Academic Plan
Below I have outlined my academic plan which encompasses the three key areas of concern: the focus of my studies, my expectations with respect to my workload, and lastly my strategies for success.
Seeing as how I currently have less than 24 credits, I am able to remain undeclared for my degree plan. Submissions for late plan selection are available until July 30, however, the two summer courses I am enrolled in (ENGL 100 and HIST 125) end on that same date. Ideally, I would like to pursue a major in English, with a minor in history, but I am not sure if my grades will be finalized by the time late plan selection submissions are due. I have read all the plan requirements for both English and history, and am confident that I will meet the requirements, as I am on track to succeed in my summer courses. Should I return to school this coming fall, regardless of whether I am undeclared or accepted into a degree plan, I will enroll in courses that follow my desired degree plan.
In the event that my appeal is successful, and I return to the university this coming fall, I plan to resume a full course load. The summer courses I am enrolled in are 6 credits respectively, almost equivalent to taking 4 courses. I am currently on top of my readings and assignments and proving to myself that I am capable of completing a full course load. My summer courses accompanied by strategies I am developing and the progress I am making in counselling will ensure that I am fully prepared to return and succeed.
The biggest challenge I faced this year, which ultimately was the cause of my poor academic performance, was my own mental health. I struggled with anxiety and depression that only became amplified by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic (all of which is outlined in my letter of appeal). Counselling has been a great tool for me as it allows me to identify the source of my issues and finds ways to work through them. When my counselling sessions are finished, I plan to start psychotherapy which I will continue throughout the upcoming year. Furthermore, I am pursuing a treatment plan with my doctor to balance my mental well-being when faced with personal obstacles.
In my counselling sessions, we are currently working on effective coping strategies for when I am encountering anxiety or depressive thoughts and are also developing efficient work habits such as time management and organization that will be key factors in my academic success. Counselling has also helped me realize that it is okay to reach out when you need help and feel you are struggling; you do not need to suffer alone or keep issues to yourself because that only makes them worse.
In addition to seeking help from my doctor and psychotherapist, I plan to take full advantage of the resources the school offers to students. If I were to meet QSAS eligibility requirements, I would find this service very useful. In the second semester of this past year, I also signed up for the SASS program which I found extremely helpful and will be using again, should I return to the university this fall. SASS provided me with clarity on what my academic goals and deadlines were and how to achieve them in a timely and efficient manner. This alone vanquished a lot of stress and anxiety that I had towards my academics and made all my work seem doable.
The last step towards ensuring my academic success, should I return this fall, is setting clear boundaries in regard to my social life. This coming year I already have a house with my friends/roommates lined up which comes with complications of its own. Everyone will be excited to return and start a new year which could also entail the imposition of distractions. While it is important to balance academics and social life, I will be sure to set clear boundaries for study time. The library is a great resource in this situation as it provides an independent quiet space to complete work without distractions.
If I maintain the progress I am making outlined above, such as following a treatment plan from my doctor, developing coping strategies and personal skills with my counsellor, and transferring the work habits from my summer courses, I will be set up for a successful upcoming school year.
Seeing as how I currently have less than 24 credits, I am able to remain undeclared for my degree plan. Submissions for late plan selection are available until July 30, however, the two summer courses I am enrolled in (ENGL 100 and HIST 125) end on that same date. Ideally, I would like to pursue a major in English, with a minor in history, but I am not sure if my grades will be finalized by the time late plan selection submissions are due. I have read all the plan requirements for both English and history, and am confident that I will meet the requirements, as I am on track to succeed in my summer courses. Should I return to school this coming fall, regardless of whether I am undeclared or accepted into a degree plan, I will enroll in courses that follow my desired degree plan.
In the event that my appeal is successful, and I return to the university this coming fall, I plan to resume a full course load. The summer courses I am enrolled in are 6 credits respectively, almost equivalent to taking 4 courses. I am currently on top of my readings and assignments and proving to myself that I am capable of completing a full course load. My summer courses accompanied by strategies I am developing and the progress I am making in counselling will ensure that I am fully prepared to return and succeed.
The biggest challenge I faced this year, which ultimately was the cause of my poor academic performance, was my own mental health. I struggled with anxiety and depression that only became amplified by the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic (all of which is outlined in my letter of appeal). Counselling has been a great tool for me as it allows me to identify the source of my issues and finds ways to work through them. When my counselling sessions are finished, I plan to start psychotherapy which I will continue throughout the upcoming year. Furthermore, I am pursuing a treatment plan with my doctor to balance my mental well-being when faced with personal obstacles.
In my counselling sessions, we are currently working on effective coping strategies for when I am encountering anxiety or depressive thoughts and are also developing efficient work habits such as time management and organization that will be key factors in my academic success. Counselling has also helped me realize that it is okay to reach out when you need help and feel you are struggling; you do not need to suffer alone or keep issues to yourself because that only makes them worse.
In addition to seeking help from my doctor and psychotherapist, I plan to take full advantage of the resources the school offers to students. If I were to meet QSAS eligibility requirements, I would find this service very useful. In the second semester of this past year, I also signed up for the SASS program which I found extremely helpful and will be using again, should I return to the university this fall. SASS provided me with clarity on what my academic goals and deadlines were and how to achieve them in a timely and efficient manner. This alone vanquished a lot of stress and anxiety that I had towards my academics and made all my work seem doable.
The last step towards ensuring my academic success, should I return this fall, is setting clear boundaries in regard to my social life. This coming year I already have a house with my friends/roommates lined up which comes with complications of its own. Everyone will be excited to return and start a new year which could also entail the imposition of distractions. While it is important to balance academics and social life, I will be sure to set clear boundaries for study time. The library is a great resource in this situation as it provides an independent quiet space to complete work without distractions.
If I maintain the progress I am making outlined above, such as following a treatment plan from my doctor, developing coping strategies and personal skills with my counsellor, and transferring the work habits from my summer courses, I will be set up for a successful upcoming school year.