Petition Letter
Marlee Satok
127 Grey Road
Toronto, Ontario
M5M 4E9
647-290-8064
April 28, 2016
Queen¿¿s University
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing you today to request an extension of the deadline to submit incomplete work for my outstanding third-year courses on medical grounds. As well, I am requesting changes of my grades on my transcript from ¿¿fails¿ to the grades received for my summer courses. As incomplete grades role over into ¿¿fails¿ if not updated, these grades simply need to be updated with the grade actually achieved.
As you may know, I recently returned home to Toronto after my third year at Queen¿¿s University. My time over the past few years at Queens has been both incredibly difficult and very rewarding. During this time, I have been struggling with a mood disorder that makes it very difficult to manage on a day to day basis. I can have periods of severe depression that last weeks or months at a time, making getting out of bed next to impossible. During these periods of low mood it is very difficult to motivate myself and concentrating on simple tasks such as reading, studying and writing papers becomes a huge challenge. Getting to my classes can be difficult as well. My need for sleep escalates and I find it hard to fight fatigue.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that I also have issues with anxiety. I suffer from periods of anxiety as well as panic attacks. This state makes it challenging to write exams or present projects in front of groups. Anxiety also makes it hard to study.
Despite these issues I remain committed to my academics. I work very hard to stay at Queens where I can study Theology and History. I love the courses I have chosen and feel frustrated that I have not completed the course work as of yet.
I continue to work with my physicians to find the proper medications and therapies. Luckily, my treating physicians have been flexible in my treatment. I have regular skype therapy sessions in Kingston with my doctor in Toronto. As well, my medications have been a focus and I have been switched to a prescription that is not available in Canada. I believe my treatment team is doing everything they can to help me get well. I also returned to Toronto regularly this year to deal with issues that needed to be addressed in person with my doctors.
As in previous years, I have been very involved in campus life at Queens. This year, I took on another senior role at Hillel as well as working park time at the campus pub. Staying socially connected and physically active are very important to my recovery.
This coming year I will continue to be active in the Queens community as the United Way Co-chair, Recruitment Committee Chair and Judicial Affairs Deputy. These activities give me a sense of giving back to the community and positive self-esteem. My physicians strongly encourage me to stay connected as a vital element in achieving balance and structure in my life.
I have worked with disability services over the past few years and wish to continue to work together to create strategies that will lead to a successful future. Strategies such as a class schedule that work with my sleep disorder (hypersomnolence) have been very helpful.
This summer I hope to not only work on my outstanding course material but take summer courses that will allow me to graduate with my classmates next year.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. Yours truly,
Marlee Satok
127 Grey Road
Toronto, Ontario
M5M 4E9
647-290-8064
April 28, 2016
Queen¿¿s University
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing you today to request an extension of the deadline to submit incomplete work for my outstanding third-year courses on medical grounds. As well, I am requesting changes of my grades on my transcript from ¿¿fails¿ to the grades received for my summer courses. As incomplete grades role over into ¿¿fails¿ if not updated, these grades simply need to be updated with the grade actually achieved.
As you may know, I recently returned home to Toronto after my third year at Queen¿¿s University. My time over the past few years at Queens has been both incredibly difficult and very rewarding. During this time, I have been struggling with a mood disorder that makes it very difficult to manage on a day to day basis. I can have periods of severe depression that last weeks or months at a time, making getting out of bed next to impossible. During these periods of low mood it is very difficult to motivate myself and concentrating on simple tasks such as reading, studying and writing papers becomes a huge challenge. Getting to my classes can be difficult as well. My need for sleep escalates and I find it hard to fight fatigue.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that I also have issues with anxiety. I suffer from periods of anxiety as well as panic attacks. This state makes it challenging to write exams or present projects in front of groups. Anxiety also makes it hard to study.
Despite these issues I remain committed to my academics. I work very hard to stay at Queens where I can study Theology and History. I love the courses I have chosen and feel frustrated that I have not completed the course work as of yet.
I continue to work with my physicians to find the proper medications and therapies. Luckily, my treating physicians have been flexible in my treatment. I have regular skype therapy sessions in Kingston with my doctor in Toronto. As well, my medications have been a focus and I have been switched to a prescription that is not available in Canada. I believe my treatment team is doing everything they can to help me get well. I also returned to Toronto regularly this year to deal with issues that needed to be addressed in person with my doctors.
As in previous years, I have been very involved in campus life at Queens. This year, I took on another senior role at Hillel as well as working park time at the campus pub. Staying socially connected and physically active are very important to my recovery.
This coming year I will continue to be active in the Queens community as the United Way Co-chair, Recruitment Committee Chair and Judicial Affairs Deputy. These activities give me a sense of giving back to the community and positive self-esteem. My physicians strongly encourage me to stay connected as a vital element in achieving balance and structure in my life.
I have worked with disability services over the past few years and wish to continue to work together to create strategies that will lead to a successful future. Strategies such as a class schedule that work with my sleep disorder (hypersomnolence) have been very helpful.
This summer I hope to not only work on my outstanding course material but take summer courses that will allow me to graduate with my classmates next year.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. Yours truly,
Marlee Satok