Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,

I hope this letter finds you well. I want to begin by expressing my gratitude for taking the time to read my letter and for your understanding. I am writing to formally request the late drop of the online course ANAT100 due to unforeseen and overwhelming circumstances that have significantly impacted my ability to perform academically.

Since the beginning of September, I have been dealing with severe mental health challenges, primarily characterized by a debilitating anxiety flare-up. This condition has adversely affected my productivity, making it increasingly difficult to concentrate on academic tasks and meet assignment deadlines. Unfortunately, the online nature of the course exacerbated these challenges, hindering my ability to effectively form a relationship with both my TA and the professor for the necessary guidance and support.

Compounding my mental health struggles, I was diagnosed with bronchitis at the onset of October. Subsequently, I experienced chronic bronchitis, causing a prolonged period of physical illness. I sought out medical attention and was advised to stay home and rest in order to better my condition. As a result, I missed a significant number of classes which put me behind in the course content. The combination of mental and physical health issues created a substantial barrier to my academic progress. Despite my best efforts, I found it exceptionally challenging to keep up with the rigorous demands of the course, and my ability to fulfill assignments, quizzes, and midterms was severely compromised for all courses.

Following a protracted period of illness, I attempted to regain momentum and improve my academic position. However, the cumulative backlog of assignments, quizzes, and midterms from all my courses proved to be overwhelming. In this course specifically, there were practicals, assignments and quizzes that were worth a large portion of my grade. In an effort to better my academic standing, I was forced to prioritize CHEM281 and BIOL243 as they are mandatory for my major. Given that these courses are extremely challenging, I was unable to excel in improving my academic stance in ANAT100. As a result, I believe that I could perform better in this course given the proper circumstances that I am healthy both mentally and physically.
The volume of content in ANAT100 coupled with its significant weight in terms of overall marks, intensified the pressure and stress. As a result, my anxiety reached critical levels, leading to persistent panic attacks and depressive episodes that further hindered my capacity to work and complete assignments in a timely manner.

Navigating through this challenging period, I made a concerted effort to address my academic responsibilities, particularly with differing the necessary midterms. Unfortunately, the overwhelming nature of my circumstances, coupled with the cumulative stress of multiple courses, proved insurmountable. Despite my sincere intentions to persevere, the challenges became insurmountable, and the quality of my academic work suffered.

In light of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request your understanding and consideration for a late withdrawal from ANAT100. I believe that this action is necessary to maintain the integrity of my academic record and allow for a fair and accurate representation of my abilities. I understand the importance of adhering to academic policies, and I assure you that this request is not made lightly. It is my sincere hope that the circumstances outlined above demonstrate the extenuating and unavoidable nature of my challenges.

I take my academics very seriously and plan to significantly improve my academic stance. In an effort to do so, I have taken the proactive steps of reaching out to the Queen’s counseling services. I have met with a counselor who has acknowledged my extenuating circumstances and poor mental health. She has advised me to seek therapy, and provided me with resources for coping with my anxiety. I genuinely appreciate your time and consideration of my petition. I am committed to addressing and resolving the challenges I have faced and ensuring that I can return to my studies in a more optimal state. Thank you for your understanding and for providing a platform for students to navigate such exceptional circumstances.