Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I respectfully request a waiver of the Requirement to Withdraw due to significant extenuating circumstances that have greatly affected my academic performance. Additionally, I request to drop courses PHYS 104/106 and MATH 120 after the academic deadline as part of this petition. Over the past year, I have encountered a series of unforeseen events, handling mental health and personal issues within my family. These events, detailed below, along with the attached supporting documents, have impeded my ability to focus on and succeed in my studies. I am committed to overcoming these difficulties and have already begun making improvements. I am excited to continue pursuing my academics. Throughout my life, I have grappled with severe ADHD, for which I have been receiving medication. However, I still find it difficult not to lose track of time or forget classes and assignments. Additionally, undiagnosed mental health problems have caused severe depressive episodes, making it a struggle to get out of bed or be productive most days. Additionally, these problems have necessitated testing different medications to find an effective treatment, which comes with its side effects. Moreover, I have been suffering from severe sleeping issues caused by frequent nightmares, further exacerbating my condition. These mental health challenges have significantly impacted my academic performance, as I have often been unable to attend classes regularly, resulting in missed information and incomplete assignments. The lack of energy and focus due to these issues has made it difficult to perform my academic tasks. Fortunately, I have recently begun seeing a psychiatrist after a long wait. This psychiatrist has been fundamental in addressing my mental health problems, which are discussed further in my academic plan. My parents' separation, which happened in October 2023, has also impacted my academic performance. This family situation has created an emotionally and physically demanding environment, making it challenging to concentrate on my studies. The added responsibilities of managing household dynamics, such as helping with transportation, cooking, and supporting my siblings and parents during this challenging time, have further affected my ability to complete schoolwork and attend. The stress and responsibilities have left me mentally and physically exhausted, resulting in missed classes, incomplete assignments, and an overall decline in my academic performance. These challenges have particularly impacted my performance in PHYS 104/106 and MATH 120 courses. In Physics, the numerous assignments and attendance-based activities required consistent participation and timely submission, which I was unable to maintain due to my mental health issues, sleep disturbances, and family problems. Consequently, I missed crucial assignments and participation points. In Mathematics, the primary issue was the critical information conveyed during lectures, which I often could not attend because of those same problems. As a result, I lacked the necessary course material and understanding to perform well, leading to unsatisfactory grades. Therefore, I request that PHYS 104/106 and MATH 120 be dropped for the stated reasons. The combination of my severe ADHD, ongoing undiagnosed mental health issues, sleep disturbances, and emotional/physical burden from my parents' separation has significantly hindered my academic progress. Despite these challenges, I am currently working on overcoming these obstacles and am actively seeking appropriate treatment and support. I have already begun to see progress. I believe that, with the opportunity to continue my studies and implement my academic plan, I can achieve the academic success I strive for. I kindly request that you consider these extenuating circumstances and grant my petition to waive the Requirement to Withdraw, and to drop courses PHYS 104/106 and MATH 120. Thank you for your understanding and consideration.