Petition Letter
To the Associate Dean of Academics Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am appealing to drop FREN 324 (Fall, 2020) and FREN 350 (Fall, 2020).
The extenuating circumstance that prevented me from passing these two courses was a sudden experience of mental distress during the Fall term pre-examination period and examination period. Before explaining the circumstances, I must explain the structure of many FREN courses. Most courses end with two heavily weighted assignments: the end-of-term assignment due during week 12 or the pre-examination period, and the final exam. This was the case for both FREN 324 and FREN 350. As a fourth-year student this is something I am accustomed too and normally adequately prepared for. Except this term the stress turned out to be too much to handle, and between Sun Dec 6th to Wed Dec 9th I suffered from my first nervous breakdown followed by burnout. Due to the longevity and severity of the symptoms I was unable to complete my end of term assignments on time.
By nature, I am independent, and reaching out for help is something I am still working on. But, knowing I had four exams due between Mon Dec 14th and Sat Dec 19th I could sense the coming trouble and I asked a friend for help. Together we made a schedule to complete my missing end of term assignments and exams. I took a day off and regaining some confidence I started to follow the schedule.
But it was soon apparent that I was continuing to experience insomnia, fatigue, and a drop in productivity. Aware I was continuing to suffer from burnout, and falling behind, I scheduled the next closest available meeting with my academic advisor. We met on Fri Dec 18th. There was a follow-up meeting on Tues Jan 5th, 2021.
Recognizing the decline in my mental health my advisor directed me to Student Wellness Services (SWS), and I met with a counselor on Mon Dec 21st. There was a follow-up appointment on Tues Jan 12th, 2021. I have included a letter from SWS as part of my appeal.
During FALL 2020 I did take two other courses: FREN 498 and HIST 244. Due to the extenuating circumstances explained above, the final exams for these two courses were affected as well. However, FREN 498 is not part of the appeal because it is a full year course. I am completing it this term. HIST 244 is not part of the appeal because I managed to pass due to the weighting of the assignments I completed during the term.
As part of my follow-up appointments in early January, I made plans to ensure my success this Winter term. Short term, I am taking a lighter course load. Long term, as I am currently in the Concurrent Education program, my academic goal is to complete teacher¿¿s college at Queen¿¿s. Initially I was supposed to enter my final year of teacher¿¿s college in FALL 2021. My second meeting with my advisor led to a successful appeal to defer my entrance to my final year until FALL 2022. My appeal includes the email confirmation by the Faculty of Education. This extra year gives me the ability to take a lighter course load each term so I can successfully complete my BAH and requirements for teacher¿¿s college. I will retake FREN 324 and FREN 350 if they are offered during the 2021-2022 school year. If unavailable I will replace the missing credits with other FREN electives, i.e., FREN 392, FREN 387, FREN 396.
On the mental health side, I have a SWS meeting in early Feb, and I will continue to make appointments as needed.
Thank you for taking your time to read my letter and review my appeal.
Sincerely,
Eng-Hui Emily Chee
I am appealing to drop FREN 324 (Fall, 2020) and FREN 350 (Fall, 2020).
The extenuating circumstance that prevented me from passing these two courses was a sudden experience of mental distress during the Fall term pre-examination period and examination period. Before explaining the circumstances, I must explain the structure of many FREN courses. Most courses end with two heavily weighted assignments: the end-of-term assignment due during week 12 or the pre-examination period, and the final exam. This was the case for both FREN 324 and FREN 350. As a fourth-year student this is something I am accustomed too and normally adequately prepared for. Except this term the stress turned out to be too much to handle, and between Sun Dec 6th to Wed Dec 9th I suffered from my first nervous breakdown followed by burnout. Due to the longevity and severity of the symptoms I was unable to complete my end of term assignments on time.
By nature, I am independent, and reaching out for help is something I am still working on. But, knowing I had four exams due between Mon Dec 14th and Sat Dec 19th I could sense the coming trouble and I asked a friend for help. Together we made a schedule to complete my missing end of term assignments and exams. I took a day off and regaining some confidence I started to follow the schedule.
But it was soon apparent that I was continuing to experience insomnia, fatigue, and a drop in productivity. Aware I was continuing to suffer from burnout, and falling behind, I scheduled the next closest available meeting with my academic advisor. We met on Fri Dec 18th. There was a follow-up meeting on Tues Jan 5th, 2021.
Recognizing the decline in my mental health my advisor directed me to Student Wellness Services (SWS), and I met with a counselor on Mon Dec 21st. There was a follow-up appointment on Tues Jan 12th, 2021. I have included a letter from SWS as part of my appeal.
During FALL 2020 I did take two other courses: FREN 498 and HIST 244. Due to the extenuating circumstances explained above, the final exams for these two courses were affected as well. However, FREN 498 is not part of the appeal because it is a full year course. I am completing it this term. HIST 244 is not part of the appeal because I managed to pass due to the weighting of the assignments I completed during the term.
As part of my follow-up appointments in early January, I made plans to ensure my success this Winter term. Short term, I am taking a lighter course load. Long term, as I am currently in the Concurrent Education program, my academic goal is to complete teacher¿¿s college at Queen¿¿s. Initially I was supposed to enter my final year of teacher¿¿s college in FALL 2021. My second meeting with my advisor led to a successful appeal to defer my entrance to my final year until FALL 2022. My appeal includes the email confirmation by the Faculty of Education. This extra year gives me the ability to take a lighter course load each term so I can successfully complete my BAH and requirements for teacher¿¿s college. I will retake FREN 324 and FREN 350 if they are offered during the 2021-2022 school year. If unavailable I will replace the missing credits with other FREN electives, i.e., FREN 392, FREN 387, FREN 396.
On the mental health side, I have a SWS meeting in early Feb, and I will continue to make appointments as needed.
Thank you for taking your time to read my letter and review my appeal.
Sincerely,
Eng-Hui Emily Chee