Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
My name is Nicholas LeBlanc and I am writing this appeal to request credit standing (CR) for my PSYC 241 and SOCY 275 final grades. Due to extenuating circumstances, my family life led to poor academic performance in these two courses, which affected my final grades, and therefore I wish to have these grades appealed to negate the possible repercussions they would have on my GPA and my future.
My grades in these two courses were severely affected due to domestic/family problems that were far beyond my control, that occurred during the months of October to mid-November. My mother and step-father ended their long-term relationship on bad terms, and the break-up was so bad that at one point the police were involved to protect my mother. I was brought into the middle of it by my former step-father, as he would try contacting me numerous times for the purpose of threatening me into getting involved and helping to fix their relationship. Therefore, it became very difficult to juggle both school and the issues going on at home, and I became gradually more fixated on my family situation. As discussed in the attached doctors note from my health-care professional, I was diagnosed in early May with anxiety, and was put on an antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication to help minimize my mental health problems. My anxiety was exacerbated by this situation, to the point where it was a challenge to keep up in my studies. The reason I am specifically requesting to appeal PSYC 241 and SOCY 275 is because those courses were heavily weighted on midterm examinations. The midterms for those courses were scheduled during a span of time when the issue was at its peak, which consequently resulted in very low performance. My other courses that I took during the fall term were weighted differently, with less emphasis on midterm examinations, and more so on alternative options.
Following the ordeal, I consulted my doctor to ask his advice on how to handle the situation, and thus began distancing myself as I realized the major impact it was having on my grades. I also arranged meetings with my professors to inform them of the situation, and to explain why my marks were uncharacteristically low, and to stress why they did not accurately reflect the type of student I am.
Overall, this situation has taught me that for the future I must do everything I can to ensure I am successful in my academics. Therefore, I will be making personal adjustments such as making an appointment with an academic advisor, as well as maintaining meetings with my doctor, and if necessary, a counsellor on campus to help regulate my mental health. I also will be attempting to focus more on myself by adapting strategies to better control my focus whenever negative situations impact my life. These suggestions will help support my academic goals as they will keep me on the right track in maintaining my grades and my mental health.
Thank you so much for your time, and I hope this appeal is taken under consideration.
Sincerely,
Nicholas LeBlanc
My name is Nicholas LeBlanc and I am writing this appeal to request credit standing (CR) for my PSYC 241 and SOCY 275 final grades. Due to extenuating circumstances, my family life led to poor academic performance in these two courses, which affected my final grades, and therefore I wish to have these grades appealed to negate the possible repercussions they would have on my GPA and my future.
My grades in these two courses were severely affected due to domestic/family problems that were far beyond my control, that occurred during the months of October to mid-November. My mother and step-father ended their long-term relationship on bad terms, and the break-up was so bad that at one point the police were involved to protect my mother. I was brought into the middle of it by my former step-father, as he would try contacting me numerous times for the purpose of threatening me into getting involved and helping to fix their relationship. Therefore, it became very difficult to juggle both school and the issues going on at home, and I became gradually more fixated on my family situation. As discussed in the attached doctors note from my health-care professional, I was diagnosed in early May with anxiety, and was put on an antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication to help minimize my mental health problems. My anxiety was exacerbated by this situation, to the point where it was a challenge to keep up in my studies. The reason I am specifically requesting to appeal PSYC 241 and SOCY 275 is because those courses were heavily weighted on midterm examinations. The midterms for those courses were scheduled during a span of time when the issue was at its peak, which consequently resulted in very low performance. My other courses that I took during the fall term were weighted differently, with less emphasis on midterm examinations, and more so on alternative options.
Following the ordeal, I consulted my doctor to ask his advice on how to handle the situation, and thus began distancing myself as I realized the major impact it was having on my grades. I also arranged meetings with my professors to inform them of the situation, and to explain why my marks were uncharacteristically low, and to stress why they did not accurately reflect the type of student I am.
Overall, this situation has taught me that for the future I must do everything I can to ensure I am successful in my academics. Therefore, I will be making personal adjustments such as making an appointment with an academic advisor, as well as maintaining meetings with my doctor, and if necessary, a counsellor on campus to help regulate my mental health. I also will be attempting to focus more on myself by adapting strategies to better control my focus whenever negative situations impact my life. These suggestions will help support my academic goals as they will keep me on the right track in maintaining my grades and my mental health.
Thank you so much for your time, and I hope this appeal is taken under consideration.
Sincerely,
Nicholas LeBlanc