Academic Plan
Dear Dean Jenn Stephenson,
Should my appeal be granted, there are many changes I would make in order to ensure I am successful in my future studies. Given my circumstances, I believe taking a lighter course load by enrolling as a part time student, majoring in a program I am more interested in, managing my time better, and continuing to see my therapist as needed would make a big difference in helping me succeed.
In my second semester of first year, I started a club called Queen's Somali Women's Relief society, to help educate the Queen's and Kingston community on the ongoing issues deterring girls in Somalia from pursuing education. We raised enough money to sponsor a young girl, and helped our partner organization in Somalia provide students with the necessary materials to support their schooling. Throughout this process I became very passionate about global development and invested in understanding how developing countries, specifically how my homeland Somalia, can be helped in increasing awareness on women's rights. Although in second year the club did not have many events, towards the end of the year I was contacted by the refugee resettlement centre (KEYS) to help a non-English speaking family of 9 from Somalia with the process of settling into Kingston. After helping the family for a few weeks, I felt that in the midst of a very chaotic year, I had found a purpose and an area of study that was not just an extra-curricular activity.
Although my major is currently undeclared, I intended on majoring in politics and took all the necessary courses, but I believe working towards majoring in a subject I care for would motivate me to do my best. In addition to this, I believe taking a lighter course load, and becoming a part time student would be very helpful. This would mean, firstly, taking a summer course before returning for the school year. In first semester I would take, DEVS 100A, POLS 366 (The United Nations) and GNDS 365 (Gender Dialogues: Jewish, Muslim and Christian) in first semester. In second semester I would take DEVS 100B, GNDS 311 (Feminist Thought) and POLS347 (The politics of Africa). If I am unable to select these courses with the exception of DEVS100 I would select politics, gender studies, or religion courses related to subjects I am interested in, and will update my plan with these courses as they become available. If granted permission I would take DEVS 230 in second semester in place of GNDS 311 and would take DEVS 240/300 in my summer term. If I do not receive permission, I would take DEVS 230 and DEVS 240 in the summer, followed by DEVS 300 in first semester of my fourth year, and DEVS 492 in second semester.
Although, I am not as passionate about politics as I am about global development, politics is still a subject I am interested in and I did not find my main issue to be with the course material. Rather, I found that my extenuating circumstances in second year and my personal difficulties with time management made dealing with the new expectations and demanding work load of second year much more challenging. Moving forward, if readmitted, I will consult with Student Academic Success Services and other resources for advice and will attend workshops that help me with my time management issues. I will also start attending office hours with my professors and teaching assistants in classes I may struggle in and if necessary will look into a tutor to help me with subjects I may not understand. Additionally, my therapist and I will continue to work together in order to develop personal strategies tailored to help me manage my time better.
The adversity I dealt with in my second year exposed me to many aspects of life I was sheltered from, and ultimately, not ready for, but it has made me stronger. Although, I am currently seeing my therapist twice a week, I will continue to see Dr. Taslim throughout the school year to ensure I am receiving adequate support. I will make time to see my therapist at the beginning and end of every month in person, and if necessary in between my appointments, Dr. Taslim has agreed to make Skype appointments.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances and construct a plan to help me succeed in my studies moving forward. If readmitted, I will follow through with all parts of my plan and continue to use the necessary resources on campus, strategies and skills learned in therapy and available on-campus help to do better. I believe after making much needed changes such as switching into a better-suited program, learning and unlearning in therapy, and taking a lighter course load I will be better equipped to succeed in my studies.
Sincerely,
Fatima Osman Aden
Should my appeal be granted, there are many changes I would make in order to ensure I am successful in my future studies. Given my circumstances, I believe taking a lighter course load by enrolling as a part time student, majoring in a program I am more interested in, managing my time better, and continuing to see my therapist as needed would make a big difference in helping me succeed.
In my second semester of first year, I started a club called Queen's Somali Women's Relief society, to help educate the Queen's and Kingston community on the ongoing issues deterring girls in Somalia from pursuing education. We raised enough money to sponsor a young girl, and helped our partner organization in Somalia provide students with the necessary materials to support their schooling. Throughout this process I became very passionate about global development and invested in understanding how developing countries, specifically how my homeland Somalia, can be helped in increasing awareness on women's rights. Although in second year the club did not have many events, towards the end of the year I was contacted by the refugee resettlement centre (KEYS) to help a non-English speaking family of 9 from Somalia with the process of settling into Kingston. After helping the family for a few weeks, I felt that in the midst of a very chaotic year, I had found a purpose and an area of study that was not just an extra-curricular activity.
Although my major is currently undeclared, I intended on majoring in politics and took all the necessary courses, but I believe working towards majoring in a subject I care for would motivate me to do my best. In addition to this, I believe taking a lighter course load, and becoming a part time student would be very helpful. This would mean, firstly, taking a summer course before returning for the school year. In first semester I would take, DEVS 100A, POLS 366 (The United Nations) and GNDS 365 (Gender Dialogues: Jewish, Muslim and Christian) in first semester. In second semester I would take DEVS 100B, GNDS 311 (Feminist Thought) and POLS347 (The politics of Africa). If I am unable to select these courses with the exception of DEVS100 I would select politics, gender studies, or religion courses related to subjects I am interested in, and will update my plan with these courses as they become available. If granted permission I would take DEVS 230 in second semester in place of GNDS 311 and would take DEVS 240/300 in my summer term. If I do not receive permission, I would take DEVS 230 and DEVS 240 in the summer, followed by DEVS 300 in first semester of my fourth year, and DEVS 492 in second semester.
Although, I am not as passionate about politics as I am about global development, politics is still a subject I am interested in and I did not find my main issue to be with the course material. Rather, I found that my extenuating circumstances in second year and my personal difficulties with time management made dealing with the new expectations and demanding work load of second year much more challenging. Moving forward, if readmitted, I will consult with Student Academic Success Services and other resources for advice and will attend workshops that help me with my time management issues. I will also start attending office hours with my professors and teaching assistants in classes I may struggle in and if necessary will look into a tutor to help me with subjects I may not understand. Additionally, my therapist and I will continue to work together in order to develop personal strategies tailored to help me manage my time better.
The adversity I dealt with in my second year exposed me to many aspects of life I was sheltered from, and ultimately, not ready for, but it has made me stronger. Although, I am currently seeing my therapist twice a week, I will continue to see Dr. Taslim throughout the school year to ensure I am receiving adequate support. I will make time to see my therapist at the beginning and end of every month in person, and if necessary in between my appointments, Dr. Taslim has agreed to make Skype appointments.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances and construct a plan to help me succeed in my studies moving forward. If readmitted, I will follow through with all parts of my plan and continue to use the necessary resources on campus, strategies and skills learned in therapy and available on-campus help to do better. I believe after making much needed changes such as switching into a better-suited program, learning and unlearning in therapy, and taking a lighter course load I will be better equipped to succeed in my studies.
Sincerely,
Fatima Osman Aden