Petition Letter
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to ask the Faculty to reconsider the decision to require me to withdraw from the
Faculty of Arts and Sciences for one year I received on May 26, 2026, which came as a shock,
as well as an alert that my input during the past year was still not effective or highly
productive. I understand that the direct reason for this decision was due to my low cGPA.
However, what I want to explain in this letter is that my situation has changed significantly in
the past year if compared with the former terms, and the cGPA from recent two terms does not
fully reflect my current academic status.
Firstly, I want share that my academic difficulties did not happen suddenly. In the early stage
of my entry into the university, I encountered great difficulties in adapting to the learning
style and the pressure of the courses. At the same time, I experienced a long period of
emotional instability and psychological pressure, which gradually affected my ability to
concentrate, organizational skills, and persistence in learning. As a result, I failed or did not
complete many courses from 2023 to 2025. I accept these results. But I also want to make it
clear that during that time, I was not in a stable psychological or emotional state, and I could
not study in a normal student state.
The real important change began in 2025 Fall. That semester was not perfect, but it was the
first time I felt that I was gradually returning to normal learning. I was no longer in a situation
where I could not complete courses at all. I attended the classes regularly, turned in my
homework on time, and achieved the C+, C, and C- results in many subjects. It was a great
deal for me since in contrast to the failures and unfinished courses in the past terms, I made
considerable progress. But once again, I have to admit that this Fall term was rather
emotionally hard for me. After receiving the first academic withdrawal decision which was
made in May 2025 I remember, I always studied having a lot of fear. Not only do I consider
what I am learning today, but also fear what might happen to me if I fail. Before taking the
exam, I tended to suffer insomnia and imagine myself getting terrible results even though I
had been trying to maintain stability spending longer time on studies.
But then in 2026 Winter, I made even more progress. Specifically, I got an A- in CISC 102,
passed ECON 110B (D), which was F in the previous term. Analyzing the results of this term
for myself, I can say that its importance cannot be underestimated, because for the first time
in my life, this term proved one important aspect that I was unable to prove in my life here.
That is, when my mental state is quite stable, I definitely have a capability to obtain good
results. This is not only an example of my successful studies, but also an indicator that my
capability to study remains in me. However, I also have a lot of issues in some subjects, such
as FM114, and, consequently, I also react strongly to stress when taking exams. As before, I
have sleep disorders before exam, as well as stomach pain and mental exhaustion due to
excessive stress. Although this term is not perfect, but it is obviously different from my
previous state of continuous failure.
Though there is an improvement in the GPA since the previous two terms, it is not enough to
bring the total GPA above 1.60. It is very clear why it is so because the weight of failures and
incomplete courses during the first three years cannot be easily overcome in terms of a quick
improvement. However, I believe that the Faculty can realize that the cGPA is the result of a
past record, but the performance is something that reflects my current performance. As a
matter of fact, from 2025 Fall to 2026 Winter, my performance pattern has changed from
repeated failure and incompletes to completion of several courses with better grades. This
change is real and important to me, indicating a continuous, positive improvement, even if the
overall GPA is still low.
On the other hand, I would like to share the changes that occurred in my personal life as well.
Emotional problems that I was struggling with have been overcome for the most part already.
Furthermore, I have begun receiving continuous counselling sessions and am trying to
construct my daily schedule again. I do exercises on a more consistent basis and attempt to
maintain an appropriate sleep regimen as well. Communication with my family has become
more steady, and in general, the conditions have improved compared to before. However, I
must also honestly state that recovery is not linear. Namely, I still have issues when I come
across challenging conditions in the academic process, such as exams or their outcomes. Yet,
now I can identify this state earlier and try to adjust it before the problem worsens.
Unlike in the previous year, I did not just hope for improvement to come. Instead, I took the
responsibility to reconnect with my education process. When I faced issues, I sought guidance
from my professors/TAs and tried to follow the course. Moreover, I attempted to recover the
lost credits by registering for courses in the other institution over the summer; however, the
cGPA was an obstacle for me to enroll into the courses provided by the institution. Even if it
was unsuccessful, it indicated that I did make an attempt to better improve my academic
standing. As for the summer holiday, I continued the psychological assistance, physical
exercises, and sought internships in my area. Up until now, I have not found a suitable
internship, but I will keep to search for the proper position. Such behavior is crucial for me
since it shows that I am no longer escaping from the problems and building myself back
again.
I also have to be honest in revealing the issues that I still face. The issue is the lack of
consideration on my part when selecting courses that I can tackle. This involves assessing the
complexity of the course and my psychological well-being at the time of selection. Before the
beginning of each term in the future, I will communicate with the academic advisor, carefully
review the curriculum, workload and assessment structure, and choose the course that is more
suitable for my current situation. I will also reduce the course burden when necessary to
ensure stable performance. I will continue to receive psychological counseling and identify
stress signals as early as possible, especially before the exam, so as to seek help in time.
I fully understand that the Faculty must maintain academic standards, and I am not asking to
ignore these standards. I hope the Faculty will consider my recent real changes. Since 2025
Fall, I have changed from repeated failures to a stable completion of the course, and achieved
an A- in 2026 Winter, which implies that my standing is beginning to recover.
Should I be required to leave my studies, I feel it might disrupt the process which has only
just begun in both my academics and mental stability. However, should I be permitted to
pursue further studies under probation, I am confident that steady progress will be made in
time for me. I sincerely hope for a further chance to prove my ability in a better, healthier
condition.
Thank you very much for considering my situation.
Yours sincerely,
Wang Yuan
I am writing to ask the Faculty to reconsider the decision to require me to withdraw from the
Faculty of Arts and Sciences for one year I received on May 26, 2026, which came as a shock,
as well as an alert that my input during the past year was still not effective or highly
productive. I understand that the direct reason for this decision was due to my low cGPA.
However, what I want to explain in this letter is that my situation has changed significantly in
the past year if compared with the former terms, and the cGPA from recent two terms does not
fully reflect my current academic status.
Firstly, I want share that my academic difficulties did not happen suddenly. In the early stage
of my entry into the university, I encountered great difficulties in adapting to the learning
style and the pressure of the courses. At the same time, I experienced a long period of
emotional instability and psychological pressure, which gradually affected my ability to
concentrate, organizational skills, and persistence in learning. As a result, I failed or did not
complete many courses from 2023 to 2025. I accept these results. But I also want to make it
clear that during that time, I was not in a stable psychological or emotional state, and I could
not study in a normal student state.
The real important change began in 2025 Fall. That semester was not perfect, but it was the
first time I felt that I was gradually returning to normal learning. I was no longer in a situation
where I could not complete courses at all. I attended the classes regularly, turned in my
homework on time, and achieved the C+, C, and C- results in many subjects. It was a great
deal for me since in contrast to the failures and unfinished courses in the past terms, I made
considerable progress. But once again, I have to admit that this Fall term was rather
emotionally hard for me. After receiving the first academic withdrawal decision which was
made in May 2025 I remember, I always studied having a lot of fear. Not only do I consider
what I am learning today, but also fear what might happen to me if I fail. Before taking the
exam, I tended to suffer insomnia and imagine myself getting terrible results even though I
had been trying to maintain stability spending longer time on studies.
But then in 2026 Winter, I made even more progress. Specifically, I got an A- in CISC 102,
passed ECON 110B (D), which was F in the previous term. Analyzing the results of this term
for myself, I can say that its importance cannot be underestimated, because for the first time
in my life, this term proved one important aspect that I was unable to prove in my life here.
That is, when my mental state is quite stable, I definitely have a capability to obtain good
results. This is not only an example of my successful studies, but also an indicator that my
capability to study remains in me. However, I also have a lot of issues in some subjects, such
as FM114, and, consequently, I also react strongly to stress when taking exams. As before, I
have sleep disorders before exam, as well as stomach pain and mental exhaustion due to
excessive stress. Although this term is not perfect, but it is obviously different from my
previous state of continuous failure.
Though there is an improvement in the GPA since the previous two terms, it is not enough to
bring the total GPA above 1.60. It is very clear why it is so because the weight of failures and
incomplete courses during the first three years cannot be easily overcome in terms of a quick
improvement. However, I believe that the Faculty can realize that the cGPA is the result of a
past record, but the performance is something that reflects my current performance. As a
matter of fact, from 2025 Fall to 2026 Winter, my performance pattern has changed from
repeated failure and incompletes to completion of several courses with better grades. This
change is real and important to me, indicating a continuous, positive improvement, even if the
overall GPA is still low.
On the other hand, I would like to share the changes that occurred in my personal life as well.
Emotional problems that I was struggling with have been overcome for the most part already.
Furthermore, I have begun receiving continuous counselling sessions and am trying to
construct my daily schedule again. I do exercises on a more consistent basis and attempt to
maintain an appropriate sleep regimen as well. Communication with my family has become
more steady, and in general, the conditions have improved compared to before. However, I
must also honestly state that recovery is not linear. Namely, I still have issues when I come
across challenging conditions in the academic process, such as exams or their outcomes. Yet,
now I can identify this state earlier and try to adjust it before the problem worsens.
Unlike in the previous year, I did not just hope for improvement to come. Instead, I took the
responsibility to reconnect with my education process. When I faced issues, I sought guidance
from my professors/TAs and tried to follow the course. Moreover, I attempted to recover the
lost credits by registering for courses in the other institution over the summer; however, the
cGPA was an obstacle for me to enroll into the courses provided by the institution. Even if it
was unsuccessful, it indicated that I did make an attempt to better improve my academic
standing. As for the summer holiday, I continued the psychological assistance, physical
exercises, and sought internships in my area. Up until now, I have not found a suitable
internship, but I will keep to search for the proper position. Such behavior is crucial for me
since it shows that I am no longer escaping from the problems and building myself back
again.
I also have to be honest in revealing the issues that I still face. The issue is the lack of
consideration on my part when selecting courses that I can tackle. This involves assessing the
complexity of the course and my psychological well-being at the time of selection. Before the
beginning of each term in the future, I will communicate with the academic advisor, carefully
review the curriculum, workload and assessment structure, and choose the course that is more
suitable for my current situation. I will also reduce the course burden when necessary to
ensure stable performance. I will continue to receive psychological counseling and identify
stress signals as early as possible, especially before the exam, so as to seek help in time.
I fully understand that the Faculty must maintain academic standards, and I am not asking to
ignore these standards. I hope the Faculty will consider my recent real changes. Since 2025
Fall, I have changed from repeated failures to a stable completion of the course, and achieved
an A- in 2026 Winter, which implies that my standing is beginning to recover.
Should I be required to leave my studies, I feel it might disrupt the process which has only
just begun in both my academics and mental stability. However, should I be permitted to
pursue further studies under probation, I am confident that steady progress will be made in
time for me. I sincerely hope for a further chance to prove my ability in a better, healthier
condition.
Thank you very much for considering my situation.
Yours sincerely,
Wang Yuan