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Petition Type: New
ID: 12017
Submitted: June 13, 2024 at 3:13:55 PM
First Name: Aaron
Last Name: Tan
Pronoun: Mr
Preferred Name: Aaron Tan
Student Number: 20240906
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: None
Level of Study: 1

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years

Petition Letter

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Jean Stephenson

I am writing to formally appeal the decision to require my withdrawal from the Faculty of Arts and Science for a minimum of three years until 2027, as communicated in your letter dated May 24, 2024. I respectfully request that the decision be withheld until my summer term grades are released.

I acknowledge my current academic standing and understand the regulations outlined in Academic Regulation 13.5. However, I am already halfway through courses for the Summer Term 2024 and believe that my performance in these courses will be able to improve my cumulative GPA to meet the 1.6 requirement set out by the Faculty . I am confident that the grades I anticipate achieving this summer will demonstrate my commitment to my studies and my ability to meet the academic standards of the Faculty.

Given the importance of these summer courses to my academic progress, I kindly ask that you consider postponing the enforcement of the withdrawal decision until the end of the Summer Term 2024 in August 2024. This additional time will allow my summer grades to be included in my academic assessment, which I believe will present a more accurate reflection of my abilities and dedication.

I am fully aware of the academic challenges I have faced in the past, and I have taken substantial steps to address them. Over the past term, I have utilized various academic resources provided by the university, including tutoring services and academic advising, to improve my performance. I have thoroughly reviewed the trend in my marks over each semester and I have identified a pattern in that while my assignments, quizzes, and lab grades generally remain at the GPA requirement, I experience significant exam-taking anxiety and do not perform as well in midterms and finals which are high-stakes evaluations. I am working through cognitive behavioural therapy-based skills to address this.

I sincerely hope that you will consider my request and allow my summer term results to be factored into the final decision regarding my academic standing. I am already working with a tutor and am committed to my education at Queen's University and am determined to meet the academic expectations set forth by the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your favorable response.

Sincerely,
Aaron Tan

Academic Plan

Academic Plan: A. Course of Study
Degree Plan Status:
I am currently registered in my desired degree plan, BSH.
I have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS and understand my remaining degree requirements.

Course Selection:
I have selected courses that are crucial for my degree completion and align with my academic interests and strengths for this summer.
I will consult with an academic advisor to ensure that my course selection for the following year is appropriate and viable for my academic goals.

B. Full-time vs Part-time
Course Load:
I am planning to maintain a full-time course load, enrolling in 9.0 units per term, which includes approximately 15-20 hours of classes per week plus 20+ hours for coursework and studying.
I have no incomplete work from previous academic sessions.
I do not need to work while attending school, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies.
Adjustments and Considerations:
If necessary, I will consider a part-time course load in future terms to manage my workload better and ensure I can meet academic requirements without compromising my performance.

C. Strategies for Success
Challenges Encountered and Solutions:
Time Management: I have struggled with managing my time effectively. To address this, I will use a planner to schedule my study sessions, assignments, and other responsibilities.
Exam Anxiety: I have identified that I experience significant exam-taking anxiety, which impacts my performance in high-stakes evaluations like midterms and finals. To address this, I am working through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based skills to manage and reduce my anxiety.
Study Techniques: I have had difficulty retaining information. I will employ active learning techniques, such as summarizing information in my own words, creating flashcards, and teaching concepts to peers.

Skills to Build:
Organization: I will work on organizing my study materials and notes systematically.
Critical Thinking: I will engage in activities that promote critical thinking, such as participating in study groups and discussions.

Support and Resources:
Academic Advisors: I will regularly meet with my academic advisor to ensure I am on track with my degree requirements and to get advice on course selections.
Tutoring Services: I will utilize the university's tutoring services for subjects I find challenging.
Mental Health Support: I will seek support from the university's counseling services to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Conclusion
By implementing this academic plan, I am confident that I can improve my academic performance and successfully meet the Faculty of Arts and Science's standards. I have already implemented several of these practices for my summer classes, and you may verify with my current instructors about my current grades. I am committed to making the necessary adjustments and using the available resources to ensure my success.
Thank you for considering my appeal and academic plan. I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate my improved academic standing.
Sincerely,
Aaron Tan
20240906

Documentation

Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC