Petition Letter
Date: June 10th, 2024
To: Associate Dean (Academic),
My name is Adelaide MacLeod, and I am an 18-year-old who came from Vancouver Island to study in the Arts and Science program at Queen’s. I selected Queen’s for its small size and its feeling of community. However, I did not succeed in my first year, resulting in a request for me to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts and Science for one year.
I am requesting reconsideration of my RTW1, and rather than withdrawing, I would request the implementation of my Academic Plan so I can continue my studies at Queen’s and succeed. I accept responsibility for my grades, and I am requesting that my health struggles, which intensified my anxiety, be considered so that I may return to Queen’s in the fall.
I came to Queen’s as a strong student, and as a senior in high school, I graduated with a straight A average. I took a variety of classes in high school, and I found success in all of them. I also ensured that I utilized the available supports when needed. In my senior year, I would seek extra help from the teachers, book counselling appointments outside of the school for tools to cope with my anxiety, and exercised regularly. I know how to be successful, but this year at Queen’s, my health created a very challenging obstacle for me.
In September 2023, I became quite sick with pharyngitis, which progressed to tonsillitis and ultimately progressed to a tonsillar abscess despite appropriate antibiotic therapy (please see attached document). This illness continued with recurrent infections requiring antibiotics, Emergency Department evaluations, IV antibiotics, Student Services appointments, incision and drainage of recurrent tonsillar abscesses in October 2023 and February 2024 and Consultation with Otolaryngology both in Kingston as well as on Vancouver Island. The constantly reoccurring severe infections and tonsillar abscesses led to my tonsils being removed in May 2024. I not only had an infection that inflamed my tonsils to the point of it being very difficult to talk and swallow food but constantly being ill took a massive toll on my mental health. I was constantly exhausted from being sick and from the stress of constantly being behind in school. This stress increased my anxiety, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and depressed. My anxiety presents itself when I feel situations are out of my control, and my coping tool is avoidance (please see attached Psych. Ed report). My Psych. Ed evaluation also noted that I struggle with executive function and organization, which, when I fell behind from prolonged absence due to illness, further increased my anxiety.
I knew I was failing and contacted Student Academic Services for help. I met with Joanne, who reviewed my study skills. Her final comment at the end of the meeting was that “I seemed to be doing everything correctly, and she could offer me no help.” I take full responsibility for not following up on this and asking for more help, as I clearly was not doing well. I know it is my responsibility to find other paths to support me until I find success.