Petition Letter
Dear Petitions Committee,
I am writing today to kindly request an Aegrotat Standing (AG) regarding the course PSYC 221, Cognitive Psychology. I would like to address that I have taken the course during various academic periods, however, due to multiple extenuating circumstances which I will further explain in this letter, I was not able to complete the course to set standards. I can proudly say that through hands-on learning and actively working in the mental health field for the past year, I was able to apply the materials covered in PSYC 221 and use this information to enhance my learning and training in a social work environment.
The Winter term of 2020 was the first time I had taken the course, and what I hoped would be my graduating year. Close to the duration of the second examination period, my close friend fell ill and ended up being hospitalized. Understanding that this heightened my stress levels and affected my ability to concentrate, I emailed my professor from my friend??s bedside to reschedule the exam. My attempt was unsuccessful and I was unable to write the second exam on a rescheduled date. By the time the third examination came around in April 2020, we were fully in disruption by the Covid-19 lockdown, and I was faced with the decision to drop the course as I did not have confidence in my ability to succeed. This stressful time led to the decision to re-attempt my studies in the 2020-2021 academic year, without seeking proper guidance from an academic advisor.
I had hoped for the following academic year 2020-2021 to be better. Unfortunately, due to the dramatic shift of courses switching to an online platform as the university was closed, online learning became an additional challenge for me, as I was struggling with lasting symptoms from a concussion I obtained from a previous year. There was an increase in headaches, and I found tasks that I was once previously able to do, more difficult. This included concentration, memory, and my sense of balance and stability. My physical and mental health suffered as well, especially from the added isolation we were all experiencing during the pandemic. I lacked access to my social support network of friends and family, I could not see my mom or grandmother due to not wanting to risk exposing my immunocompromised family. I found myself in a very dark place filled with worry, and despite my best efforts and expectations for myself, I was unable to complete the course.
I took PSYC 221 for the third time in the winter of 2021. My passion and goals to complete the course, graduate, and apply to a master??s program reached new heights This time my physical health declined more, and unfortunately, I was hospitalized in February 2021 for severe back spasms. This started the long journey of discovering underlying neurological problems leading to a lumbar laminectomy spinal surgery the following year. The winter of 2021 was physically and emotionally draining. I had to juggle debilitating pain without knowing the cause, helping with family finances due to job layoffs, long wait times for guidance and support at school, while still trying my best to stay on top of coursework. I was unsuccessful in completing the course a third time and ultimately I felt like a failure.
By May 2021 I started a job at the Integrated Care Hub (ICH) to support myself and, in the process, put my academic career on hold due to the immense negative emotions and anxiety. With my educational background, I was able to excel in the job of being a community outreach support worker to marginalized individuals. Those groups include those who are at risk for homelessness, complex mental health challenges and substance use. The ICH is based on the principles of stabilization, trauma and violence-informed care, wellness, and cultural safety/harm reduction by serving a variety of individuals.
the course, graduate, and apply to a master??s program reached new heights This time my physical health declined more, and unfortunately, I was hospitalized in February 2021 for severe back spasms. This started the long journey of discovering underlying neurological problems leading to a lumbar laminectomy spinal surgery the following year. The winter of 2021 was physically and emotionally draining. I had to juggle debilitating pain without knowing the cause, helping with family finances due to job layoffs, long wait times for guidance and support at school, while still trying my best to stay on top of coursework. I was unsuccessful in completing the course a third time and ultimately felt like a failure.
My time at the ICH consisted of daily work with individuals who suffer from addiction and the effects of homelessness. As a result, many of the clients displayed altered cognitions including in memory loss, decision-making and inhibition, attention, and altered perceptions. As research states, this can increase poor mental health and affects different branches of cognitive psychology. Reflecting on course work, I saw cognitive (expectancy) theory, and many of the PSYC 221 course objectives in real-time, be it with clients, co-workers, or clinical case managers. My job required the knowledge of cognitive psychology as well as comprehension gained in many of the other psychology courses I had taken. This enhanced my ability to support, understand, and communicate with my clients, and de-escalate situations effectively and appropriately. Without taking PSYC 221 at various times in my academic career, I do not believe I would have been as equipped to work in an intensive environment.
As I am aware I only require one last course to graduate, I had the pleasure of speaking to an academic advisor named Spring. She gave me the guidance and hope that I needed to view my path moving forward. I can confidently say that being able to apply and utilize the knowledge I obtained from this course and all my courses in a hands-on environment, has helped create an even deeper understanding of the topics covered in my academic career. If you would please consider my request for an Aegrotat Standing in PSYC 221, as I would like to continue and progress in my academic endeavours.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Jaya Buschemeyer
20005175
I am writing today to kindly request an Aegrotat Standing (AG) regarding the course PSYC 221, Cognitive Psychology. I would like to address that I have taken the course during various academic periods, however, due to multiple extenuating circumstances which I will further explain in this letter, I was not able to complete the course to set standards. I can proudly say that through hands-on learning and actively working in the mental health field for the past year, I was able to apply the materials covered in PSYC 221 and use this information to enhance my learning and training in a social work environment.
The Winter term of 2020 was the first time I had taken the course, and what I hoped would be my graduating year. Close to the duration of the second examination period, my close friend fell ill and ended up being hospitalized. Understanding that this heightened my stress levels and affected my ability to concentrate, I emailed my professor from my friend??s bedside to reschedule the exam. My attempt was unsuccessful and I was unable to write the second exam on a rescheduled date. By the time the third examination came around in April 2020, we were fully in disruption by the Covid-19 lockdown, and I was faced with the decision to drop the course as I did not have confidence in my ability to succeed. This stressful time led to the decision to re-attempt my studies in the 2020-2021 academic year, without seeking proper guidance from an academic advisor.
I had hoped for the following academic year 2020-2021 to be better. Unfortunately, due to the dramatic shift of courses switching to an online platform as the university was closed, online learning became an additional challenge for me, as I was struggling with lasting symptoms from a concussion I obtained from a previous year. There was an increase in headaches, and I found tasks that I was once previously able to do, more difficult. This included concentration, memory, and my sense of balance and stability. My physical and mental health suffered as well, especially from the added isolation we were all experiencing during the pandemic. I lacked access to my social support network of friends and family, I could not see my mom or grandmother due to not wanting to risk exposing my immunocompromised family. I found myself in a very dark place filled with worry, and despite my best efforts and expectations for myself, I was unable to complete the course.
I took PSYC 221 for the third time in the winter of 2021. My passion and goals to complete the course, graduate, and apply to a master??s program reached new heights This time my physical health declined more, and unfortunately, I was hospitalized in February 2021 for severe back spasms. This started the long journey of discovering underlying neurological problems leading to a lumbar laminectomy spinal surgery the following year. The winter of 2021 was physically and emotionally draining. I had to juggle debilitating pain without knowing the cause, helping with family finances due to job layoffs, long wait times for guidance and support at school, while still trying my best to stay on top of coursework. I was unsuccessful in completing the course a third time and ultimately I felt like a failure.
By May 2021 I started a job at the Integrated Care Hub (ICH) to support myself and, in the process, put my academic career on hold due to the immense negative emotions and anxiety. With my educational background, I was able to excel in the job of being a community outreach support worker to marginalized individuals. Those groups include those who are at risk for homelessness, complex mental health challenges and substance use. The ICH is based on the principles of stabilization, trauma and violence-informed care, wellness, and cultural safety/harm reduction by serving a variety of individuals.
the course, graduate, and apply to a master??s program reached new heights This time my physical health declined more, and unfortunately, I was hospitalized in February 2021 for severe back spasms. This started the long journey of discovering underlying neurological problems leading to a lumbar laminectomy spinal surgery the following year. The winter of 2021 was physically and emotionally draining. I had to juggle debilitating pain without knowing the cause, helping with family finances due to job layoffs, long wait times for guidance and support at school, while still trying my best to stay on top of coursework. I was unsuccessful in completing the course a third time and ultimately felt like a failure.
My time at the ICH consisted of daily work with individuals who suffer from addiction and the effects of homelessness. As a result, many of the clients displayed altered cognitions including in memory loss, decision-making and inhibition, attention, and altered perceptions. As research states, this can increase poor mental health and affects different branches of cognitive psychology. Reflecting on course work, I saw cognitive (expectancy) theory, and many of the PSYC 221 course objectives in real-time, be it with clients, co-workers, or clinical case managers. My job required the knowledge of cognitive psychology as well as comprehension gained in many of the other psychology courses I had taken. This enhanced my ability to support, understand, and communicate with my clients, and de-escalate situations effectively and appropriately. Without taking PSYC 221 at various times in my academic career, I do not believe I would have been as equipped to work in an intensive environment.
As I am aware I only require one last course to graduate, I had the pleasure of speaking to an academic advisor named Spring. She gave me the guidance and hope that I needed to view my path moving forward. I can confidently say that being able to apply and utilize the knowledge I obtained from this course and all my courses in a hands-on environment, has helped create an even deeper understanding of the topics covered in my academic career. If you would please consider my request for an Aegrotat Standing in PSYC 221, as I would like to continue and progress in my academic endeavours.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Jaya Buschemeyer
20005175