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Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am appealing for crediting standing in my first year physics 117 course.

Unfortunately, my father recently passed away and his death was very sudden. Due to this circumstance my first semester exam marks were affected and I do believe I did not perform to my full potential. After his death, I continuously experienced anxiety and other unsettling symptoms. I had seen a doctor during this period and I was told these were symptoms of grief and there is nothing I should do about it. Despite struggling with my mental health and anxiety, I managed to keep my grades up during the second semester. My first in person exam in my first year was my final physics exam and my symptoms heightened during this time period. Previously, my fall semester exams were all online and my math and psychology exams in the second semester were online as well. Hours before my final physics exam I experienced a panic attack and my roommate was debating on calling 911. I was also experiencing covid-19 symptoms that peaked within the day of my exam and the next day following. I took a test the next day after my exam and it turned out to be positive, so my last two exams were deferred. I believe the panic attack I experienced that day and my covid symptoms had an affect on my performance during my physics exam. I was struggling to write, as my hands kept shaking and was told by an advisor in the exam room to take a washroom break. I struggled to focus and left my exam as soon as I could. I am appealing for this course in particular because my performance was affected due to these circumstances, and I strongly believe I could have performed much better.I had two other exams which I had deferred after my physics exam and was also able to control my symptoms as I was not sick and had time to recollect.

In regards to my anxiety, I am seeing my doctor about any solutions I can proceed with so I can avoid a situation like this in the future. I am also retaking physics 117 currently in summer school, as my mark was significantly affected after my performance on the exam. The documentation I will be providing is a death certificate, and my positive covid test I used to defer my exams. I am also in the process of seeing my family doctor and would be more than willing to provide a note regarding my anxiety.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my appeal.

Kind Regards,
Shaheen Khan