Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Jill Atkinson,
I am appealing the faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for a minimum of three years, for a return to studies in the Winter 2022 semester. I am also appealing to have GPHY 305 (Winter, 2021), GPHY 312 (Winter, 2021), GPHY 250 (Summer, 2021), and GPHY 319 (Summer, 2021) removed from my GPA. I am also appealing to waive the 21-day deadline.
In February of this year I had a depressive episode that lasted until July. The social isolation caused by the pandemic, combined with the additional struggles and stress associated with online learning, triggered the episode. This depressive episode negatively impacted my studies by reducing my motivation and concentration abilities, my memory and ability to retain information learned in class was also negatively affected. My sleep schedule suffered as well, which in turn worsened the above mentioned side effects of my depression. These side effects made it incredibly difficult for me to focus on and complete my course work. This episode went unrecognized by myself until June when I met with my physician, at which point my prescription was changed to better treat my clinical depression. At that time I decided to add counselling to my treatment plan in order to better recognize triggers for a depressive episode and to learn techniques for managing those triggers as well as for the side effects my depression can cause.
I am not appealing GPHY 207 (Winter, 2021) because I was able to obtain a passing grade in the course due to the fact that my mark was relatively high before my depressive episode and what little work I was able to complete kept it above a fail. In addition, I would like the 21-day deadline to be waived due to the fact that I had just begun additional treatment during that time period and had not yet gotten my depressive episode and its side effects under control. During this time I had also not decided to or felt prepared to return to studies during the Winter 2022 semester.
I believe that I can now make a successful return to studies. When I returned in Fall 2020 I had recognized and sought out medical help for my mental illness but I had not made a plan for the long-term management of it. I have now regularly met with a certified mental health professional and have learned skills to manage the side effects of my depression. I feel confident in my abilities and in the fact that I will be more prepared to recognize the onset of an acute depressive episode in the future (should one be triggered), which will allow me to minimize or avoid any negative side effects to my education.
I plan to succeed academically by taking a lighter course load, continuing to meet regularly with my physician and a councillor in Kingston, and by utilizing resources available to me on campus. My future plan for success is outlined in detail in my attached Academic Plan.
I genuinely love studying and applying my knowledge of Geography. During my summers and my requirement to withdraw I have worked jobs in Geography related fields, including as a FireSmart Technician for Wildland Fire Yukon and as a Water Resources Field Technician for the Water Resources Branch of the Yukon Government. My struggle has not been with a lack of drive or a disinterest in school, but rather with the acknowledgment and management of my mental illness and coping with the side effects it can induce. During my requirement to withdraw in the 2019/2020 school year I came to the realization that I was struggling but still believed I had the ability to cope on my own, it unfortunately took another academic year of struggling (albeit much less than before) and a severe decline in my mental health in February 2021 to realize that seeking additional professional help was the best course of action for myself. I plan to continue seeking help and using all available resources to succeed academically in the coming semesters. I feel ready and prepared to return to studies in January and am hoping you will offer me the chance to do so.
Sincerely,
Meghan Bouvier
10179726
I am appealing the faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for a minimum of three years, for a return to studies in the Winter 2022 semester. I am also appealing to have GPHY 305 (Winter, 2021), GPHY 312 (Winter, 2021), GPHY 250 (Summer, 2021), and GPHY 319 (Summer, 2021) removed from my GPA. I am also appealing to waive the 21-day deadline.
In February of this year I had a depressive episode that lasted until July. The social isolation caused by the pandemic, combined with the additional struggles and stress associated with online learning, triggered the episode. This depressive episode negatively impacted my studies by reducing my motivation and concentration abilities, my memory and ability to retain information learned in class was also negatively affected. My sleep schedule suffered as well, which in turn worsened the above mentioned side effects of my depression. These side effects made it incredibly difficult for me to focus on and complete my course work. This episode went unrecognized by myself until June when I met with my physician, at which point my prescription was changed to better treat my clinical depression. At that time I decided to add counselling to my treatment plan in order to better recognize triggers for a depressive episode and to learn techniques for managing those triggers as well as for the side effects my depression can cause.
I am not appealing GPHY 207 (Winter, 2021) because I was able to obtain a passing grade in the course due to the fact that my mark was relatively high before my depressive episode and what little work I was able to complete kept it above a fail. In addition, I would like the 21-day deadline to be waived due to the fact that I had just begun additional treatment during that time period and had not yet gotten my depressive episode and its side effects under control. During this time I had also not decided to or felt prepared to return to studies during the Winter 2022 semester.
I believe that I can now make a successful return to studies. When I returned in Fall 2020 I had recognized and sought out medical help for my mental illness but I had not made a plan for the long-term management of it. I have now regularly met with a certified mental health professional and have learned skills to manage the side effects of my depression. I feel confident in my abilities and in the fact that I will be more prepared to recognize the onset of an acute depressive episode in the future (should one be triggered), which will allow me to minimize or avoid any negative side effects to my education.
I plan to succeed academically by taking a lighter course load, continuing to meet regularly with my physician and a councillor in Kingston, and by utilizing resources available to me on campus. My future plan for success is outlined in detail in my attached Academic Plan.
I genuinely love studying and applying my knowledge of Geography. During my summers and my requirement to withdraw I have worked jobs in Geography related fields, including as a FireSmart Technician for Wildland Fire Yukon and as a Water Resources Field Technician for the Water Resources Branch of the Yukon Government. My struggle has not been with a lack of drive or a disinterest in school, but rather with the acknowledgment and management of my mental illness and coping with the side effects it can induce. During my requirement to withdraw in the 2019/2020 school year I came to the realization that I was struggling but still believed I had the ability to cope on my own, it unfortunately took another academic year of struggling (albeit much less than before) and a severe decline in my mental health in February 2021 to realize that seeking additional professional help was the best course of action for myself. I plan to continue seeking help and using all available resources to succeed academically in the coming semesters. I feel ready and prepared to return to studies in January and am hoping you will offer me the chance to do so.
Sincerely,
Meghan Bouvier
10179726