Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson (Associate Dean (Academic)),

I am writing this petition so that I may late drop the two English courses I took this last semester. I anticipate receiving extremely poor grades in these two courses but there are extenuating circumstances that I will explain below. The two courses are ENGL 441 and ENGL 476.

The 2024 semester was very personally challenging for me. I suffer from generalized anxiety which makes it very difficult for me to carry out my work within the required timelines. I have received accommodation in the past from the university for this.

My generalized anxiety is compounded by severe insomnia. Unfortunately, this has had a very negative impact on me especially in the last semester when coupled by some other issues. The insomnia is difficult because once I get into a spiral and fall behind it makes it challenging for me to catch up. I am sorry I didn’t drop the courses within the allowed timeline but this is generally one of my challenges and I also have a tendency to hold on inordinately as I hope that I will be able to turn things around.

A further challenge which set me back personally and psychologically throughout all of the 2023/2024 semesters was a severe deterioration in my relationship with my room mate. That relationship caused me to feel unsafe in my own apartment to such an extent that I had to remove myself from the apartment and move to the Holiday Inn, and ultimately, home with my parents, during the last four weeks of the 2024 winter semester. Needless to say, these turn of events set me back personally and scholastically. Added to my existing conditions, this made it virtually impossibe for me to focus and concentrate on my work. As a result I turned to psychological therapy to assist me in dealing with all of these stresses.

I would also implore you to look at my recent performance at Queen’s; you will see that with the right supports I have performed very well and am capable of continuing to do so. The most recent downturn is an aberration and now with the new support I am receiving I am confident that I will be able to return to my former levels of performance. I thought I was not entitled to accommodation for the courses this winter semester because of the structure of the courses and therefore I did not ask for accommodation. I would also like to let you know that I have applied for my BA however I intend to continue as an active student and work towards my BA (Hons.). I would like re-take these courses in the future when they become available. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further information. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Melanie Travassos
#20014852