Petition Letter
Appeal Letter:
I am writing you today to request a first level academic appeal for the fall semester of 2021, with the hopes of removing two failed grades from my transcript.
Since my first year of university, I have greatly struggled with my mental health. Despite this, I have been able to meet the requirements for my program; however, this past fall, keeping up with my schoolwork and course assignments became exceedingly difficult and I was having a difficult time coping
I have been in school for three years and I found that I had very little to show for all the work I had put in and thought I had no chance of ever reaching my academic aspiration of getting into medical school. I watched as all my friends and peers began to plan their future lives and career paths while I felt like I was stuck with nowhere to go and no clear plan.
My breaking point came a week before the start of the 2021 semester, when I had to euthanize my dog who I had for 10 years and who lived with me at school, which made returning to school even more difficult. It was around this time I was given a diagnosis from family doctor for severe anxiety and depression. I had started to take medications which were meant to help alleviate some of my anxiety and help keep me focused.
It was at this time, when I felt there was little hope for me, that I contemplated suicide. While in this state, I found it extremely difficult to do even basic tasks such as getting out of bed, let alone doing my schoolwork. There were many days where I would spend hours in bed doing nothing because I had completely given up. I desperately wanted to get help, but I had never spoken to anyone about the way I was feeling before and so I did not even know where to start.
In mid-late March I realized I could not go on like this any longer and decided to tell my family. After speaking with them about the way I had been feeling and for how long it has been going on for we collectively explored avenues for help. I started meeting with a therapist weekly to try and figure out the best way to approach this situation. We agreed that some time away from school might be needed to allow me to focus on improving my mental health, we also discussed new methods of time management to help keep me on top of my work and to stay motivated. Around this time, I also began to speak with an academic advisor to discuss possibilities going forward and ensuring I have all the help I need.
During this 2021 fall semester, there was one course which I had done quite well in which was Religion and Science (RELS 140). The reason I did well in this course was because tutorials were in person and graded based on participation. Since I had friends who were also in that class, I had more motivation to go and participate which resulted in me getting a high grade compared to my other two courses.
After only a few weeks of beginning to receive help, I am proud to say I have seen a noticeable difference in my mental health and the way I am approaching my schoolwork. I am starting to get better at time management and staying motivated on the task at hand. I have also seen a considerable difference in the grades I am receiving which is quite encouraging. I still have a long way to go and many more improvements to make but I finally feel like I have control over my life again.
While I understand that the request to remove failed grades from a transcript is extra-ordinary, I believe they do not reflect my true abilities (and state of mind) and given my positive path forward, would be an aberration on my transcript of my positive academic standing with the university.
If you require any further information, reports, supporting information, in reaching your decision, please let me know.
Thanks
P.S. Supporting documentation will be provided at a later date by family physician
I am writing you today to request a first level academic appeal for the fall semester of 2021, with the hopes of removing two failed grades from my transcript.
Since my first year of university, I have greatly struggled with my mental health. Despite this, I have been able to meet the requirements for my program; however, this past fall, keeping up with my schoolwork and course assignments became exceedingly difficult and I was having a difficult time coping
I have been in school for three years and I found that I had very little to show for all the work I had put in and thought I had no chance of ever reaching my academic aspiration of getting into medical school. I watched as all my friends and peers began to plan their future lives and career paths while I felt like I was stuck with nowhere to go and no clear plan.
My breaking point came a week before the start of the 2021 semester, when I had to euthanize my dog who I had for 10 years and who lived with me at school, which made returning to school even more difficult. It was around this time I was given a diagnosis from family doctor for severe anxiety and depression. I had started to take medications which were meant to help alleviate some of my anxiety and help keep me focused.
It was at this time, when I felt there was little hope for me, that I contemplated suicide. While in this state, I found it extremely difficult to do even basic tasks such as getting out of bed, let alone doing my schoolwork. There were many days where I would spend hours in bed doing nothing because I had completely given up. I desperately wanted to get help, but I had never spoken to anyone about the way I was feeling before and so I did not even know where to start.
In mid-late March I realized I could not go on like this any longer and decided to tell my family. After speaking with them about the way I had been feeling and for how long it has been going on for we collectively explored avenues for help. I started meeting with a therapist weekly to try and figure out the best way to approach this situation. We agreed that some time away from school might be needed to allow me to focus on improving my mental health, we also discussed new methods of time management to help keep me on top of my work and to stay motivated. Around this time, I also began to speak with an academic advisor to discuss possibilities going forward and ensuring I have all the help I need.
During this 2021 fall semester, there was one course which I had done quite well in which was Religion and Science (RELS 140). The reason I did well in this course was because tutorials were in person and graded based on participation. Since I had friends who were also in that class, I had more motivation to go and participate which resulted in me getting a high grade compared to my other two courses.
After only a few weeks of beginning to receive help, I am proud to say I have seen a noticeable difference in my mental health and the way I am approaching my schoolwork. I am starting to get better at time management and staying motivated on the task at hand. I have also seen a considerable difference in the grades I am receiving which is quite encouraging. I still have a long way to go and many more improvements to make but I finally feel like I have control over my life again.
While I understand that the request to remove failed grades from a transcript is extra-ordinary, I believe they do not reflect my true abilities (and state of mind) and given my positive path forward, would be an aberration on my transcript of my positive academic standing with the university.
If you require any further information, reports, supporting information, in reaching your decision, please let me know.
Thanks
P.S. Supporting documentation will be provided at a later date by family physician