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Petition Letter: Petition for Late Dropping of CISC 121 Due to Mental Health Condition

Date: 14 April, 2024

Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to petition for the late dropping of the course CISC 121 due to extenuating circumstances related to my mental health. Throughout the semester, I have been grappling with panic attacks and anxiety, which have significantly impacted my academic performance, particularly in CISC 121.

The reason I specifically wish to drop this course is because my mental health condition exacerbated the challenges I faced with the course material. Unlike my other courses, CISC 121 was entirely new to me, as I did not have prior experience with computer science courses in high school and was unable to take CISC 101 beforehand. This lack of familiarity, coupled with the intensity of my mental health struggles, made it exceedingly difficult for me to give the necessary attention and effort required to grasp and engage with the new material.

I acknowledge that the deadline for dropping courses has passed. However, I want to clarify that I took proactive steps by reaching out to my academic accessibility advisor regarding my intention to drop the course. Unfortunately, due to the timing of their response, which was received the day after the deadline, I was unable to meet the required timeframe.

My mental health condition, characterized by panic attacks and anxiety, has been a significant challenge throughout this semester. These circumstances were beyond my control, severely impacting my ability to perform optimally in all my courses, but particularly in CISC 121. The intensity of my condition at various points during the semester made it extremely challenging to focus, comprehend, and retain the course material.

Additionally, I want to emphasize that I am actively managing my mental health condition through regular appointments with my psychiatrist and adhering to a prescribed daily medication regimen. Despite these efforts, the severity of my condition escalated significantly in the last few months, necessitating multiple visits to the emergency room due to acute episodes of anxiety and panic attacks. These instances underscore the severe nature of my mental health challenges during the semester, further highlighting the substantial impact they had on my ability to effectively engage in academic coursework, particularly in CISC 121.

I would also like to mention that my mental health condition has been confirmed and documented by my learning specialist, as reflected on my university Ventus account. This confirmation further validates the extenuating circumstances I have faced throughout the semester, particularly in relation to my academic performance in CISC 121.

Moving forward, should my petition be granted, I have a clear plan to ensure academic success. I intend to seek additional support, both academically and personally, to manage my mental health more effectively. This includes continuing regular consultations with my psychiatrist to develop coping strategies that will enable me to navigate my studies more efficiently. Furthermore, I plan to explore options for retaking CISC 121 in a future term when I am better equipped to handle the course requirements.

I understand the importance of maintaining academic standards while also recognizing the impact of extenuating circumstances on my performance. I am committed to taking the necessary steps to mitigate these challenges and demonstrate improved academic progress in the future.

Thank you for considering my petition. I have attached documentation of my next psychiatrist appointment, the the bill of an ambulance trip to the emergency room, and a letter from a doctor I visited recently that support the extenuating circumstances outlined in this letter. I am hopeful for a favorable resolution that will allow me to continue my academic journey with renewed focus and determination.

Sincerely,
Alina Hossain
Student ID: 20421448
Phone Number: 647-451-8870
Email: 23bx2@queensu.ca