Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean Dr. Stephenson,
I am appealing to drop PSYC 251 (Winter, 2022), BIOL 102 (Winter, 2022), GLPH 171 (Winter, 2022), PHIL 151 (Winter, 2022), PHIL 250B (Winter, 2022), and PHIL 257B (Winter, 2022). I appreciate this opportunity to explain my extenuating circumstances.
During the Winter 2022 term, I experienced extenuating circumstances which severely impacted my academic performance. My grandmother, with whom I resided for many years, had been experiences a long battle with cancer. By January 2022 my grandmother was deteriorating very rapidly and was bed-ridden, which resulted in having a very busy household with doctor's, PSW's and family member's in and out constantly, in addition to myself aiding in her care. During this time, classes were being held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I originally saw this as an opportunity to be close to my family during this hard time, but neglected to foresee the emotional weight that this situation would have on me. In thinking that I could handle a big course load, I enrolled in 6 classes. It is evident to me now that I did not reflect on the amount of emotional pain and suffering that was going to come with this situation, and therefore suffered the consequences of failing grades. Although I had good intentions in enrolling in these courses, I was not in a position to exceed, which I understand now. In early February my grandmother passed away, taking a large toll on me. Although I returned to Kingston once classes resumed in person, I was still grieving and experiencing an enormous amount of brain fog. I had no motivation to do assignments or seek out help from the University. I struggled a great deal during the rest of the Winter 2022 term and not having any energy to put out was the reason that I failed to drop these course earlier. Although I was aware that I had not performed well and would have to work hard to get back on track, I was not prepared to do so this past summer up until about a month ago. Instead of being pro-active, I chose to ignore, which inevitable I am now learning from. I have done a lot of personal growth in the last month by doing things I love like being in nature and working to mend some friendships that I neglected, and have also learnt to deal with the waves of grief that come up now and then. I have come out on the other end with a clearer mind, new goals, and I feel as though I am ready for a fresh start. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been working to get my academic ambitions aligned. I am entering this fall term with a clear mind and am ready to put in the work to achieve my goals, something that I was incapable of doing in the Winter 2022 term.
My plans to achieve academic success are to take 3 courses this fall, which I am currently enrolled in, and work on my application to the Therapeutic Recreation program at the University of Waterloo. My future goals of getting into a program that reflects my true passions and pursuing a career like occupational therapy or a child life specialist will help motivate me to succeed this term and beyond. The courses that I am registered in this term speak to those passions and working hard at them will aid me in making a smooth transition into this program. I feel strongly that my Winter 2022 grades do not honestly reflect me as a student and should my academic appeal be granted, I would take this opportunity to move forward with a great deal of appreciation.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ellen Boyle
I am appealing to drop PSYC 251 (Winter, 2022), BIOL 102 (Winter, 2022), GLPH 171 (Winter, 2022), PHIL 151 (Winter, 2022), PHIL 250B (Winter, 2022), and PHIL 257B (Winter, 2022). I appreciate this opportunity to explain my extenuating circumstances.
During the Winter 2022 term, I experienced extenuating circumstances which severely impacted my academic performance. My grandmother, with whom I resided for many years, had been experiences a long battle with cancer. By January 2022 my grandmother was deteriorating very rapidly and was bed-ridden, which resulted in having a very busy household with doctor's, PSW's and family member's in and out constantly, in addition to myself aiding in her care. During this time, classes were being held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I originally saw this as an opportunity to be close to my family during this hard time, but neglected to foresee the emotional weight that this situation would have on me. In thinking that I could handle a big course load, I enrolled in 6 classes. It is evident to me now that I did not reflect on the amount of emotional pain and suffering that was going to come with this situation, and therefore suffered the consequences of failing grades. Although I had good intentions in enrolling in these courses, I was not in a position to exceed, which I understand now. In early February my grandmother passed away, taking a large toll on me. Although I returned to Kingston once classes resumed in person, I was still grieving and experiencing an enormous amount of brain fog. I had no motivation to do assignments or seek out help from the University. I struggled a great deal during the rest of the Winter 2022 term and not having any energy to put out was the reason that I failed to drop these course earlier. Although I was aware that I had not performed well and would have to work hard to get back on track, I was not prepared to do so this past summer up until about a month ago. Instead of being pro-active, I chose to ignore, which inevitable I am now learning from. I have done a lot of personal growth in the last month by doing things I love like being in nature and working to mend some friendships that I neglected, and have also learnt to deal with the waves of grief that come up now and then. I have come out on the other end with a clearer mind, new goals, and I feel as though I am ready for a fresh start. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been working to get my academic ambitions aligned. I am entering this fall term with a clear mind and am ready to put in the work to achieve my goals, something that I was incapable of doing in the Winter 2022 term.
My plans to achieve academic success are to take 3 courses this fall, which I am currently enrolled in, and work on my application to the Therapeutic Recreation program at the University of Waterloo. My future goals of getting into a program that reflects my true passions and pursuing a career like occupational therapy or a child life specialist will help motivate me to succeed this term and beyond. The courses that I am registered in this term speak to those passions and working hard at them will aid me in making a smooth transition into this program. I feel strongly that my Winter 2022 grades do not honestly reflect me as a student and should my academic appeal be granted, I would take this opportunity to move forward with a great deal of appreciation.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ellen Boyle