Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic)

A. My Request
I am appealing to drop POLS 262 (Winter, 2022)
B. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances
Important Background: I have documented and significant learning disability ADHD, and diagnosed clinical depression, anxiety (general and social), which conditions have also been documented. These factors are important underlying and compounded creating my circumstances as I had already fallen substantially behind in POLS 262 when my mental and physical health incidences described below.

Since this Winter semester was split being online then in person, I found this exceptionally difficult to manage. Being online, I really struggled with creating routine and sufficient focus for my schoolwork, especially for POLS 262 as it is extremely content heavy and fast paced.
By February I started to fall more and more behind, and my depression and anxiety started to get worse each day. I could not focus, I lost all motivation to do anything and was struggling to function.

The period from early March to late May 2022, I was unable to handle my academics physically or mentally because of the following:

1. On March 11th, 2022, I tested positive for COVID-19 and hence missed all my in-person classes for all courses for almost a full week. As I was very ill, I was not able to effectively study during that period. I feel even more behind with course assignments, and with my ADHD whereby I need extra time for papers and exams, I was beyond overwhelmed. I started to spiral I would have reoccurring panic attacks that would last hours, and despite trying techniques I learned previously, nothing would resolve them. These panic attacks became so severe they prevented me from sleeping and going about my daily life.
2. Around March 24th, I suffered a severe depressive episode because I was having self harm and suicidal idealizations. I had been hospitalized in high school after a self harm incident, and because of my concern I contacted the EmpowerMe hotline to receive emergency counseling immediately. Meanwhile, I was falling behind in all my courses and the stress of falling behind made my anxiety crippling, which I tried to address by reaching out for help.
3. On Saturday, April 16th I woke up very ill, with a high fever, vomiting and severe pain. My symptoms progressively got worse; I went to the emergency at Kingston General Sunday evening on the 17th. The testing showed extreme internal organ inflammation, I was admitted to the hospital for treatment and further testing. When I was discharged on Wednesday evening on the 20th of April, I was provided a letter saying I would not be able to resume normal activities for at least two weeks, and that further testing was required by my family doctor to assess an appropriate return to my studies. By then I was in contact with QSAS due to my inability to write my exams and finals.
4. After a preliminary clearance from my family doctor the following week, post first round of additional testing, I tried to resume studying. On April 30th I had another setback with the resumption of severe abdominal pain, so unbearable I was struggling to breathe and stay conscious and called 911 and rushed via ambulance to the Emergency of Kingston General. The cause of this issue was not definitively identified at the hospital, but a preliminary diagnosis of ulcers was made with the need for my family doctor to follow up with more testing, including an endoscopy which was not able to be scheduled until early June. (which I have now had revealing a hiatal hernia, still waiting for confirmation of ulcer bacteria from biopsy).
5. On May 21st, I had yet another bout of vomiting and severe abdominal pain which my family doctor believes was potentially triggered by gallbladder inflammation tied to my COVID infection or triggered by the same bacterial infection that caused the April 16th illness.
In summary, I was extremely ill for a long period of time and the duration and the nature of the illnesses, and the very nature of multiple days of hospitalization and pain medicine and left me severely fatigued and demoralized. This would be difficult for any student but for me, given my learning disabilities and struggles with ADHD it had become overwhelming. For the record, I am still not completely recovered physically and am being treated with several medications and supplements to regain my health. On the mental front I have received a referral from my family doctor for weekly therapy but, as you know, the wait times are long, and this mental health issue afflicting me is not a short-term fix. (I was treated by a pediatric psychiatrist for several years in high school.) To the extent I can reduce stress and manage my workload on a sensible schedule, that will help mitigate the mental struggle while I seek treatment. On the other hand, based on my previous history, I know that without a sensible academic solution, my mental health will deteriorate. I have identified POLS 262 as the course I am the furthest behind and most onerous to catch up on, and thus dropping this course would be critical in being able to finish my other courses and my overall success.
C. My Academic Plan
I am and will continue to work closely with my QSAS advisor to ensure my completion of my other courses, in addition from getting assistance academic advisors to formulate a plan as to address my remaining degree requirements. In addition to having regular mental health support, I propose to attend regular office hours, and frequently meet with advisors and academic supports to ensure my success.