Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences,

I am petitioning to drop CHEM 281 (Fall, 2023). I have spoken with my CHEM 281 professor/instructor, John Carran, who supports me in dropping CHEM 281 (as discussed via email December 6th, 2023) and retaking the course this summer. Additionally, I would like to request a credit standing (CR) in my previous CHEM 281 (Fall, 2023) course.

During the Fall of 2022, I initially took CHEM 281. My studies were affected by extenuating circumstances, in which my father was diagnosed with dementia and I was designated his primary care giver. During this transition, I was recovering from the recent loss of my grandfather, while decompressing from being his secondary caregiver during the late stages of his dementia. To navigate these hardships, I utilized therapy through my student insurance, lessened my course load, used these life experiences as sources of inspiration in assignments (biochemistry, global and population health), and had my final CHEM 281 examination deferred until the summer of 2023.

During the summer of 2023, I participated in a – long awaited – medical test, in which I was diagnosed with a chronic neurological disorder. I began educating myself and trialing medication for treatment – alongside my family physician. I notified my QSAS advisor, Angel Varnette, of my diagnosis/disability at the start of the semester and have kept Angel updated through-out the semester. As I returned to studies in the Fall of 2023, the trialing of medication continued until mid-semester. This was a cognitively disorienting period, in which my cognitive abilities and state of well-being were greatly altered from the medication. Having already been experiencing condition related cognitive impairment, I found myself very dysregulated. Yet, I continued to try my best. I reduced my course load by 3 courses, to compensate. Fortunately, I found a medication that worked for me and began to comprehend that many of the difficulties I deemed “normal” prior to diagnosis, were symptoms of my undiagnosed condition. During the remainder of the term, I experienced immense weight loss – as attributed to the medication – and associated complications. My academics were negatively impacted by an inability to concentrate and focus, impaired problem solving and comprehension, inability to sustain alertness, lethargy, poor memory, automatic behaviours, brain fog, and anxiety.

I am beginning the process of navigating this situation delicately with support (family, family physician), as to maintain my recovery state from a previous condition and ensure the reestablishment of my overall health - cognition, weight/physical, mental. The rapid weight loss is not only affecting my health physically but has detrimental effects on a previous condition in which I severely struggled with for a decade. The next month(s) will require my hard work emotionally and physically to improve my health, to ensure that I am on track for the upcoming semester. I’m confident that my academic potential will truly present itself after doing so, as I will then be studying for the first time without the hindering effects of an undiagnosed condition. Though my condition is long-term, my current medication is highly effective and has unquestionably improved my condition.

As of now, I need time to focus managing my current, poor state of health which can be established through time, caution and medical guidance. I am looking into therapy and medical support that will help support me through my academic goals as well, regarding developing a routine that meets the needs of my condition and tools/coping mechanism to help me during prospective/natural challenges in the future. I plan to take a reduced course load next semester (Winter, 2024) with less heavy courses, to smoothly reintegrate myself back into academics. I’m mindful that during the start of the term I may still be improving my health and thus, I want to ensure that I have a reasonable and management workload. Therefore, early-on reflection regarding course load reduction as needed, or the addition of courses if my health is re-established, will be required.

My past semester and previous academic year (2022-2023), my hardships (loss, grief, becoming a caregiver to a parent) and health concerns (chronic neurological disorder/disability, recovery, mental health condition) have reflected a misrepresentation of my academic capabilities, potential and aspiration. Hence, my request for a credit standing change for my failing grade in CHEM 281, or an alternative option that considers the circumstances I’ve experienced during studies. I wholeheartedly desire to progressively advance academically and believe I have continuously showed determination and resiliency in not shying away from academics during personal hardship. I utilized my academic advisor, Jeremy Butler, as a resource for planning and developing my academic goals and overall plan, during this journey. Since I am also out of the country at the moment supporting my partner and family friends through a loss, I find myself in a position where the entirety of my health requires my utmost attention.

I appreciate your time reviewing my appeal and am available through email (15ctob@queensu.ca) or by phone (613-449-767) if you happen to have any questions or require further information.

Cathleen O'Brien

Student Number: 20016921