Petition Letter
Dear Dean,
I am writing to formally petition for academic appeal for three courses from the Fall semester: CISC 101, HLTH 101, and COGS 100, due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond handling. Specifically, I am requesting a late drop for CISC 101 and HLTH 101, and a Credit (CR) for COGS 100.
Last semester, I experienced a significant decline in my mental health that severely affected my ability to engage in coursework. If I had to give it a severity rating I'd say either 9 or 10 out of 10. These challenges were long-lasting and deeply disruptive, affecting my academic work from early in the semester (about 2 weeks in) through to the end. While I initially believed I could manage and recover enough to pass and not fail, I now understand that I was not well enough to succeed, and my decision to stay enrolled was based on hope rather than reality.
The effects of my mental health struggles were overwhelming. I had immense difficulty with concentration, motivation, and energy. I could not focus during lectures or complete assignments effectively and even lost the ability to show up to class eventually, I lost interest in activities I once enjoyed and had trouble maintaining a basic daily routine, as well both my normal eating habits and sleeping habits declined severely. As well having thoughts of self harm. These symptoms interfered with all three courses, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the material or perform to the best of my abilities.
Contributing to this decline was the emotional difficulty of being away from the people I love most, my family and close friends. The people who help me be who I am and help get through things, alongside a failed effort to establish a support system. After being ditched and losing multiple friends and friend groups earlier on at Queen’s, I became increasingly isolated and detached from my environment. These issues compounded my mental health challenges, and my sense of disconnection also extended to my academic program, which I found myself disengaging from more and more.
At the time, I did not seek a course drop before the official deadline because I believed I still had a chance to turn things around. I now see that my judgment was clouded by my mental health and that continuing in those courses ultimately harmed both my academic record and well-being.
I have started taking steps toward recovery. I recently reached out to Queen’s Mental Health Services and as well I will be proceeding through hospital-based therapy with a doctor during my time off school, which I hope will provide more structured and intensive support.
Also to note, I am registered with QSAS for my severe ADHD disability that has also contributed to my academic problems and severe mental health problems.
I am prepared to submit documentation that I have from Queen’s mental health professionals to confirm the duration and impact of these circumstances.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my petition. I appreciate your understanding and support as I work toward recovery and I know it's hard for me to have the ability to talk about my situation but I'm okay I did because at least I know someone will be reading this and hear me.
Sincerely,
Zachary Brandes
20468219
23txs1@queensu.ca
I am writing to formally petition for academic appeal for three courses from the Fall semester: CISC 101, HLTH 101, and COGS 100, due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond handling. Specifically, I am requesting a late drop for CISC 101 and HLTH 101, and a Credit (CR) for COGS 100.
Last semester, I experienced a significant decline in my mental health that severely affected my ability to engage in coursework. If I had to give it a severity rating I'd say either 9 or 10 out of 10. These challenges were long-lasting and deeply disruptive, affecting my academic work from early in the semester (about 2 weeks in) through to the end. While I initially believed I could manage and recover enough to pass and not fail, I now understand that I was not well enough to succeed, and my decision to stay enrolled was based on hope rather than reality.
The effects of my mental health struggles were overwhelming. I had immense difficulty with concentration, motivation, and energy. I could not focus during lectures or complete assignments effectively and even lost the ability to show up to class eventually, I lost interest in activities I once enjoyed and had trouble maintaining a basic daily routine, as well both my normal eating habits and sleeping habits declined severely. As well having thoughts of self harm. These symptoms interfered with all three courses, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the material or perform to the best of my abilities.
Contributing to this decline was the emotional difficulty of being away from the people I love most, my family and close friends. The people who help me be who I am and help get through things, alongside a failed effort to establish a support system. After being ditched and losing multiple friends and friend groups earlier on at Queen’s, I became increasingly isolated and detached from my environment. These issues compounded my mental health challenges, and my sense of disconnection also extended to my academic program, which I found myself disengaging from more and more.
At the time, I did not seek a course drop before the official deadline because I believed I still had a chance to turn things around. I now see that my judgment was clouded by my mental health and that continuing in those courses ultimately harmed both my academic record and well-being.
I have started taking steps toward recovery. I recently reached out to Queen’s Mental Health Services and as well I will be proceeding through hospital-based therapy with a doctor during my time off school, which I hope will provide more structured and intensive support.
Also to note, I am registered with QSAS for my severe ADHD disability that has also contributed to my academic problems and severe mental health problems.
I am prepared to submit documentation that I have from Queen’s mental health professionals to confirm the duration and impact of these circumstances.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my petition. I appreciate your understanding and support as I work toward recovery and I know it's hard for me to have the ability to talk about my situation but I'm okay I did because at least I know someone will be reading this and hear me.
Sincerely,
Zachary Brandes
20468219
23txs1@queensu.ca