Petition Letter
I am appealing my failing grade in PHYS 213 due to physical illness and personal challenges throughout the fall term of 2021. Throughout the term, and prior to coming to school, I've suffered from a rapid, thumping heartbeat that I'm normally able to keep in control. Although as the months went on, and my anxiety towards school became worse, it was incredibly distracting to work with. Sitting at my desk would have my resting heartbeat at 105 most times, with aggressive thumping. I tried meditation, small naps, breathing exercises and did not seem to get better. I went to the CDK family clinic and was requested to get bloodwork. From the second week of September, I developed severe flu consisting of a constant headache, cough and phlegm, runny nose, chills, and drowsiness. I visited the hospital (Hotel Dieu) on September 20th and again around the second week of October. At the hospital, I was given a chest x-ray and advice to visit another clinic for a lengthier examination. I tried my best to rest as much as possible, take medicine, and stay indoors at that time. My flu got better by late October.
By early November my sickness came back, and I was experiencing another cough, drowsiness, headaches as before. Throughout this time, from September onwards, it was hard for me to go to class as I was coughing, to points of dry heaving, and had to leave the class in fear of distracting or making my classmates feel uncomfortable. My mom and I decided it was best if I came home for a week in early November to get better as my mental health was deteriorating rapidly not being able to get my work done. I missed 4 assignments in PHYS 213, it was quite difficult to focus for hours on end on my code even though I did thoroughly enjoy the content we were being taught. I completed both quizzes on time and the other assignments that were due on time to my best knowledge. As for my missing assignments, I was able to hand 4 more of them in by the middle of November and wrote an email to Mr. Clark briefly explaining my situation. I told him I do not expect him to mark my late assignments, as that is fair, but see I tried my best to get them in. I didn't receive a response.
These recurring situations with my physical and mental health throughout the term took a drastic effect on my ability to perform in my program at the level I had hoped to. My grades in other classes suffered as well and unfortunately, these circumstances were out of my control; and I appreciate the understanding I received from professors. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
By early November my sickness came back, and I was experiencing another cough, drowsiness, headaches as before. Throughout this time, from September onwards, it was hard for me to go to class as I was coughing, to points of dry heaving, and had to leave the class in fear of distracting or making my classmates feel uncomfortable. My mom and I decided it was best if I came home for a week in early November to get better as my mental health was deteriorating rapidly not being able to get my work done. I missed 4 assignments in PHYS 213, it was quite difficult to focus for hours on end on my code even though I did thoroughly enjoy the content we were being taught. I completed both quizzes on time and the other assignments that were due on time to my best knowledge. As for my missing assignments, I was able to hand 4 more of them in by the middle of November and wrote an email to Mr. Clark briefly explaining my situation. I told him I do not expect him to mark my late assignments, as that is fair, but see I tried my best to get them in. I didn't receive a response.
These recurring situations with my physical and mental health throughout the term took a drastic effect on my ability to perform in my program at the level I had hoped to. My grades in other classes suffered as well and unfortunately, these circumstances were out of my control; and I appreciate the understanding I received from professors. Thank you for taking the time to read this.