Manage Appeals
Petition Type: 1
ID: 9936
Submitted: January 11, 2023 at 3:32:29 PM
Relevant Petition: 9923
First Name: Sebastian
Last Name: Medrea
Student Number: 20285879
Email: 20sm131@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BCmpH
Plan: MCO-P-BCH
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: CISC 124
Term: Fall
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dean Stephenson,
I am writing this letter to petition a late drop for the following course: CISC 124, from the Fall 2022 semester.
Before the original exam period in December, I spoke to a mental health advisor through Student Wellness Services as I was in an anxious and depressed mental state due to problems at home concerning my family for a good portion of the semester. As I was desperate to return back home and check on the condition of my mother and brother, I was granted long-term academic consideration from the period of December 1st, 2022 to February 2nd, 2023 for four of my exams. My intention was to return home to be able to support my family and to tackle my finals at a later date with a clearer mind as focusing for the exam season was near impossible to balance with concerns for my family and my mental health. I do not feel entirely comfortable discussing the specific details of my struggle but ultimately, the relationship between my parents is in a fractured state and a host of issues has stemmed from there. Returning home, however, made any further studying difficult as the situation has been exacerbated since and I was forced to focus all my efforts on my family instead. We spent a great deal of time confiding in close friends and the church but the situation has since escalated. Ultimately, I had very little time and a difficult environment at home to fully commit to my studies. I have 4 deferred exams scheduled over this weekend which are essentially back-to-back and as I am currently still stressed with my family's worsened situation, I am asking that CISC 124 be dropped as I do not anticipate performing well on this final and finishing with the required C- to advance to my remaining prerequisite courses for the winter semester as this is a core course. Taking an F instead would be worrisome for my GPA as I am looking to apply to medical schools in my later years. I plan on taking the course this semester and with access to advisors and a fresh start, I will be more prepared in taking on my studies. I am planning to write my other exams this weekend or seek alternate times with my instructors as I need to get the semester over with so it does not complicate my winter semester; dropping this course would provide some much needed breathing room as I handle finals, my family, and my mental health. Returning back to campus and studying in the library has since made this process easier and I am doing the best that I can given my situation. If anything can be done, it would be greatly appreciated.
Regarding a future plan for achieving academic success, I plan to book further appointments with a therapist either through SWS or a personal physician. Discussing these feelings with a professional may help better manage my emotions and allow for an improved learning experience for my classes. Additionally, making use of a learning strategist or advisor from SASS could help me with focus during periods of high stress and anxiety. I was able to perform very well last academic year as I did not have the same distractions I do now, so I am hoping that learning to effectively manage my situation will reawaken the same performance I had last year.
Thank you and best regards,
Sebastian Medrea
I am writing this letter to petition a late drop for the following course: CISC 124, from the Fall 2022 semester.
Before the original exam period in December, I spoke to a mental health advisor through Student Wellness Services as I was in an anxious and depressed mental state due to problems at home concerning my family for a good portion of the semester. As I was desperate to return back home and check on the condition of my mother and brother, I was granted long-term academic consideration from the period of December 1st, 2022 to February 2nd, 2023 for four of my exams. My intention was to return home to be able to support my family and to tackle my finals at a later date with a clearer mind as focusing for the exam season was near impossible to balance with concerns for my family and my mental health. I do not feel entirely comfortable discussing the specific details of my struggle but ultimately, the relationship between my parents is in a fractured state and a host of issues has stemmed from there. Returning home, however, made any further studying difficult as the situation has been exacerbated since and I was forced to focus all my efforts on my family instead. We spent a great deal of time confiding in close friends and the church but the situation has since escalated. Ultimately, I had very little time and a difficult environment at home to fully commit to my studies. I have 4 deferred exams scheduled over this weekend which are essentially back-to-back and as I am currently still stressed with my family's worsened situation, I am asking that CISC 124 be dropped as I do not anticipate performing well on this final and finishing with the required C- to advance to my remaining prerequisite courses for the winter semester as this is a core course. Taking an F instead would be worrisome for my GPA as I am looking to apply to medical schools in my later years. I plan on taking the course this semester and with access to advisors and a fresh start, I will be more prepared in taking on my studies. I am planning to write my other exams this weekend or seek alternate times with my instructors as I need to get the semester over with so it does not complicate my winter semester; dropping this course would provide some much needed breathing room as I handle finals, my family, and my mental health. Returning back to campus and studying in the library has since made this process easier and I am doing the best that I can given my situation. If anything can be done, it would be greatly appreciated.
Regarding a future plan for achieving academic success, I plan to book further appointments with a therapist either through SWS or a personal physician. Discussing these feelings with a professional may help better manage my emotions and allow for an improved learning experience for my classes. Additionally, making use of a learning strategist or advisor from SASS could help me with focus during periods of high stress and anxiety. I was able to perform very well last academic year as I did not have the same distractions I do now, so I am hoping that learning to effectively manage my situation will reawaken the same performance I had last year.
Thank you and best regards,
Sebastian Medrea
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Document: Long-Term Academic Consideration-0.pdf
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 9936
Relevant Petition: 9936
New Information: To whom it may concern,
I am submitting an amendment to extend my petition to another course as it is related to the same extenuating circumstance. I am petitioning for an extension of an incomplete grade for CHEM 281 F22 so that I may be able to complete my final in June, as explained by my course instructor Dr. John Carran and his timeline.
As outlined in my appeal, problems in my family have impacted my mental health making completion of 4 deferred exams in one weekend far too challenging. Any extended time I was given over the holidays was dedicated towards my mother, brother and handling any further turbulence in the household. Coming back to campus has made the change in environment a breath of fresh air yet escalating issues have made this week difficult amongst handling four exams. My focus and mental health have clearly declined and while I wish to be at 100%, I require help and assistance that I cannot provide on my own.
My course instructor Dr. John Carran has made clear that a further deferral of the exam to a date in June requires a successful appeal and as such I am choosing to extend my IN grade. My original appeal did not have a supported reason under the other option and after speaking with the Considerations Office, they have made clear what the options are for appeals are in my circumstance.
Ultimately, I am petitioning to extend an IN grade for CHEM 281 F22 and to request a late course drop for CISC 124 F22 as these are two of my largest finals and core courses that require a large amount of studying and focus that I am currently not able to provide. I am still choosing to write my other two exams, MATH 112 and BCHM 218, as I understand that moving 4 exams to a later date once again is unrealistic as I do not want to complicate my winter or summer semester. My extenuating circumstances have impacted all my courses, yet I am accepting whatever mediocre results I will receive on these two exams and hope to be done with them so I can dedicate my attention to my winter courses.
With access to resources from Student Wellness Services and Student Academic Success Services, I hope to improve on my mental state and carry over the momentum to my winter courses and CHEM 281 final, should it be written in June. I am willing to do whatever it takes to manage my mental health and tackle on my studies to my highest level as I aspire to apply to medical schools in the near future and I know this is impossible in my current state. Maintaining regular meetups with a therapist and learning to handle my emotions and thoughts would greatly help with my studies.
I am currently speaking with my course instructor for further information. If you require anything in addition, please ask.
Additionally, I want to make clear that the dates for my long term academic consideration are from December 1st, 2022 to February 2nd, 2023 in case this was incorrect in my appeal letter. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal and amendment.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Medrea
I am submitting an amendment to extend my petition to another course as it is related to the same extenuating circumstance. I am petitioning for an extension of an incomplete grade for CHEM 281 F22 so that I may be able to complete my final in June, as explained by my course instructor Dr. John Carran and his timeline.
As outlined in my appeal, problems in my family have impacted my mental health making completion of 4 deferred exams in one weekend far too challenging. Any extended time I was given over the holidays was dedicated towards my mother, brother and handling any further turbulence in the household. Coming back to campus has made the change in environment a breath of fresh air yet escalating issues have made this week difficult amongst handling four exams. My focus and mental health have clearly declined and while I wish to be at 100%, I require help and assistance that I cannot provide on my own.
My course instructor Dr. John Carran has made clear that a further deferral of the exam to a date in June requires a successful appeal and as such I am choosing to extend my IN grade. My original appeal did not have a supported reason under the other option and after speaking with the Considerations Office, they have made clear what the options are for appeals are in my circumstance.
Ultimately, I am petitioning to extend an IN grade for CHEM 281 F22 and to request a late course drop for CISC 124 F22 as these are two of my largest finals and core courses that require a large amount of studying and focus that I am currently not able to provide. I am still choosing to write my other two exams, MATH 112 and BCHM 218, as I understand that moving 4 exams to a later date once again is unrealistic as I do not want to complicate my winter or summer semester. My extenuating circumstances have impacted all my courses, yet I am accepting whatever mediocre results I will receive on these two exams and hope to be done with them so I can dedicate my attention to my winter courses.
With access to resources from Student Wellness Services and Student Academic Success Services, I hope to improve on my mental state and carry over the momentum to my winter courses and CHEM 281 final, should it be written in June. I am willing to do whatever it takes to manage my mental health and tackle on my studies to my highest level as I aspire to apply to medical schools in the near future and I know this is impossible in my current state. Maintaining regular meetups with a therapist and learning to handle my emotions and thoughts would greatly help with my studies.
I am currently speaking with my course instructor for further information. If you require anything in addition, please ask.
Additionally, I want to make clear that the dates for my long term academic consideration are from December 1st, 2022 to February 2nd, 2023 in case this was incorrect in my appeal letter. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal and amendment.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Medrea
Student Number: 20285879
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC