Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello,

I am writing to talk about how my mental health has affected my learning during the winter term. I am applying for a petition to drop my ARTH210 course with R.Spronk before the exam term begins, which is soon. During this winter term and even during fall term I have had a very hard time with going to class, focusing and staying present during lectures as well as writing notes. I have had multiple psychiatrist appointments during the winter term to try and find out what the issue is surrounding that. At first we thought it was medication side effects, but then we recently found out that I have ADHD. I thought that I would have been diagnosed earlier in the term, and each visit with the psychiatrist I thought I was going to be diagnosed but we would have to check something else and I didn??t receive my diagnosis until mid-March. The psychiatrist appointments have been spread out every 6 weeks so it took a lot of time. ADHD has effected not only my focus in class, but my ability to go to class and sit still for the amount of time needed. I am not as bad in other classes because I have been given accommodations and help with my problems. Attendance is worth 10% in total for the class and at first I wasn??t worried because I was soon to be on ADHD medication that would help, but it ended up taking forever to get diagnosed and prescribed medication. Once I was on them it was about week 9 or 10 and it was too late to even try and get my grade up. Most of the content is on what is spoken in class however Spronk refuses to use ONQ so it is impossible for me to find slides to help reference the notes I get through my accommodation. It has been a real struggle. ADHD also affects my listening skills and being able to process what he is saying. The course was not dropped prior to the deadline because I thought that I would be put on medication to help me sooner than I actually was. I had hoped that it would be a fast process but it was not. I thought I would be able to pass, but with everything that has happened and the struggles imposed on me by untreated ADHD, it is looking like I will not pass. I really do not want this mark to reflect how I am as a student and I don??t want to be put on academic probation for something I wasn??t necessarily able to control. Please consider my request in letting me drop the course. I also chose not to go to the final exam because I was told by an academic advisor that if I am going to fail either way I should spend time on the courses with exams that I can pass and potentially move my grades up in other courses in case this course does not get dropped.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this

Warmly,

Megan Haley 20235515