Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Sir/Madam,
This is Leah Lyu. I am applying to drop some of my courses for this academic year. I am a person suffering from depression and have sought assistance from SWS Mental Health Counsellors to address health concerns that have significantly impaired my functioning throughout this academic year.
Depression has constantly been a challenge for me, resulting in limitations that have affected my capacity to effectively organize and complete my work. This condition has negatively impacted my academic progress and overall well-being. Symptoms such as insomnia, difficulty in waking up in the morning, and a lack of self-motivation have compromised my ability to complete my studies, submit assignments, and take exams.
My depression started in November 2022. During my summer break from May to September in 2023, I sought professional treatment in China, which led to an improvement in my condition. Consequently, I resumed my academic activities as planned in September 2023. However, by October, believing that my condition was under control and due to numerous adverse drug reactions like drowsiness, weakness, and vomiting, I decided to discontinue my antidepressant medication. Regrettably, my depressive symptoms resurfaced in November. Between December 13th and 23rd, I revisited my doctor in China and underwent treatment. According to the doctor, my arbitrary discontinuation of antidepressants led to a recurrence of the disease. Subsequently, the doctor formulated a new treatment plan, and I returned to school on the prescribed medication.
Unfortunately, the effects of the medication during this episode were slow, resulting in a slow recovery and significant delay in my academic pursuits. After more than 100 days on the antidepressant treatment, my condition began to improve in early April 2023 and my learning capabilities gradually recovered. However, by this time, I had missed numerous exams and assignments. As such, I was only able to actively prepare and complete assignments and exams fo r a few courses like SOCY122, RELS137 that were yet to conclude. Meanwhile, I applied for an ‘incomplete’ for the assignments from other courses through the academic department and course professors. But possibly because I missed numerous exams and assignments, the professors of these courses did not respond to my incomplete applications. Therefore, I am now applying to drop these courses, namely:
ARTH120(Fall/Winter),FILM240 ,CLST102, FREN106, FILM214, and ASTR101.
Currently, I have returned to China and am continuing to receive professional treatment. My condition is progressively improving, and I can confidently say that my learning abilities have almost fully recovered. I am optimistic about the future and am prepared to actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment plan during the forthcoming summer vacation. I aim to maintain a positive attitude, manage my condition effectively, and focus on my academic endeavors to ensure that my future isn’t hindered by depression again.
Thank you for your understanding and support during this challenging period.
Yours sincerely,
Leah Lyu.