Petition Letter
My name is Soran Ghahramani, and this is my appeal letter towards the Associate Deans (Studies) to have the requirement to withdraw waived. I will deeply explain as much possible information and provide supporting documents as to why I truly believe that my request to withdraw, be waived. Throughout my time at Queens, I have found the course work and load to be fairly moderate and manageable, but there are several personal barriers that prevent me from completing my work with perfection and quality. I¿¿ve always wanted to be like everyone else and just be average, if anything greater in some instances, with school. I force myself to complete tasks and assignments on time when needed, I try to attend class early when possible, I try to complete 3 hour exams just like everyone else does, but as I grow older I have came to a realization that I shouldn¿¿t be ashamed with myself and feel insecure about myself because everyone is different and I have accepted that. I am a Major Thalassemia patient, I have been diagnosed since birth and have several day to day life complications that interfere with my schooling. I get monthly blood transfusion to upkeep with my health and follow thru with other medications. I also have a mild learning disability and I have ADHD (Combined type). There will be enough supporting document to thoroughly explain my specific circumstances. In grade 10, I had seen a psychologist and went through several tests and was given a full report on myself. I was receiving full academic accommodations in high-school which include note taking service, extra time on tests and assignments, use of computer in most cases, etc. With my health condition, Thalassemia, I go through blood transfusion every 4 weeks which make me miss full school day attendances, become extremely fatigue due to my low hemoglobin count ¿red blood cells¿¿, and undergo mental drainage. Having these 3 major barriers have made it challenging to attend class and fully focus, initiate to do my work and hand it in on time, studying for tests and finals, reading and decoding texts or writings, etc. The reason I am opening up now about my personal barriers in the ending of the second year is because I have always felt insecure and weak when talking about or bringing up what I have, growing up with these personal circumstances wasn¿¿t smooth at all, it would upset me that I would need 4 hours to finish an exam while other students did it in 2, especially having to deal with thalassemia growing up I would sometimes get picked on. Now, I have realized and learned how to block all negative criticism and transform them into being more positive. My school work and GPA is based on what I do, not nobody else, I must work on myself and use whatever accomodations needed without feeling ashamed because everyone's situation is different. I plan on doing whatever it will take to achieve the set GPA that I prosper, I plan on passing all courses and attempting high personal scores on tests and exams, I plan on becoming a great overall student. I am currently in contact with QSAS and am applying for their student academic accommodations, I have been speaking with academic advisors regarding the next steps, and just recently I am visiting my family doctor to receive medical prescription to aid with my learning disabilities and ADHD. Queens University means a lot to me as I have ruled that my education is priority, I come from an amazing family with a great mother and a father whom used to be a highschool teacher, education is big in my family. Not to mention, I am the only one in my friend group back home who chose to go into the path of University and completing my education. I will be attaching several supporting documents to go with my appeal letter. There will be documents from my highschool guidance teacher, my psychologist, and my health practitioner. I have also had them fill out my form for enrolling with QSAS which I will upload as well. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to write an appeal, if there are any questions, I will be more than glad to answer them.