Petition Letter
To Whom It May Concern:
Throughout my academic career, I have been afflicted by attention difficulties that have led to my academic shortcomings. Prior to university, these issues had been less of a problem as the learning material had been more straightforward, and the support system was far superior in aiding this disability. However, the course load in university is heavier, the content more complex, and the individual aid reduced. Due to this my academic career has suffered. In Fall 2014, I failed STAT263. In Winter 2015, I failed CHEM 282. In Fall 2015, I failed PHYS242. In Winter 2016, I failed BIOL341, MATH124, and CHEM 282, as well as a D+ in BIOL303. Cumulatively resulting in a request to withdraw from school from May 24th until Summer 2017. In an attempt to redeem my CHEM 282 mark I tried taking it during the Summer 2016 semester, but it started after the date that I was requested to withdraw, leading me to believe I could not take it. Unfortunately, I was wrong, and discovered it on my transcript as an incomplete course with no complete work. Since attention issues have been affecting me throughout my entire life, my purpose for this appeal is to convince whomever it may concern to drop the failed courses from my academic record, switch my low mark in BIOL303 to credit standing, and to revoke my requirement to withdraw.
My academic struggles caused me to seek help over the summer, in order to improve my academic standing as well as my everyday life. Starting May 17th, I went for a psychological assessment, so I could conclusively define my problems, and discuss methods to work through them. On May 24th, I was notified that I had been required to withdraw from university from the summer 2016 term until the summer 2017 term. Instead of appealing at the time, I realised I would need to complete the assessment to acquire the necessary documentation of an extenuating circumstance, as well as building habits and a plan to ensure my success if reinstated into school. Sometime mid July, my parents and I met with the psychologist to review my test results, where we were informed that I suffer from ADHD. On account of this, she suggested tools and methods specifically suited to my learning profile that would assist me in overcoming this weakness. I have since handed the documentation to accessibility services at Queen's, and am awaiting an appointment.
Since then, I have done a lot of self reflection in regards to my strengths, weaknesses, and why I have performed weakly academically. Identifying my lack of focus as the primary problem, which has created or contributed to secondary problems such as motivation. By doing so, I formulated a plan as to how I will need to live over the next year to improve upon these weaknesses, and take advantage of my strengths, in order to ensure success. The situations in which my focus is the greatest burden, are during lectures, while studying, and when completing assignments. To address overall focus, I met with my doctor, and was prescribed 1-2 pills of 18mg Concerta, since being increased to 54mg. To confront the out of class attention problems, I tested various techniques, and worked towards forming routines with the beneficial ones by studying old classwork. I reduced the possible distractions while studying by deleting games, apps, and unimportant social media accounts. I have also restricted accessibility, and time allowed for other distractions, swapping their roles from tools of procrastination to rewards, increasing motivation to focus.
To ensure success, I will take a reduced course load for the fall and winter semesters equivalent to 18 or more credits. This will provide sufficient credits to resolve my academic probation, while having sufficient time to further adjust to my new study methods. Depending on which courses are allowed to be dropped from my record, I will base my schedule on those that remain failed, so I can replace the zeros from my GPA. Although I have yet to perfect my new study habits, the improvements made over the summer, and my renewed drive to succeed have brought me confidence in my academic prowess. With this newfound confidence, it is in my best interest to be permitted to take classes in the Fall 2016 semester, so that I may implement all I have learned this summer, and truly take the first step towards my new academic lifestyle.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
- Matthew Azan
Throughout my academic career, I have been afflicted by attention difficulties that have led to my academic shortcomings. Prior to university, these issues had been less of a problem as the learning material had been more straightforward, and the support system was far superior in aiding this disability. However, the course load in university is heavier, the content more complex, and the individual aid reduced. Due to this my academic career has suffered. In Fall 2014, I failed STAT263. In Winter 2015, I failed CHEM 282. In Fall 2015, I failed PHYS242. In Winter 2016, I failed BIOL341, MATH124, and CHEM 282, as well as a D+ in BIOL303. Cumulatively resulting in a request to withdraw from school from May 24th until Summer 2017. In an attempt to redeem my CHEM 282 mark I tried taking it during the Summer 2016 semester, but it started after the date that I was requested to withdraw, leading me to believe I could not take it. Unfortunately, I was wrong, and discovered it on my transcript as an incomplete course with no complete work. Since attention issues have been affecting me throughout my entire life, my purpose for this appeal is to convince whomever it may concern to drop the failed courses from my academic record, switch my low mark in BIOL303 to credit standing, and to revoke my requirement to withdraw.
My academic struggles caused me to seek help over the summer, in order to improve my academic standing as well as my everyday life. Starting May 17th, I went for a psychological assessment, so I could conclusively define my problems, and discuss methods to work through them. On May 24th, I was notified that I had been required to withdraw from university from the summer 2016 term until the summer 2017 term. Instead of appealing at the time, I realised I would need to complete the assessment to acquire the necessary documentation of an extenuating circumstance, as well as building habits and a plan to ensure my success if reinstated into school. Sometime mid July, my parents and I met with the psychologist to review my test results, where we were informed that I suffer from ADHD. On account of this, she suggested tools and methods specifically suited to my learning profile that would assist me in overcoming this weakness. I have since handed the documentation to accessibility services at Queen's, and am awaiting an appointment.
Since then, I have done a lot of self reflection in regards to my strengths, weaknesses, and why I have performed weakly academically. Identifying my lack of focus as the primary problem, which has created or contributed to secondary problems such as motivation. By doing so, I formulated a plan as to how I will need to live over the next year to improve upon these weaknesses, and take advantage of my strengths, in order to ensure success. The situations in which my focus is the greatest burden, are during lectures, while studying, and when completing assignments. To address overall focus, I met with my doctor, and was prescribed 1-2 pills of 18mg Concerta, since being increased to 54mg. To confront the out of class attention problems, I tested various techniques, and worked towards forming routines with the beneficial ones by studying old classwork. I reduced the possible distractions while studying by deleting games, apps, and unimportant social media accounts. I have also restricted accessibility, and time allowed for other distractions, swapping their roles from tools of procrastination to rewards, increasing motivation to focus.
To ensure success, I will take a reduced course load for the fall and winter semesters equivalent to 18 or more credits. This will provide sufficient credits to resolve my academic probation, while having sufficient time to further adjust to my new study methods. Depending on which courses are allowed to be dropped from my record, I will base my schedule on those that remain failed, so I can replace the zeros from my GPA. Although I have yet to perfect my new study habits, the improvements made over the summer, and my renewed drive to succeed have brought me confidence in my academic prowess. With this newfound confidence, it is in my best interest to be permitted to take classes in the Fall 2016 semester, so that I may implement all I have learned this summer, and truly take the first step towards my new academic lifestyle.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
- Matthew Azan