Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am petitioning to waive the one-year deadline to request a late course drop. I would like the opportunity to request to drop two courses from the summer and winter terms in 2022 as I was unable to do so within the deadline due to challenges with my mental health and well-being at the time.

These challenges began in January of 2022 during COVID-19 when students were recommended to stay home rather than return to my dorm on campus. These circumstances severely impacted my mental health, which impacted my academic performance as well. I felt very isolated completing courses from my home in Vancouver. I was also experiencing interpersonal challenges in my social circle where I felt targeted online, which became more severe after I returned to my dorm in March. This time of distress made it very challenging to keep up with deadlines, which resulted in failing grades from most of my classes. I was required to withdraw from Queen’s for one year, which was very difficult for me to navigate and only contributed to the stress that I was already experiencing. My attention was focused primarily on my plans for the following year and how I could use the time productively before returning to Queen’s in 2023. Regrettably, this was the main factor contributing to my oversight in missing the deadline to request a late course drop. Since this time, I have taken measures to understand and improve my mental health. I have learned how to handle my anxiety and stress so that I can work productively without affecting my academic performance, and have developed time management skills to ensure I effectively balance my responsibilities and prioritize self-care. Additionally, I have sought out help from trusted friends and family to establish a supportive network to navigate challenges and maintain my well-being. I also plan to establish monthly meetings with an academic advisor for the coming school year to further help me balance my course load. As I have resumed my studies at Queen’s University and am fully committed to academic excellence, I request the opportunity for a late course withdrawal. I am eager to take every possible step to ensure the enhancement of my GPA and overall academic performance.
I am more than willing to discuss this matter further and provide any additional information or documentation that may be required to support my request.

Thank you for your consideration in my petition,
Claudia Stodt