Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to you to request an extension of an incomplete standing in BIOL 440.
In the spring of 2014, I experienced physical illness that was stressful and emotionally tiring, eventually manifesting itself as an anxiety disorder. Although the physical illness was resolved over the summer of 2014, the mental illness remained. When I returned to school in the fall, my illness was such that evaluations worth a significant amount of my mark were completely overwhelming. When I attempted the work or in some cases even just thought about it, I shut down mentally, and I was completely unable to do the work. I was in distress and was on the verge of dropping out of Queen's. I decided to reduce my course load to only three courses. Of these courses, I was able to complete one and was granted an incomplete standing in the remaining two (BIOL 440 and BIOL421). I was able to write the final exam for BIOL421 during the winter 2015 exam period, which is why I am only appealing BIOL 440 at this time.
Although mental illness is something that I have struggled with in the past, I have made great strides in the past year. It turned out that the anti-anxiety medication I had been taking in 2014 was actually doing more harm than good. Last Christmas break I made the decision to stop taking the medication, and began feeling much better. I explored non-medication methods of addressing my illness such as undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy throughout the year to help me develop coping strategies and prevent anxiety attacks. This past term I was able to take a full course load, completed all of the coursework for all five courses, and achieved outstanding results. However, I was not able to complete the work for BIOL 440 on top of the work for these five courses.
Until now, thinking about BIOL 440 and the F on my transcript triggered my anxiety and I was not ready to face them. However, I have learned to use a technique where I desensitize myself to what scares me in my imagination, making it possible for me to address these issues in real life. The desensitization technique, my success this term, and my overall improved ability to control my illness have made me confident that I am ready to address the outstanding work for BIOL 440 if you will give me another chance. I am planning to graduate in June of this year, and am hoping to apply to graduate school next year. I would like to be able to prove to myself, Dr. Lougheed, and my future grad school that I am capable of succeeding in this course. I am not sure how long an appeal takes to process, but in terms of a timeline for completing the work, I would like to have everything submitted by Friday, February 19th, 2015.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon
Sincerely,
Tessa Spicer
I am writing to you to request an extension of an incomplete standing in BIOL 440.
In the spring of 2014, I experienced physical illness that was stressful and emotionally tiring, eventually manifesting itself as an anxiety disorder. Although the physical illness was resolved over the summer of 2014, the mental illness remained. When I returned to school in the fall, my illness was such that evaluations worth a significant amount of my mark were completely overwhelming. When I attempted the work or in some cases even just thought about it, I shut down mentally, and I was completely unable to do the work. I was in distress and was on the verge of dropping out of Queen's. I decided to reduce my course load to only three courses. Of these courses, I was able to complete one and was granted an incomplete standing in the remaining two (BIOL 440 and BIOL421). I was able to write the final exam for BIOL421 during the winter 2015 exam period, which is why I am only appealing BIOL 440 at this time.
Although mental illness is something that I have struggled with in the past, I have made great strides in the past year. It turned out that the anti-anxiety medication I had been taking in 2014 was actually doing more harm than good. Last Christmas break I made the decision to stop taking the medication, and began feeling much better. I explored non-medication methods of addressing my illness such as undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy throughout the year to help me develop coping strategies and prevent anxiety attacks. This past term I was able to take a full course load, completed all of the coursework for all five courses, and achieved outstanding results. However, I was not able to complete the work for BIOL 440 on top of the work for these five courses.
Until now, thinking about BIOL 440 and the F on my transcript triggered my anxiety and I was not ready to face them. However, I have learned to use a technique where I desensitize myself to what scares me in my imagination, making it possible for me to address these issues in real life. The desensitization technique, my success this term, and my overall improved ability to control my illness have made me confident that I am ready to address the outstanding work for BIOL 440 if you will give me another chance. I am planning to graduate in June of this year, and am hoping to apply to graduate school next year. I would like to be able to prove to myself, Dr. Lougheed, and my future grad school that I am capable of succeeding in this course. I am not sure how long an appeal takes to process, but in terms of a timeline for completing the work, I would like to have everything submitted by Friday, February 19th, 2015.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon
Sincerely,
Tessa Spicer