Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing this letter to ask to drop the following courses without academic penalty after the stated due date: GPHY 330, GPHY 209, GPHY 247, HIST 305. All but the last course are Fall 2021 courses, the last course was a full year course that ran from September 2020-April 2021. I understand I am late with my request, but was unaware this option existed, however, even if I was aware, I wouldn't have been able to exercise this option because of my health. I was unable to function with daily living skills, let alone seek an appeal. Since February, 2021, I began feeling the first signs of difficulty, what I now understand was depression. These symptoms came on gradually and resulted in a slow but very steady march/progression toward a lack of functioning. I came home in the summer and sought psychological help. I had one session with a psychologist but did not continue with therapy - another sign I now know that is depression. Beginning late September, my symptoms began to intensify, coupled with a cluster of migraines. I sought medical help, but only revealed to the doctor the migraines and not the other symptoms - again I now understand this behaviour is associated with depression (denial/avoidance). I have always suffered from migraines, but these seemed to be more frequent and intense. This was a catalyst to a serious bout of depression that left me incapacitated and in bed for days on end. Daily living skills (hygiene, eating, sleeping) became insurmountable tasks. Eventually, my parents felt strongly something was wrong and intervened and brought me home. I had a visit with my doctor and opened up about the situation and my symptoms and current situation. The following note shows his diagnosis. I am currently receiving pharmacological therapy as well as psychotherapy through Queen's. I have regular sessions with the psychotherapist scheduled and have completed two sessions to date. The severity of my depression left me with the inability to function, I was not eating, or sleeping on any schedule was not maintaining basic hygiene, and was spending much of my time in my bed, alone, avoiding contact as much as possible with family and friends. I am seeking appeal to have these courses removed from my academic record while working with my family doctor and psychotherapist to recover.