Petition Letter
Petition to Waive the Petition Deadline and Request for Consideration
To the Associate Dean,
I respectfully submit this letter to request that the Faculty consider allowing me to submit a late petition regarding my Required to Withdraw standing. I understand that I have missed the petition deadline, and I sincerely apologize for doing so. I hope to explain both the circumstances that affected my academic performance and why I only became aware of my current situation recently.
When I first began my studies at Queen’s University, I faced challenges that I was not prepared for. It was my first time living away from home, my first experience living in a university residence, and my first experience adapting to university life in Canada. In addition, I arrived approximately one month after the semester had already begun. By the time I started attending classes, I had already missed a significant amount of course content. I struggled to understand the university’s learning systems, including where course materials were posted, how assignments were submitted, and how to keep up with the pace of my classes.
As I fell further behind, I gradually became overwhelmed and lost confidence in my ability to catch up. Instead of asking for help, I began avoiding classes because I felt that I was already too far behind. My difficulty adapting to a completely new environment, feelings of isolation, unhealthy routines, and the pressure of living independently made it increasingly difficult for me to concentrate on my studies. Looking back, I fully recognize that I should have sought academic support much earlier, and I take full responsibility for not doing so.
After completing my required withdrawal period, I was extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to return to Queen’s. Although my adjustment was not immediate, I gradually rebuilt my confidence and developed much healthier academic habits. Since returning, I have learned how to manage my coursework, submit assignments on time, prepare before classes, and review lecture materials consistently. Every day after class, I review the lecture slides carefully until I can explain the concepts in my own words. This has become my daily study routine and reflects how differently I now approach my education compared with my first attempt at university.
Beginning in September 2025, I experienced a significant change in my mindset. I developed clear academic goals and began treating my education with the seriousness and responsibility it deserves. While I continued to face personal challenges, including the emotional stress caused by my grandfather’s hospitalization in early 2025, I remained committed to completing my coursework and made meaningful academic progress. Although my recent academic record is not perfect, I believe it demonstrates genuine improvement and a much stronger commitment to my studies than in the past.
Regarding the petition deadline, I sincerely acknowledge that I should have paid much closer attention to my university communications. After returning to my studies, I genuinely believed that I had resumed my academic program successfully and did not fully understand that my previous academic standing remained subject to specific progression requirements. Because of this misunderstanding, I failed to recognize the importance of the academic standing communications sent to my Queen’s email account. It was only when I discovered the hold on my SOLUS account that I realized the seriousness of my situation. As soon as I became aware of it, I immediately reviewed my academic standing letter, contacted the Faculty, and began seeking advice regarding whether there was still any opportunity to request consideration. I fully accept responsibility for this oversight.
This petition is not an attempt to avoid responsibility for my past mistakes. Rather, it is a sincere request for the opportunity to demonstrate that I have learned from those mistakes and have become a more capable, mature, and responsible student. I understand that another opportunity must be earned through my actions rather than my words.
If I am fortunate enough to receive another opportunity, I will continue the study habits that I have developed over the past year. I will attend classes consistently, review course material every day, complete assignments on time, prepare before lectures, and actively seek help from my instructors and Academic Advisors whenever necessary. I understand what is required to succeed at university, and I am fully committed to meeting those expectations through consistent academic performance.
Completing my degree has become one of the most important goals in my life. My goal is to graduate in the summer of 2028, not simply to earn a degree, but to build the future that I have been working toward. More importantly, I want to demonstrate that I have grown from my past mistakes and am capable of succeeding at Queen’s University. I respectfully ask the Faculty to consider the progress I have made, the responsibility I now accept for my past decisions, and the commitment I have shown in rebuilding my academic life.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my petition and for considering my request. I sincerely appreciate your time, understanding, and any opportunity to demonstrate that I am now prepared to succeed.
Respectfully,
Bruce Li
Student Number: 20343621
To the Associate Dean,
I respectfully submit this letter to request that the Faculty consider allowing me to submit a late petition regarding my Required to Withdraw standing. I understand that I have missed the petition deadline, and I sincerely apologize for doing so. I hope to explain both the circumstances that affected my academic performance and why I only became aware of my current situation recently.
When I first began my studies at Queen’s University, I faced challenges that I was not prepared for. It was my first time living away from home, my first experience living in a university residence, and my first experience adapting to university life in Canada. In addition, I arrived approximately one month after the semester had already begun. By the time I started attending classes, I had already missed a significant amount of course content. I struggled to understand the university’s learning systems, including where course materials were posted, how assignments were submitted, and how to keep up with the pace of my classes.
As I fell further behind, I gradually became overwhelmed and lost confidence in my ability to catch up. Instead of asking for help, I began avoiding classes because I felt that I was already too far behind. My difficulty adapting to a completely new environment, feelings of isolation, unhealthy routines, and the pressure of living independently made it increasingly difficult for me to concentrate on my studies. Looking back, I fully recognize that I should have sought academic support much earlier, and I take full responsibility for not doing so.
After completing my required withdrawal period, I was extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to return to Queen’s. Although my adjustment was not immediate, I gradually rebuilt my confidence and developed much healthier academic habits. Since returning, I have learned how to manage my coursework, submit assignments on time, prepare before classes, and review lecture materials consistently. Every day after class, I review the lecture slides carefully until I can explain the concepts in my own words. This has become my daily study routine and reflects how differently I now approach my education compared with my first attempt at university.
Beginning in September 2025, I experienced a significant change in my mindset. I developed clear academic goals and began treating my education with the seriousness and responsibility it deserves. While I continued to face personal challenges, including the emotional stress caused by my grandfather’s hospitalization in early 2025, I remained committed to completing my coursework and made meaningful academic progress. Although my recent academic record is not perfect, I believe it demonstrates genuine improvement and a much stronger commitment to my studies than in the past.
Regarding the petition deadline, I sincerely acknowledge that I should have paid much closer attention to my university communications. After returning to my studies, I genuinely believed that I had resumed my academic program successfully and did not fully understand that my previous academic standing remained subject to specific progression requirements. Because of this misunderstanding, I failed to recognize the importance of the academic standing communications sent to my Queen’s email account. It was only when I discovered the hold on my SOLUS account that I realized the seriousness of my situation. As soon as I became aware of it, I immediately reviewed my academic standing letter, contacted the Faculty, and began seeking advice regarding whether there was still any opportunity to request consideration. I fully accept responsibility for this oversight.
This petition is not an attempt to avoid responsibility for my past mistakes. Rather, it is a sincere request for the opportunity to demonstrate that I have learned from those mistakes and have become a more capable, mature, and responsible student. I understand that another opportunity must be earned through my actions rather than my words.
If I am fortunate enough to receive another opportunity, I will continue the study habits that I have developed over the past year. I will attend classes consistently, review course material every day, complete assignments on time, prepare before lectures, and actively seek help from my instructors and Academic Advisors whenever necessary. I understand what is required to succeed at university, and I am fully committed to meeting those expectations through consistent academic performance.
Completing my degree has become one of the most important goals in my life. My goal is to graduate in the summer of 2028, not simply to earn a degree, but to build the future that I have been working toward. More importantly, I want to demonstrate that I have grown from my past mistakes and am capable of succeeding at Queen’s University. I respectfully ask the Faculty to consider the progress I have made, the responsibility I now accept for my past decisions, and the commitment I have shown in rebuilding my academic life.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my petition and for considering my request. I sincerely appreciate your time, understanding, and any opportunity to demonstrate that I am now prepared to succeed.
Respectfully,
Bruce Li
Student Number: 20343621