Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,



I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing today to your attention because of the significant challenges I faced during the last academic year due to a severe depression outbreak. I am seeking understanding, support, and assistance from the university as I endeavour to continue my academic journey and successfully complete my studies.


During the previous academic year(my first year experience), I experienced an intense and debilitating bout of depression, which adversely affected various aspects of my life, including my academic performance. I faced extreme difficulty in sleeping, leading to a constant feeling of exhaustion. I felt hollow and everything felt meaningless, waking up felt no meaning as well. It was a negative cycle that first impacted my biological conditions which impacts my performance. My ability to concentrate on schoolwork was severely impaired, hindering my progress in my winter courses. The overwhelming emotional burden resulted in me withdrawing from social interactions, feeling isolated from friends and family, and persistently experiencing sadness, loneliness, and negative thoughts about myself. Prior to this health setback, my academic performance was excellent, achieving an A+ in my Computer Science course and receiving A grades in two elective courses during the first semester.


However, the aforementioned health issues led to a temporary detour in my academic journey. I acknowledge the importance of maintaining academic excellence and progress, and it deeply pains me that I could not meet the expectations set forth by the university during that challenging time. Nevertheless, I would like to assure you that I am now actively seeking help to address my mental health concerns, and I have taken proactive steps to improve my well-being. I am now in a far healthier mental state and have made substantial strides toward recovery. I feel ready to retake the courses and am confident I can excel in them.


In the evidence after this letter, I have provided a detailed medical note from my healthcare provider, which outlines the severity of my depression outbreak and my ongoing therapy sessions. I am currently under the care of a professional psychologist and therapist who are providing me with the necessary support and guidance to overcome these obstacles. They have devised a comprehensive treatment plan, which I am diligently following to achieve better mental health.


In light of these circumstances, I humbly request your understanding and support in granting me an opportunity to petition for waiving the record of me dropping my winter courses which includes MATH 111, CISC 102 and CISC 121 course that I was unable to complete due to my mental health challenges in the last academic year. I am planning to retake STATS 263, CISC 102 and CISC 121 in the current semester. I am determined to demonstrate my academic competence and commitment to my studies, and I genuinely believe that with appropriate assistance, I can successfully complete the requirements for these courses. Despite this temporary setback, I am fully committed to catching up and demonstrating my capabilities. I am eager to overcome this challenge and continue my academic journey, leveraging the resilience I've developed through this period.


I understand the importance of maintaining academic standards, and I assure you that I am wholly dedicated to doing my best in all academic pursuits moving forward. It is my earnest desire to continue my education at Queens and fulfill the potential I know I possess.


Lastly, if possible I kindly request a meeting with you to discuss this matter further and explore potential solutions against the results of this event. Your guidance and support would mean a lot to me and significantly contribute to my recovery and academic progress.


Thank you for considering my petition and for your understanding of the challenges I have faced. Please feel free to contact me at 2899810905 or Samuel.fanenhao@gmail.com to arrange a suitable time for a meeting.


Sincerely,

Samuel Fan

Student ID 20340476

Computer Science Honor Program