Petition Letter
The Request:
I am appealing the policy that upper year studies can only take 6.0 credits at a different university on a Letter of Permission. I would like to take 15.0 credits at the University of Alberta in the Winter 2016 term.
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
The past year I struggled with finding happiness at Queen¿¿s. I would have periods of depression in which I would talk to someone at Health, Counselling and Disability Services. I spoke to three different counsellors over the course of the year about struggling being in Kingston. It got to the point in winter term where I couldn¿¿t handle being in the city any longer and flew back to Saskatchewan for a long weekend. I nearly didn¿¿t come back to write my exams after Easter because I struggle so much being on main campus. I looked into transferring but when it became clear that I would have to take at least one additional year to complete my degree at another school I decided to stay at Queen¿¿s. I still want to get a good education from a reputable institution and finish in a timely manner.
While I have strong grades coming out of the past two years I know that being in an environment where I feel free to be myself would only add to my academic success. I feel more comfortable being on the prairies, where my family and friends are, and where the field I want to pursue is. Being able to spend just a term at the U of A is enough to help me enjoy the next two years more, and being a more mentally healthy person to thrive in classes.
As I want to graduate from a reputable university in 2017 I decided to complete my undergrad at Queen¿¿s. I believe that having one semester closer to home, where I can explore career opportunities, will be rejuvenating. It will give me something to look forward to in the fall term and will be a nice change before I complete my final year.
Future Plan:
I have support from my undergraduate chairs and a letter from Queen¿¿s Health, Counselling and Disability Services supporting my appeal to attend the U of A for a year. The academic plan I have prepared demonstrates that it is possible for me to spend a term away from main campus and still graduate in 2017. I will plan my schedule for the next two years with the guidance of my undergraduate chairs to ensure I graduate on time with the required courses. I have the study that are essential to achieve at the university level and will maintain contact with Queen¿¿s during my time away to ensure I am meeting the high standards our university has for students.
I am appealing the policy that upper year studies can only take 6.0 credits at a different university on a Letter of Permission. I would like to take 15.0 credits at the University of Alberta in the Winter 2016 term.
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
The past year I struggled with finding happiness at Queen¿¿s. I would have periods of depression in which I would talk to someone at Health, Counselling and Disability Services. I spoke to three different counsellors over the course of the year about struggling being in Kingston. It got to the point in winter term where I couldn¿¿t handle being in the city any longer and flew back to Saskatchewan for a long weekend. I nearly didn¿¿t come back to write my exams after Easter because I struggle so much being on main campus. I looked into transferring but when it became clear that I would have to take at least one additional year to complete my degree at another school I decided to stay at Queen¿¿s. I still want to get a good education from a reputable institution and finish in a timely manner.
While I have strong grades coming out of the past two years I know that being in an environment where I feel free to be myself would only add to my academic success. I feel more comfortable being on the prairies, where my family and friends are, and where the field I want to pursue is. Being able to spend just a term at the U of A is enough to help me enjoy the next two years more, and being a more mentally healthy person to thrive in classes.
As I want to graduate from a reputable university in 2017 I decided to complete my undergrad at Queen¿¿s. I believe that having one semester closer to home, where I can explore career opportunities, will be rejuvenating. It will give me something to look forward to in the fall term and will be a nice change before I complete my final year.
Future Plan:
I have support from my undergraduate chairs and a letter from Queen¿¿s Health, Counselling and Disability Services supporting my appeal to attend the U of A for a year. The academic plan I have prepared demonstrates that it is possible for me to spend a term away from main campus and still graduate in 2017. I will plan my schedule for the next two years with the guidance of my undergraduate chairs to ensure I graduate on time with the required courses. I have the study that are essential to achieve at the university level and will maintain contact with Queen¿¿s during my time away to ensure I am meeting the high standards our university has for students.