Petition Letter
June 13, 2016
Dear Associate Dean of Arts and Science,
Re: Scott Dennis 10196138
I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s for one year.
I had a difficult first year at Queen¿¿s. I found myself in a psychological downward spiral that I was unable to pull myself out of. At the end of the summer 2016, just as I entered Queen¿¿s, my family relocated from my childhood home in Montreal to Collingwood, Ontario. I did not expect that this substantial life change would have a dramatic effect on my wellbeing but I felt lost and uprooted. When I was able to go home for visits, I no longer felt secure within my surroundings physically and emotionally. I was trying to cope and adjust with the new surroundings at Queen¿¿s but when I returned home for a break, I did not return to the familiarity of my childhood home and the comfort of my longtime friends. It was strange and new at both places. I also did not fully understand what was happening to me so it was difficult to articulate and even admit. Initially, I felt I was managing but as Christmas approached I knew I was in trouble. I expressed this to my parents at Christmas break and we talked it through. I thought I would be able to pick myself up and rectify the situation. I was unable to go seek out the help I needed. Instead things got steadily worse for me. I realize now that I made a grave mistake not reaching out for help.
I am tree planting for the first time this summer. It has been a grueling and eye opening experience. It has given me a lot of time to reflect on myself and my current situation. These past few months, away from my family, has given me confidence in myself and I feel I have matured.I feel this has been a big summer for me, adapting and adjusting in very tough circumstances but ultimately becoming successful. I feel I am better equipped emotionally to handle the rigors of Queen¿¿s academics.
I know I need to reach out for help. My goal is to make English as my Major and ideally continuing on to Consecutive Ed. I am committed to working with a Learning Strategy counsellor at the Learning Centre at the Stauffer Library as well as make regular visits to the Writing Centre. I will also visit the Advisors at the Student Advising Centre so they can continue to help me achieve my goals and point me in the right direction if I am having any difficulties.
I thank you in advance for considering my appeal. I am committed to this process and I value being a student at Queen¿¿s.
Sincerely,
Scott Dennis
cell 514-980-4399
Dear Associate Dean of Arts and Science,
Re: Scott Dennis 10196138
I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s for one year.
I had a difficult first year at Queen¿¿s. I found myself in a psychological downward spiral that I was unable to pull myself out of. At the end of the summer 2016, just as I entered Queen¿¿s, my family relocated from my childhood home in Montreal to Collingwood, Ontario. I did not expect that this substantial life change would have a dramatic effect on my wellbeing but I felt lost and uprooted. When I was able to go home for visits, I no longer felt secure within my surroundings physically and emotionally. I was trying to cope and adjust with the new surroundings at Queen¿¿s but when I returned home for a break, I did not return to the familiarity of my childhood home and the comfort of my longtime friends. It was strange and new at both places. I also did not fully understand what was happening to me so it was difficult to articulate and even admit. Initially, I felt I was managing but as Christmas approached I knew I was in trouble. I expressed this to my parents at Christmas break and we talked it through. I thought I would be able to pick myself up and rectify the situation. I was unable to go seek out the help I needed. Instead things got steadily worse for me. I realize now that I made a grave mistake not reaching out for help.
I am tree planting for the first time this summer. It has been a grueling and eye opening experience. It has given me a lot of time to reflect on myself and my current situation. These past few months, away from my family, has given me confidence in myself and I feel I have matured.I feel this has been a big summer for me, adapting and adjusting in very tough circumstances but ultimately becoming successful. I feel I am better equipped emotionally to handle the rigors of Queen¿¿s academics.
I know I need to reach out for help. My goal is to make English as my Major and ideally continuing on to Consecutive Ed. I am committed to working with a Learning Strategy counsellor at the Learning Centre at the Stauffer Library as well as make regular visits to the Writing Centre. I will also visit the Advisors at the Student Advising Centre so they can continue to help me achieve my goals and point me in the right direction if I am having any difficulties.
I thank you in advance for considering my appeal. I am committed to this process and I value being a student at Queen¿¿s.
Sincerely,
Scott Dennis
cell 514-980-4399