Petition Letter
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D June 14, 2024
Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen’s University
Dear Dr. Stephenson,
I am petitioning the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s University for a minimum of one year.
In the two years that I have spent at Queen’s, I gradually became increasingly, yet unconsciously, more unable to be self-sufficient. Starting in first year, I came into university with my own expectations of my abilities and my idea of university life. I came to realize in the winter term of first year (2023) that my ability to ‘glide by’ like I had done previously with academics was failing me. With more assignments that are to be completed weekly, more content per hour of lecture and less support, each week I got more behind. Once I noticed this, it got harder for me to be able to get myself back on track while simultaneously becoming overwhelmed. Also, having never faced academic difficulties before I wasn’t sure how to deal with it.
I went into second year with a better attitude but then began to notice how far behind I was from first year. A fundamental problem with my approach was being unwilling to ask for outside help due to how ashamed I felt about doing poorly. I had the mentality that I would be able to catch-up by myself even though I was avoidant when having to actually complete the work. In the 2024 winter term, it felt insurmountable to leave my bedroom most days, I wasn’t functioning as a person nevermind as a student. This is what pushed me to try pharmacology in the middle of March in preparation for the final exams.
I have been consulting with my psychiatrist, Dr. Wesley Friesen since 2021. Prior to this, I did not feel that I needed to take medication to alleviate my situation and was nervous of the side effects. On March 10, I was prescribed medication (clonazepam) to help manage my avoidant anxiety and depression symptoms.
During the course of 2023-2024, unbeknownst to me, I started to suffer from iron deficiency. I did not realize this too was causing me to become more fatigued and irritated as the days progressed. This also exasperated my depression and anxiety as these symptoms mirror the symptoms for anemia. I was finally able to secure an appointment with Dr. Letke at CDK Family Medicine Walk-in on March 15, 2024 and referred to Life Labs for blood work on March 19. My bloodwork did confirm that my iron levels were very low (Ferritin was at 10). I was instructed to take iron supplements however this takes about 2-4 weeks for iron levels to improve and 3 months to return to normal but, I did find that I had a large increase in energy within the next month.
Currently, I am still taking iron supplements, my prescribed medication, and have started doing pilates twice a week for 1 hour each. I am also taking 30+ minute walks around my neighborhood five times per week. I am already more engaging with my friends and family since I have returned home. I am also working full-time as an executive assistant in an office in Vancouver.
I plan to use all the academic support from Queens University such as Student Academic Success Services (SASS) and Student Acceptiabilty Services (QSAS). I will meet regularly with an academic advisor to help me on my journey. I will also reduce my course load so I can better focus on a few subjects to help me get back on track and achieve better success. I believe this will also give me more time to focus on my mental health so that I can become more regular with my appointments with Dr. Friesen. I will also have my iron levels monitored every three months to stay on top of fluctuations.
By meeting with an academic advisor, using SASS/QSAS and a reduced course load, I feel this combination will focus me to achieving my goal of completing my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry.
This experience of dealing with mental health and academic challenges has taught me more about who I am than I expected. For the future, I am dedicated to working on facing hardship and reaching out for support to overcome them.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen’s University
Dear Dr. Stephenson,
I am petitioning the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s University for a minimum of one year.
In the two years that I have spent at Queen’s, I gradually became increasingly, yet unconsciously, more unable to be self-sufficient. Starting in first year, I came into university with my own expectations of my abilities and my idea of university life. I came to realize in the winter term of first year (2023) that my ability to ‘glide by’ like I had done previously with academics was failing me. With more assignments that are to be completed weekly, more content per hour of lecture and less support, each week I got more behind. Once I noticed this, it got harder for me to be able to get myself back on track while simultaneously becoming overwhelmed. Also, having never faced academic difficulties before I wasn’t sure how to deal with it.
I went into second year with a better attitude but then began to notice how far behind I was from first year. A fundamental problem with my approach was being unwilling to ask for outside help due to how ashamed I felt about doing poorly. I had the mentality that I would be able to catch-up by myself even though I was avoidant when having to actually complete the work. In the 2024 winter term, it felt insurmountable to leave my bedroom most days, I wasn’t functioning as a person nevermind as a student. This is what pushed me to try pharmacology in the middle of March in preparation for the final exams.
I have been consulting with my psychiatrist, Dr. Wesley Friesen since 2021. Prior to this, I did not feel that I needed to take medication to alleviate my situation and was nervous of the side effects. On March 10, I was prescribed medication (clonazepam) to help manage my avoidant anxiety and depression symptoms.
During the course of 2023-2024, unbeknownst to me, I started to suffer from iron deficiency. I did not realize this too was causing me to become more fatigued and irritated as the days progressed. This also exasperated my depression and anxiety as these symptoms mirror the symptoms for anemia. I was finally able to secure an appointment with Dr. Letke at CDK Family Medicine Walk-in on March 15, 2024 and referred to Life Labs for blood work on March 19. My bloodwork did confirm that my iron levels were very low (Ferritin was at 10). I was instructed to take iron supplements however this takes about 2-4 weeks for iron levels to improve and 3 months to return to normal but, I did find that I had a large increase in energy within the next month.
Currently, I am still taking iron supplements, my prescribed medication, and have started doing pilates twice a week for 1 hour each. I am also taking 30+ minute walks around my neighborhood five times per week. I am already more engaging with my friends and family since I have returned home. I am also working full-time as an executive assistant in an office in Vancouver.
I plan to use all the academic support from Queens University such as Student Academic Success Services (SASS) and Student Acceptiabilty Services (QSAS). I will meet regularly with an academic advisor to help me on my journey. I will also reduce my course load so I can better focus on a few subjects to help me get back on track and achieve better success. I believe this will also give me more time to focus on my mental health so that I can become more regular with my appointments with Dr. Friesen. I will also have my iron levels monitored every three months to stay on top of fluctuations.
By meeting with an academic advisor, using SASS/QSAS and a reduced course load, I feel this combination will focus me to achieving my goal of completing my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry.
This experience of dealing with mental health and academic challenges has taught me more about who I am than I expected. For the future, I am dedicated to working on facing hardship and reaching out for support to overcome them.