Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to appeal the decision requiring me to withdraw from Queen’s University for one year due to my unsatisfactory academic standing. I would like to respectfully request that you reconsider this decision and allow me to continue my studies at the university. I would like to express my deep regret for the poor grades I got during the previous academic terms. I take full responsibility for my academic performance, and I acknowledge that my grades did not meet the university's requirements. However, I believe that withdrawing for one year would not be a beneficial measure for my academic journey.

During my time at Queens, I have had various personal and academic challenges that have negatively impacted my ability to perform well. These challenges include struggling with grief and undiagnosed ADHD. While these circumstances do not excuse my performance, they provide important context to better understand the circumstances surrounding my academic shortcomings.

Over the summer of 2021 during August my family experienced a great tragedy when we lost both my grandmother and uncle within two weeks due to COVID-19. Their deaths were shocking and unexpected. My uncle and grandmother were both important people in my life. With my grandmother having raised me for some time and visiting often we had formed a close bond. My uncle has supported me in several ways from helping pay for my elementary education to always encouraging me. I did not have much time to grieve their deaths given that I started university that September, due to this I didn’t process how deeply this loss had impacted me. Matters were also made worse due to COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting us from attending their funerals in Zimbabwe (where they passed). All of this is to say, their passings took a severe toll on my mental health due to their significance in my life and the unfortunate circumstances. When I started my first year, I thought I was fine and could just push through without dealing with this monumental loss. It was clear, however, that I was struggling with grief, anxiety, and depression on my own. This did not fare well in an entirely new setting at university, away from home for the first time. Trying to navigate everything has been a very stressful experience, and second year was no exception. Despite being at such a low point, I had hope that I could overcome these struggles myself and excel in my courses; however, it is apparent that I was not in a place to do so.

In addition, I was trying to cope while dealing with grief, and the challenges of university with undiagnosed ADHD. This disorder has significantly affected my ability to focus, manage time effectively, and meet the academic expectations set forth by the university. Throughout elementary school and high school, I had the same struggles, but I was still able to manage and do well, however, due to the increased difficulty of university my struggles with ADHD were further amplified and debilitating at times. Without a diagnosis, I didn’t understand the reason behind my struggles, and I was unable to obtain appropriate accommodations and support, resulting in academic shortfalls that do not fully reflect my potential. Following my recent evaluation by a licensed healthcare professional, I have been diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis provides a key explanation for the difficulties I encountered during my studies. With this newfound understanding, I am committed to taking the necessary steps to properly manage my condition, develop coping mechanisms and obtain the appropriate treatment that will allow me to be successful.

I have been using this summer as a time to reflect on the things that went wrong, and I’ve taken proactive steps to address these issues. During the school year, I sought help from a counsellor through student wellness who helped me work through my trauma and grief. I also finally expressed my challenges to my family and their support has been quite beneficial. In addition, over the summer I will be going on a trip to Zimbabwe to attend the memorial services of my grandmother and uncle, this will provide my family and me some much-needed closure and is important to my recovery. With my recent ADHD diagnosis, I was put on medication that will help mitigate the symptoms that were hindering my academic success. I am also currently re-taking a course I had previously failed. Which I am using as an opportunity to develop strategies and skills that can help me be successful during the regular academic year. With all these actions that I am taking, I am certain that I will be able to succeed academically.

Furthermore, I would like to highlight my genuine interest and dedication to my program. Though I have had setbacks I remain committed to my academic pursuits and the big goals I have for myself. I desire the opportunity to positively contribute to Queen’s University and beyond. A one-year withdrawal would not only delay my educational journey but also hinder my personal and professional growth. I would like to kindly petition my requirement to withdraw for one year.

Sincerely,
Takunda Govere