Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Tuesday, April 9th, 2024
Dear Associate Dean,

I am a third year Queen’s Bachelor of Psychology student named Sophia Duval petitioning to drop BIOL103 (2023 Winter), BIOL200 (2023 Winter), and BADR100 (2023 Fall) from my transcript due to extenuating circumstances.
In 2023 I was faced with many difficult symptoms of poor mental health that prevented me from performing my best academically. I went through a depressive episode including a variety of issues such as panic attacks, severe mood instability, difficulty with social interaction, and extreme fatigue and avolition. These issues were initiated and fueled by compounding external financial and emotional pressures that were handled poorly as a result of the disorders I have been diagnosed with. I am also submitting supporting documentation in which my primary care physician confirms my condition at this time.
I am petitioning to drop these three courses because in the time that I was struggling with the academic and emotional load I carry, I was able to compart-mentalize enough to achieve passing grades in my other courses. I sacrificed passing these specific courses to focus my limited energy towards courses more central to my program or that I am more comfortable with.
The beginning of 2023 was particularly difficult, and I failed in completing two of the five courses I was taking fall semester. I have been working towards improving my coping mechanisms and social support network and was able to complete 4 out of five of the courses I took the following semester with a passing grade. This present semester I will not have to drop any courses as I have been managing the academic load much better.
I have petitioned to drop courses before, in my first year of university. I struggled with my diagnosis and failed to fulfil my academic responsibilities in that time as well, and it has been a gradual journey towards managing my condition. 2023 brought with it unforeseen circumstances including the decline of my grandmother’s health, lack of financial support, and rising familial tensions that set that journey back. I can assure you that any future setbacks will be handled better because of improved coping mechanisms and strengthened social supports. There has been an addition of a registered psychotherapist to the healthcare professionals dealing with my case, and she has facilitated improvement in the medication side of my symptom management as well.
I am submitting this petition at this time partially because of how the extenuating circumstances prevented petitioning sooner, and I apologize for the delay. Additionally, since the end of my depressive episode, I have been putting in my best effort in my academics this semester, and this petition was mistakenly postponed. I am almost finished retaking the BIOL103 course I am petitioning to drop, and I have decided on an academic plan that does not require the other two courses I would be dropping. I am working towards completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology if my request to transfer from a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is accepted, and nor BIOL200 or BADR100 are required for either path.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition, I appreciate the opportunity to improve my academic reputation immensely.

Kind Regards,

Sophia Duval, Student # 20299496