Petition Letter
To who this finds,
I am writing with the intention and wish to appeal my Requirement to Withdraw For One Year. I am unsure as to whether or not I have exceeded the 21 days in which this can be submitted as I had not received a letter informing me of the decision that was made. Frankly, I am very panicked as I write to you, having just learned what this all entails. I am going into my second year, with no academic advisor, having been very lost the previous year and now, learning and navigating resources on my own. It has been very difficult and less than accessible.
My studies are very important to me. While I understand that this decision was made due to my own fault of slacking off, it does not repel me from prioritizing my education. Unfortunately, my first year was very difficult. On top of living on campus during COVID (January) and being left to complete isolation with my roommate staying home until the end of February, I was facing a number of challenges with my mental health and no support. I would like to explain that I had a number of issues occurring at the time consisting of an abusive ex-stepfather, an abusive friendship, a toxic relationship, financial struggle, being on my own for the first time and the added stress of my classes. Admittedly, there were two occasions where I relapsed and reverted to a history of self harm, having no one to turn to at the moment. It should be noted that I am once again clean and seeking help, I wish not to mention this detail for the sake of pity or guilt but rather to emphasize the severity of my mental state. My plan to lift my first semester grades during the second semester was completely ruined because of these circumstances and it has troubled me all summer break since.
I intended to apply for Academic Accommodations on the grounds of my mental health, but was unable to get a hold of a medical referral from my doctor who was back home whilst I was in Kingston. My family doctor typically requires an in person meeting before issuing such forms or letters beforehand.
The outcome of my previous year has been thought over frequently. I understand where my struggles lay and constantly work to improve them: from reviewing lecture videos from my last year and reviewing or retaking my notes, to removing the outside challenges from my life (i.e. my former stepfather no longer has contact with me, nor do any of my relationships that had lead to my breakdown).
I plan to retake the courses I was originally most excited for to not only retain the information learned but earn a satisfactory grade.
I have been working all summer and applying for financial aid so that I may be stable enough for this year.
I have preplanned the additional courses I am most interested in that may have a bigger impact on my degree and future plans.
I am planning to follow through with my application for Academic Accommodations before I return to Kingston.
I am consecutively reading through Queens' website in search of resources that may help me now or later on.
I am planning to get in touch with Queens' wellness faculty.
I have decided that I will attend school for an extra year, as well as take on a few summer courses, to make up for my first year rather than graduating in 2024.
Again, I understand where this decision is my fault and I beg to be allowed the chance to return for the fall term. This is much too important to me and I am willing to pursue the extra work that may be required in order to maintain my academics as planned.
I know that this may be very late, which surely does not look promising on my end and I sincerely apologize for that. Originally, I had been automatically signed out from Outlook (I??m assuming for security reasons and a password reset?), making me unaware of the enrollment dates for this year and I was under the impression that they would be in August similar to last year. I discovered this on the last day of course selection as well as my inability to add classes to my shopping cart and, regardless, could not do anything about it because I was at work. I emailed the Registrar who told me of Open Enrolment beginning August 15th. I have been preparing for 12:00am and that is how I learned of this all. No mention of my Withdrawal Requirement had been made at all.
I cannot apologize enough; to the Dean, my professors, the Registrar, the faculties this has affected, and myself for my previous year and the consequence that arose from it. Still, I respectfully come to you in hopes of understanding and another chance, praying that this letter has not been written in a pompous or guilt-seeking manner. I am willing and determined to make up for my mistake of slacking off and I thank you for both your time and consideration to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Samantha Martins.
I am writing with the intention and wish to appeal my Requirement to Withdraw For One Year. I am unsure as to whether or not I have exceeded the 21 days in which this can be submitted as I had not received a letter informing me of the decision that was made. Frankly, I am very panicked as I write to you, having just learned what this all entails. I am going into my second year, with no academic advisor, having been very lost the previous year and now, learning and navigating resources on my own. It has been very difficult and less than accessible.
My studies are very important to me. While I understand that this decision was made due to my own fault of slacking off, it does not repel me from prioritizing my education. Unfortunately, my first year was very difficult. On top of living on campus during COVID (January) and being left to complete isolation with my roommate staying home until the end of February, I was facing a number of challenges with my mental health and no support. I would like to explain that I had a number of issues occurring at the time consisting of an abusive ex-stepfather, an abusive friendship, a toxic relationship, financial struggle, being on my own for the first time and the added stress of my classes. Admittedly, there were two occasions where I relapsed and reverted to a history of self harm, having no one to turn to at the moment. It should be noted that I am once again clean and seeking help, I wish not to mention this detail for the sake of pity or guilt but rather to emphasize the severity of my mental state. My plan to lift my first semester grades during the second semester was completely ruined because of these circumstances and it has troubled me all summer break since.
I intended to apply for Academic Accommodations on the grounds of my mental health, but was unable to get a hold of a medical referral from my doctor who was back home whilst I was in Kingston. My family doctor typically requires an in person meeting before issuing such forms or letters beforehand.
The outcome of my previous year has been thought over frequently. I understand where my struggles lay and constantly work to improve them: from reviewing lecture videos from my last year and reviewing or retaking my notes, to removing the outside challenges from my life (i.e. my former stepfather no longer has contact with me, nor do any of my relationships that had lead to my breakdown).
I plan to retake the courses I was originally most excited for to not only retain the information learned but earn a satisfactory grade.
I have been working all summer and applying for financial aid so that I may be stable enough for this year.
I have preplanned the additional courses I am most interested in that may have a bigger impact on my degree and future plans.
I am planning to follow through with my application for Academic Accommodations before I return to Kingston.
I am consecutively reading through Queens' website in search of resources that may help me now or later on.
I am planning to get in touch with Queens' wellness faculty.
I have decided that I will attend school for an extra year, as well as take on a few summer courses, to make up for my first year rather than graduating in 2024.
Again, I understand where this decision is my fault and I beg to be allowed the chance to return for the fall term. This is much too important to me and I am willing to pursue the extra work that may be required in order to maintain my academics as planned.
I know that this may be very late, which surely does not look promising on my end and I sincerely apologize for that. Originally, I had been automatically signed out from Outlook (I??m assuming for security reasons and a password reset?), making me unaware of the enrollment dates for this year and I was under the impression that they would be in August similar to last year. I discovered this on the last day of course selection as well as my inability to add classes to my shopping cart and, regardless, could not do anything about it because I was at work. I emailed the Registrar who told me of Open Enrolment beginning August 15th. I have been preparing for 12:00am and that is how I learned of this all. No mention of my Withdrawal Requirement had been made at all.
I cannot apologize enough; to the Dean, my professors, the Registrar, the faculties this has affected, and myself for my previous year and the consequence that arose from it. Still, I respectfully come to you in hopes of understanding and another chance, praying that this letter has not been written in a pompous or guilt-seeking manner. I am willing and determined to make up for my mistake of slacking off and I thank you for both your time and consideration to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Samantha Martins.