Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing to drop two courses from the Fall 2015 term. The courses that I am appealing to drop are FILM 240 and GNDS 215, both of which are the online sections.
Unfortunately there have been personal events beyond my control which have greatly affected my academic performance this term. The extenuating circumstance which has affected my work in both GNDS 215 and FILM 240 this term, is my challenge with mental health. During weeks eight and nine of this term, I experienced a great deal of anxiety and depression because of personal circumstances, which were greatly exacerbated by my continuing challenges with mental health. During these weeks my ability to do homework was greatly affected as I was experiencing difficulties in aspects of everyday life. Unfortunately, because of these circumstances, I was unable to complete two assignments which were due during week 10 of the term. The assignment for GNDS 215 that I was unable to submit was the first part of a two part submission that was worth 20 of my final grade in the course, and the assignment for FILM 240 that I was unable to submit was also worth 20 of my final grade in the course. I experienced severe challenges with my mental health during weeks eight, nine, ten and eleven of this term.
I did take steps to deal with the extenuating circumstances. I tried to drop the courses myself, but by the time I had realized that this was the practical step, it was past the drop date for this term and I was unable to drop them on SOLUS. I attended a meeting with an academic adviser to learn about the appeal process and what that would mean for my future academic plans. I also set up and attended my appointment with the Education Counsellor at Duncan McArthur, who I had seen on more than one occasion already during the term. I also set up an appointment with my family doctor to discuss the treatment options for my mental health and how I could continue to work through these challenges on a daily basis.
Because my mental health is an ongoing and more severe circumstance, I do plan to make personal adjustments so that I may succeed in my studies in the future. As far as academics, I will be taking two or more courses during the Summer 2016 term so that I may have a lighter course load during the Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 terms. Having a lighter course load will allow me to focus more attentively on each individual course and will not be as overwhelming when it comes time for assignment submissions and exams. For the Winter 2016 term, I will continue to see the Education Counsellor at Duncan McArthur on a regular basis and I will maintain regular appointments with a medical professional to discuss the ongoing treatment of my mental health and any adjustments in the treatment that may be necessary. These plans for the future will support my academic goals because they will help me gain better control when the mental health challenges become severe, and will also help me prevent overwhelming situations and learn to deal with them when they do arise because of something beyond my control. Being able to better work through the daily challenges I face because of my mental health, will positively impact my ability to complete the work for my courses, and will ensure that a situation such as this does not happen again.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration, I greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Kaitlin Mullarky
I am appealing to drop two courses from the Fall 2015 term. The courses that I am appealing to drop are FILM 240 and GNDS 215, both of which are the online sections.
Unfortunately there have been personal events beyond my control which have greatly affected my academic performance this term. The extenuating circumstance which has affected my work in both GNDS 215 and FILM 240 this term, is my challenge with mental health. During weeks eight and nine of this term, I experienced a great deal of anxiety and depression because of personal circumstances, which were greatly exacerbated by my continuing challenges with mental health. During these weeks my ability to do homework was greatly affected as I was experiencing difficulties in aspects of everyday life. Unfortunately, because of these circumstances, I was unable to complete two assignments which were due during week 10 of the term. The assignment for GNDS 215 that I was unable to submit was the first part of a two part submission that was worth 20 of my final grade in the course, and the assignment for FILM 240 that I was unable to submit was also worth 20 of my final grade in the course. I experienced severe challenges with my mental health during weeks eight, nine, ten and eleven of this term.
I did take steps to deal with the extenuating circumstances. I tried to drop the courses myself, but by the time I had realized that this was the practical step, it was past the drop date for this term and I was unable to drop them on SOLUS. I attended a meeting with an academic adviser to learn about the appeal process and what that would mean for my future academic plans. I also set up and attended my appointment with the Education Counsellor at Duncan McArthur, who I had seen on more than one occasion already during the term. I also set up an appointment with my family doctor to discuss the treatment options for my mental health and how I could continue to work through these challenges on a daily basis.
Because my mental health is an ongoing and more severe circumstance, I do plan to make personal adjustments so that I may succeed in my studies in the future. As far as academics, I will be taking two or more courses during the Summer 2016 term so that I may have a lighter course load during the Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 terms. Having a lighter course load will allow me to focus more attentively on each individual course and will not be as overwhelming when it comes time for assignment submissions and exams. For the Winter 2016 term, I will continue to see the Education Counsellor at Duncan McArthur on a regular basis and I will maintain regular appointments with a medical professional to discuss the ongoing treatment of my mental health and any adjustments in the treatment that may be necessary. These plans for the future will support my academic goals because they will help me gain better control when the mental health challenges become severe, and will also help me prevent overwhelming situations and learn to deal with them when they do arise because of something beyond my control. Being able to better work through the daily challenges I face because of my mental health, will positively impact my ability to complete the work for my courses, and will ensure that a situation such as this does not happen again.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration, I greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Kaitlin Mullarky