Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to formally petition for requesting credit standing for several of my courses due to significant extenuating circumstances concerning my mental health that have severely impacted my academic performance throughout the last two years I’ve been here at Queen’s. This letter outlines the nature of these circumstances and their direct effects on my academic duties, as well as the measures I have taken to address the situation.
During the beginning of the Fall 2022 semester, I was in the worst mental state that I had ever experienced, making the transition to university, both academically and socially, especially difficult. It was not until January 2023 that I realized the true severity of my mental condition, and that I needed to reach out for help. Specifically, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, which significantly impaired my ability to concentrate, study, and perform to the best of my ability academically. The details of this diagnosis and treatment are provided in the attached medical documentation from my psychotherapist, Stephanie Matthews.
Recognizing the potential impact of my mental health on my academic performance, I took several steps to mitigate the situation. I consulted with Stephanie, and focused on developing coping strategies and resilience regarding my anxiety, which was significantly hindering my academic performance. As of October 2023, I also started taking SSRIs as prescribed by my family doctor, which was another step I took towards managing my anxiety. However, despite these efforts, the disruptions caused by my mental health were still significant and beyond my ability to control fully, which is why the last two years here at Queen’s I have been extremely disappointed with my own performance, as I believe they are out of character for myself, not a reflection of my true potential.
Given these circumstances, I respectfully request for a Credit Standing review for the aforementioned courses. This relief would provide me with the opportunity to recover and continue my studies without the undue burden of the setbacks I experienced during my first two years here at Queen’s. I have attached all relevant documentation, including a note from my psychotherapist, as well as the recent prescription of my medicine, which is consistent with the medicine I have been taking over the last 8 months. I am committed to my academic journey at Queen’s University and am taking all necessary steps to ensure my health and academic performance stabilize and improve.
Thank you for considering my petition. I am willing to provide any further information needed, and thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.

Sincerely,
Annie