Petition Letter
Hello Dr. Johanne Benard,¿
¿
I am writing this letter regarding my current academic standing of ¿¿withdrawn for one year¿. With this, I am hoping to have the chance to talk to you about my issues and to discuss ways to solve problems I have.¿
This appeal is based on some unforeseen circumstances that have occurred in my past two years at Queen¿¿s University. I didn¿¿t meet my goals for the first semester of my first year, and I made plans to improve. However, early second semester I joined the Queen¿¿s judo club, and sustained a severe injury. During a battle with another member, I got thrown onto the ground and my left collarbone fractured. I was taken to the ER immediately and got corrective surgery two weeks later at Kingston General Hospital. After my surgery, I wasn¿¿t capable of much; I missed classes, quizzes, and exams, and wasn¿¿t able to get food for myself. I talked to my professors and got help with my studies. Therefore, I was able to pass most of my courses that semester.¿I have sent a request to Kingston General Hospital for my medical records for when I broke my collarbone, however I was told that it can take up to 30 days. I will be able to upload it or give it to whoever needs it as soon as I receive it.
¿
During my second year, I encountered some psychological challenges. I lost all of my important possessions that prove my identity: my passport, debit and credit cards, cell phone, and study permit. After a couple of weeks of searching with friends, I believed the items to have been stolen, so I went to the police station to report the theft. Furthermore, I had to make multiple trips to the embassies in Ottawa and Toronto to replace the missing documents. These trips were during the week as they weren¿¿t open during the weekends. With all of this happening at once, I felt myself going into a state of depression. I was distraught, and I missed classes and deadlines. The feeling of hopelessness about my situation prevented me from getting help from my instructors¿so and I eventually lost focus on my studies.¿I have uploaded the email I sent to the police officer.
¿
Another factor was the culture differences I experienced. I was not used the schooling system here. I was in a boarding school at home where the teachers monitor the students strictly, and this pushed me to study. However, here it was more reliant on self-motivation, a skill I had not developed yet.¿¿
¿
I realized that the deadline for the appeal had passed, but I was in a panicked state, and overcome with stress. Therefore, I didn¿¿t know how to deal with the situation.¿¿
¿
If I should leave Queen¿¿s for one year, I would have to go back home to China. I believe this would have a tremendous effect on my family as they have invested a lot into my studies. There would definitely be tension in my relationship with my parents, and I would be devastated.¿¿
¿
For the future, if I am able to stay here and continue my studies, I hope I am able to re-do the courses I had problems with. I would get better in asking for help from instructors and classmates and make use of the Queen¿¿s Student¿Academic Success Services. From this, I plan to acquire the necessary studying techniques such as, self-motivation and time management.¿I also plan to get a tutor to assist with my studies. I believe with all of these plans set in place, I can get back on track to a successful stay at Queen¿¿s University.¿¿
If I have a chance to speak with you in person, and possibly discuss a more detailed future plan, that would be greatly appreciated.¿
¿
Thank you for your time and consideration.¿
¿
¿
¿
I am writing this letter regarding my current academic standing of ¿¿withdrawn for one year¿. With this, I am hoping to have the chance to talk to you about my issues and to discuss ways to solve problems I have.¿
This appeal is based on some unforeseen circumstances that have occurred in my past two years at Queen¿¿s University. I didn¿¿t meet my goals for the first semester of my first year, and I made plans to improve. However, early second semester I joined the Queen¿¿s judo club, and sustained a severe injury. During a battle with another member, I got thrown onto the ground and my left collarbone fractured. I was taken to the ER immediately and got corrective surgery two weeks later at Kingston General Hospital. After my surgery, I wasn¿¿t capable of much; I missed classes, quizzes, and exams, and wasn¿¿t able to get food for myself. I talked to my professors and got help with my studies. Therefore, I was able to pass most of my courses that semester.¿I have sent a request to Kingston General Hospital for my medical records for when I broke my collarbone, however I was told that it can take up to 30 days. I will be able to upload it or give it to whoever needs it as soon as I receive it.
¿
During my second year, I encountered some psychological challenges. I lost all of my important possessions that prove my identity: my passport, debit and credit cards, cell phone, and study permit. After a couple of weeks of searching with friends, I believed the items to have been stolen, so I went to the police station to report the theft. Furthermore, I had to make multiple trips to the embassies in Ottawa and Toronto to replace the missing documents. These trips were during the week as they weren¿¿t open during the weekends. With all of this happening at once, I felt myself going into a state of depression. I was distraught, and I missed classes and deadlines. The feeling of hopelessness about my situation prevented me from getting help from my instructors¿so and I eventually lost focus on my studies.¿I have uploaded the email I sent to the police officer.
¿
Another factor was the culture differences I experienced. I was not used the schooling system here. I was in a boarding school at home where the teachers monitor the students strictly, and this pushed me to study. However, here it was more reliant on self-motivation, a skill I had not developed yet.¿¿
¿
I realized that the deadline for the appeal had passed, but I was in a panicked state, and overcome with stress. Therefore, I didn¿¿t know how to deal with the situation.¿¿
¿
If I should leave Queen¿¿s for one year, I would have to go back home to China. I believe this would have a tremendous effect on my family as they have invested a lot into my studies. There would definitely be tension in my relationship with my parents, and I would be devastated.¿¿
¿
For the future, if I am able to stay here and continue my studies, I hope I am able to re-do the courses I had problems with. I would get better in asking for help from instructors and classmates and make use of the Queen¿¿s Student¿Academic Success Services. From this, I plan to acquire the necessary studying techniques such as, self-motivation and time management.¿I also plan to get a tutor to assist with my studies. I believe with all of these plans set in place, I can get back on track to a successful stay at Queen¿¿s University.¿¿
If I have a chance to speak with you in person, and possibly discuss a more detailed future plan, that would be greatly appreciated.¿
¿
Thank you for your time and consideration.¿
¿
¿