Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Amina Islam
Student #20351254
3155 Seabright drive,
Mississauga, ON
L5M0B4
June 11th, 2023

Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen’s University
99 University Ave, Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6

To whom it may concern,

Good evening, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this appeal letter for the purpose of appealing the faculty’s decision of my one year withdrawal from Queen’s University Faculty of Arts and Science. I am also appealing to remove the following courses from my GPA, CHEM 112, PSYC 100, PHYS 104/106, MATH 121, and BIOL 102 due to extenuating circumstances that were unknown to the faculty.

To further elaborate on my extenuating circumstances I would like to make note of the fact that I have struggled with Panic Disorder, depression, extreme anxiety, and more since the age of 15. Although my mental health issues were prevalent throughout high school, I was under the impression my mental conditions were improving during the summer before my first year. However, I was mistaken. The stress of moving more than 3 hours away from my parents was taking a large toll on me, as this was the first time I had been given the opportunity to be independent. My high school graduating class consisted of approximately 20 people, therefore I was unfamiliar with the setting I was in (i.e going from a very small school community to a very large one within a short time span). The anxiety and peer pressure that others were putting on me to indulge in new and unfamiliar activities had taken a large toll on my mental health and motivation to pursue any interest in socializing and academic studies. Not only was I put under pressure by those around me whilst living on residence, but my parents had also pressured me to pursue a science program when my interests were in political sciences and english. Therefore, seeing those around me being able to pursue their passion caused me to fall back into an extreme depressive state. I was also unaware of the fact that students with mental health issues were able to receive academic accommodations at Queen’s University, therefore it was even more difficult to thrive academically the way I did in highschool.

Although I have faced many challenges throughout my first year, I have taken time to heal, think, and create an academic plan that would benefit me greatly if I were to be reinstated. I would first make sure all courses I had taken in my first year are dropped from my GPA, which gives me a chance to a fresh start during the new school year. Next, I would pursue my passion in political sciences and switch programs which would allow me to progress and thrive academically. I have also recently been medicated again for my various mental health issues and have been closely working with a psychologist to make sure I can maintain a healthy mindset through all circumstances that the new school year would have. My therapist and I have also devised a plan to have weekly online sessions during the school year to ensure I am remaining mentally healthy and on the right track to success. I will also be seeking guidance from Student Wellness Services on campus if needed, and an on campus tutor for help with maintaining a certain GPA whilst on academic probation. To ensure I will not fall into depressive patterns again, I have signed a lease with four other Queen’s students whom I trust and have developed close relationships with, this would benefit my mental and academic standpoint due to the positive influences and smaller group of people surrounding me.

In conclusion, I hope this letter has provided context as to why my academic performance was below average and I am able to be reinstated for the upcoming September term to work to my full potential.

Sincerely,

Amina Islam.