Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,

I am petitioning to have the following courses dropped from my transcript and hopefully expunged: ENGL 277 (Fall 2022), ENGL 281 (Fall 2022), ENGL 290 (Fall 2022), and ENGL 296 (Fall 2022).

I am a second-year student in concurrent education. Last year was a struggle for me and in May I had a mental health crisis that resulted in a suicide attempt. Prior to this event, I had been taking anti-anxiety medications and medication for my ADD for several years. Once I started University, I stopped taking my medications and felt like I could manage without them. That was not the case. My first year was not very successful and I found it very difficult to concentrate and stay organized. When I received my academic probation letter, I thought that I had ruined the chance to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher and did not know how to go on. That led to my overdose. Fortunately I received medical help in time and survived. Following this, I started taking my medications again and found a new counselor. I felt like I was ready to return to school this past fall. Early in September, I stopped taking my medications again and was in a depressed state. I stopped going to classes in October and did not submit many assignments. My parents recently found out about this situation and are helping work through why this keeps happening. I really do want to succeed, I just have to learn how to overcome these roadblocks. I have also resumed my counseling sessions. Throughout high school, I was an honours student who was actively engaged in community service. I know that I can succeed. I have been formally diagnosed with depression and anxiety as well as ADD. When I am on medication I perform very well academically.

I did not drop the courses earlier because I really thought that I could pull myself out of this and complete the course work. I realize now that does not make logical sense, but when I was in the midst of it I did not grasp the magnitude of the situation.

I am not certain if I will be well enough to resume my studies in the new year, or whether I might need a break. Ms. Vickie Lewis, my academic advisor in the Faculty of Education, recommended that I continue to register as though I am going back and then evaluate in a few weeks. I might need a lighter course load in order to be successful.

I should note that it is difficult for me to reveal my truth and what I have been going through for the last 8 months. I know that moving forward I have to address my medical conditions and learn how to function. My doctor is monitoring my medications and I have methods in place to remind myself to take them regularly. I am also continuing with my counselor and working on why I freeze up and stop performing. As I come out of my depression, I am starting to realize just how destructive it was. I have also been in touch with QSAS, and moving forward, I know I will need to seek out the supports that I need and start to advocate for myself.



Thanks for your assistance, Andrew Johnson