Petition Letter
Hello Dr. Stephenson,
I hope your doing well, I am writing to appeal for a late drop in Phil 329, PSYC 236, and CISC 101. Additionally, I am appealing for credit standing in PHIL 318.
I have been working with student wellness since the winter term of the 2019-2020 academic year. Since that time, I have done various assessments, spoken to many counsellors, and tried various medications. Like many others I found the abrupt end to in class learning a challenge. However, in lockdown I felt rested and hoped to take a summer class to fill my time. Unfortunately, sometime after the drop deadline my mental health began to suffer again and my communication with student wellness began again. During this time, the medication offered little help but had many negative side effects. I hoped to do enough work to pass the class, however, I was unable to do so. While I was struggling with mental health during the summer It got to its worst point in the fall semester. In addition to various personal issues I struggled with, I found the transition to online school to be very challenging. Over the course of the semester, I continued to meet with my counsellor, and I was referred to the psych clinic here at Queen¿¿s. After doing a psych evaluation with them I was diagnosed with autism. I received this diagnosis in December just before the exam period started. The time after the diagnosis was quite tumultuous personally and it took awhile to refocus on exams. Unfortunately, my mental health struggles posed a significant roadblock to my academic success this semester, and I was unable to complete the courses to the best of my ability. I should have made changes to my course load before the drop deadline, but because of the weighting of assignments I believed that I would be able to get my academics back on track.
Now that a diagnosis has been made, I can more effectively work with student wellness to get the help I need. Additionally, we have made a plan to ensure my academic success this semester. This includes working with QSAS, SASS, and trying new medications. This semester I am hoping to remain in five classes, however, I am planning on taking a lighter course load in my fourth year and taking a fifth year.
Attached you shall find documentation from the doctor I was working with over the summer, and notes from my current counsellor.
I hope your doing well, I am writing to appeal for a late drop in Phil 329, PSYC 236, and CISC 101. Additionally, I am appealing for credit standing in PHIL 318.
I have been working with student wellness since the winter term of the 2019-2020 academic year. Since that time, I have done various assessments, spoken to many counsellors, and tried various medications. Like many others I found the abrupt end to in class learning a challenge. However, in lockdown I felt rested and hoped to take a summer class to fill my time. Unfortunately, sometime after the drop deadline my mental health began to suffer again and my communication with student wellness began again. During this time, the medication offered little help but had many negative side effects. I hoped to do enough work to pass the class, however, I was unable to do so. While I was struggling with mental health during the summer It got to its worst point in the fall semester. In addition to various personal issues I struggled with, I found the transition to online school to be very challenging. Over the course of the semester, I continued to meet with my counsellor, and I was referred to the psych clinic here at Queen¿¿s. After doing a psych evaluation with them I was diagnosed with autism. I received this diagnosis in December just before the exam period started. The time after the diagnosis was quite tumultuous personally and it took awhile to refocus on exams. Unfortunately, my mental health struggles posed a significant roadblock to my academic success this semester, and I was unable to complete the courses to the best of my ability. I should have made changes to my course load before the drop deadline, but because of the weighting of assignments I believed that I would be able to get my academics back on track.
Now that a diagnosis has been made, I can more effectively work with student wellness to get the help I need. Additionally, we have made a plan to ensure my academic success this semester. This includes working with QSAS, SASS, and trying new medications. This semester I am hoping to remain in five classes, however, I am planning on taking a lighter course load in my fourth year and taking a fifth year.
Attached you shall find documentation from the doctor I was working with over the summer, and notes from my current counsellor.