Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 991
Submitted: April 24, 2015 at 1:39:02 PM
First Name: Mary
Last Name: Macgowan
Student Number: 10092653
Email: 12mem13@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: POLS 244
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Bénard,
I am appealing to drop POLS 244 ¿¿ Democracy and Democratization (winter 2015) after the drop deadline due to mental health issues that adversely affected my ability to complete the assigned work.
Beginning in mid-February 2015 I noticed a drop in my mood and a drastic decrease in my ability to motivate myself. I grew tired easily and experienced headaches and muscle pains during particularly stressful periods. While I still enjoyed attending lectures, I struggled to complete assignments for most of my courses, but none more so than POLS 244. I struggled to write the first assignment in February and became overwhelmed by my heightened anxiety. I decided that I was in no state to complete the essay so I failed to hand it in, thinking if I did well on subsequent assignments I could still pass the course. I began to feel better but unfortunately, when it came time to write the second assignment I was once again feeling unable to cope. My low mood and the feeling of being overwhelmed persisted, varying in severity, until midway through the April exam period.
I have never struggled with mental health issues before so I did not recognize the signs when they appeared. I believed my difficulties to be stemming from ill-timed sickness, or mental fatigue. I recognised the pattern too late to salvage the course but now that I have, I can seek solutions and support to do better next year. I have visited Tonya Bauermann, a counsellor at Health, Counselling and Disabilities Services and found it helpful. We made some progress to identifying some of the challenges I face and discussed methods for coping with the stress when it surfaces next time. I have signed a Release of Confidential Information form so that Dr. Bauermann can confirm that I have attended a session.
I am returning home to Vancouver for the summer so I am unable to follow up with Dr. Bauermann. I do however have a plan for next year to ensure I am able to overcome any similar challenges I may face. I am unsure if POLS 244 will be offered again next year since Professor Cserg¿ is leaving Queen¿¿s. If it is offered I may retake it for the personal satisfaction of completing it. I have also consulted an academic counsellor, who explained my options and assured me that I will still be able to complete my Political Studies major despite dropping this course. I believe that with Dr. Bauermann¿¿s advice, and with the support structure of my housemates and friends I will better be able to deal with my mental health issues next year. Now that I have identified the problem, I will not hesitate to seek additional help when needed.
Sincerely,
Mary Macgowan
I am appealing to drop POLS 244 ¿¿ Democracy and Democratization (winter 2015) after the drop deadline due to mental health issues that adversely affected my ability to complete the assigned work.
Beginning in mid-February 2015 I noticed a drop in my mood and a drastic decrease in my ability to motivate myself. I grew tired easily and experienced headaches and muscle pains during particularly stressful periods. While I still enjoyed attending lectures, I struggled to complete assignments for most of my courses, but none more so than POLS 244. I struggled to write the first assignment in February and became overwhelmed by my heightened anxiety. I decided that I was in no state to complete the essay so I failed to hand it in, thinking if I did well on subsequent assignments I could still pass the course. I began to feel better but unfortunately, when it came time to write the second assignment I was once again feeling unable to cope. My low mood and the feeling of being overwhelmed persisted, varying in severity, until midway through the April exam period.
I have never struggled with mental health issues before so I did not recognize the signs when they appeared. I believed my difficulties to be stemming from ill-timed sickness, or mental fatigue. I recognised the pattern too late to salvage the course but now that I have, I can seek solutions and support to do better next year. I have visited Tonya Bauermann, a counsellor at Health, Counselling and Disabilities Services and found it helpful. We made some progress to identifying some of the challenges I face and discussed methods for coping with the stress when it surfaces next time. I have signed a Release of Confidential Information form so that Dr. Bauermann can confirm that I have attended a session.
I am returning home to Vancouver for the summer so I am unable to follow up with Dr. Bauermann. I do however have a plan for next year to ensure I am able to overcome any similar challenges I may face. I am unsure if POLS 244 will be offered again next year since Professor Cserg¿ is leaving Queen¿¿s. If it is offered I may retake it for the personal satisfaction of completing it. I have also consulted an academic counsellor, who explained my options and assured me that I will still be able to complete my Political Studies major despite dropping this course. I believe that with Dr. Bauermann¿¿s advice, and with the support structure of my housemates and friends I will better be able to deal with my mental health issues next year. Now that I have identified the problem, I will not hesitate to seek additional help when needed.
Sincerely,
Mary Macgowan
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: letter from Dr. Bauermann