Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Bénard,
I am writing you to appeal for credit standing on the grades I received for CHEM 281 and BIOL 205.
In first semester of third year I was working to complete credits in five courses. During the midterm season, I studied very hard for the midterm in my Animal Physiology class, which took place in the second week of October. When the grade was returned to me I had received a 25. After receiving this grade, even after I had studied hard for the exam, I became extremely discouraged, not only in that course, but all of my courses. I began to think that there was no point in attending class or studying. It got to the point where I was missing labs and multiple classes because I did not want to get out of bed. After missing so many classes and labs, I was unable to make up the work that I had fallen behind on and just stopped trying to catch up. After two months of attending only about half of my mandatory classes and labs , I started to start studying for final exams. Although I studied very hard for my final exams, having finally come to my senses, I still did very poorly in a few of my classes. I did not seek help from a counselor, although in retrospect I should have turned to someone to help me with my problems, instead of allowing it to escalate to the level that it did. As a result of my lack of initiative, I was unable to take BIOL 206 in second semester, because attaining a C- in BIOL 205is required for the course. As well, I was then unable to take BIOL 303, due to a stipulation of the prerequisite (BIOL 206) being taken in concurrence with the course.
Looking back at how poorly I preformed and how easily discouraged I got, I have taken a few steps to make sure this does not happen again. First, I have gone to see an academic advisor to discuss how I can succeed this semester. I have decided to take a lighter course load to make sure I have ample time to study and manage assignments. I have opted to take a six unit online course, which allows me to have lots of free time for readings in both the online course and my two in-class courses. Furthermore, I am seeking help from a counselor in Student Wellness Services to discuss how I can manage the anxiety and stress that comes with the amount of work I must get done, as well as help me plan for time management more effectively. I am also planning to retake Human Musculoskeletal System Anatomy in first semester of next year to receive a passing grade, as I will be more focused and motivated. Finally, I am asking for a letter of permission from the faculty of Arts and Science to allow me to retake BIOL 205 in the summer at another university. After meeting with an academic advisor about the situation I had found myself in, I do believe that receiving credit standing in these two courses while trying to improve my grade in them, and other classes, will absolutely benefit my academic future here at Queen¿¿s.
Thank you for considering my appeal, I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Kristen Murray
10160356
I am writing you to appeal for credit standing on the grades I received for CHEM 281 and BIOL 205.
In first semester of third year I was working to complete credits in five courses. During the midterm season, I studied very hard for the midterm in my Animal Physiology class, which took place in the second week of October. When the grade was returned to me I had received a 25. After receiving this grade, even after I had studied hard for the exam, I became extremely discouraged, not only in that course, but all of my courses. I began to think that there was no point in attending class or studying. It got to the point where I was missing labs and multiple classes because I did not want to get out of bed. After missing so many classes and labs, I was unable to make up the work that I had fallen behind on and just stopped trying to catch up. After two months of attending only about half of my mandatory classes and labs , I started to start studying for final exams. Although I studied very hard for my final exams, having finally come to my senses, I still did very poorly in a few of my classes. I did not seek help from a counselor, although in retrospect I should have turned to someone to help me with my problems, instead of allowing it to escalate to the level that it did. As a result of my lack of initiative, I was unable to take BIOL 206 in second semester, because attaining a C- in BIOL 205is required for the course. As well, I was then unable to take BIOL 303, due to a stipulation of the prerequisite (BIOL 206) being taken in concurrence with the course.
Looking back at how poorly I preformed and how easily discouraged I got, I have taken a few steps to make sure this does not happen again. First, I have gone to see an academic advisor to discuss how I can succeed this semester. I have decided to take a lighter course load to make sure I have ample time to study and manage assignments. I have opted to take a six unit online course, which allows me to have lots of free time for readings in both the online course and my two in-class courses. Furthermore, I am seeking help from a counselor in Student Wellness Services to discuss how I can manage the anxiety and stress that comes with the amount of work I must get done, as well as help me plan for time management more effectively. I am also planning to retake Human Musculoskeletal System Anatomy in first semester of next year to receive a passing grade, as I will be more focused and motivated. Finally, I am asking for a letter of permission from the faculty of Arts and Science to allow me to retake BIOL 205 in the summer at another university. After meeting with an academic advisor about the situation I had found myself in, I do believe that receiving credit standing in these two courses while trying to improve my grade in them, and other classes, will absolutely benefit my academic future here at Queen¿¿s.
Thank you for considering my appeal, I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Kristen Murray
10160356