therapists, outside of Queens, along with those I have also been working with QSAS.
I wasn??t able to make an appointment sooner, but I have attached my psychiatrist's note in support of my concerns.
Thank you in advance,
Izzy