Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science,

My name is Samantha Yapa (Student Number: 10101235) I am submitting an appeal to drop all of my winter semester courses due to ongoing medical reasons. The courses are: ECON 250, ECON 212, MATH 121, COMM 251 and ECON 232. I understand that dropping a whole academic semester is costly and a large setback in my undergraduate journey but due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control I know that this is best that I redo these courses with a healthy mindset. The reasoning for my extenuating circumstances goes back to February 2015 were I was diagnosed with a physical and mental illness. Due to these illnesses I have been on and off certain medications that have affected my ability to attend class, concentrate, perform to the best of my ability in all of my academic work. Due to ongoing changes in my medication and treatment, I decided to stick it out with hopes that I could positively carry on with the semester with no severe issues. Unfortunately that is not the case, through the final exam period my medical condition got worse therefore resulting me to visit health services multiple times, other clinics off campus and KGH. Again due to these extenuating circumstances I was unable to write my final exams. The reason as to why I do not want to defer my exam's is because I feel that I truly did not perform well this academic year this includes poor class attendance, not being able to complete assignments to the best of my ability throughout the semester and to properly giving the effort theses courses needed in order to complete it with a successful grade. The side effects of my medication and treatment have affected my abilities to perform well and put the effort and energy needed. Not only with my academic life but also with my extracurricular activities. I would like to redo the semester to fully be able to understand and learn the material in each and every course with no external distractions because I take my academic life very seriously and I want to succeed in my academic life and be able to attain to my future goals. I do not want to allow getting ill in my second year affect my future here at Queen's. Through the semester I have been getting help though Health Services on campus and Health Counselling and Disability Services, still the worsening of my medical condition still pertains and therefore I am getting further treatment at home during the summer. My goal is to hopefully find a proper treatment plan (including proper medication) by September so when I come back to continue with my studies I will be healthy and able to give me 100 into my academics and extra curricular activities. At the moment I am retaking several courses (COMM 251 and MATH 121) over the spring semester to be able to catch up and not be to behind in my courses for next year. As for now I haven't settled in on a specific treatment plan or medications but I am getting the professional help that is needed for me I will be getting this help throughout the summer and into the fall. As I mentioned earlier my goal is to have a set treatment plan and have my medications properly set before the fall semester begins, hopefully by that time I am on my way to becoming healthy. Depending on my circumstances in August/ September and depending on my physical and mental state I might plan on taking a lighter course load just so I don't get hit hard with the amount of work, and that I have the means and the time to take better care of myself. If not I may look into changing programs.

As for now I plan on taking the tasks that I need to finish and finish them day by day. I will be completing some of the courses I was unable to complete over the winter semester over the summer in the comfort of my home with the treatment I am receiving. Through this time I will continue to stay in contact with an academic advisor just so I have my courses planning out for the upcoming year and so that I will not be to behind. My goals in my undergrad are to finish my Economics degree and look into further graduate schools I have a plan to go into the Masters of Management program and come out hoping to work in the financial industry. I however under any circumstance let this minor setback affect the rest of my time at Queen's and the rest of my future.

Thank you,
Samantha Yapa
(Student Number: 10101235)