Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am petitioning for a late drop of the following courses: BCHM 315 (Fall '23), PHYS 115 (Fall '23), PHYS 116 (Winter '24), CHEM 223 (Winter '24), and BCHM 316 (Winter '24).

During the Fall '23 semester, I faced significant challenges related to both my mental and physical health. Although the course load was not particularly heavy compared to previous semesters, it became especially difficult due to surgery in mid-October, which severely impacted my well-being. I struggled with basic daily tasks, including attending classes and completing assignments. Despite submitting some work on time, it did not accurately reflect my understanding of the material.

I initially did not consider dropping the courses, hoping that my mental health would improve quickly enough to salvage my grades. By November 1st, my mental health was at its lowest, and I did not seek help due to difficulties in expressing my emotions. This led to further challenges in keeping up with coursework. It wasn’t until the winter semester that I reached out to a counselor at the Student Wellness Centre.

In the Winter '24 semester, despite using coping mechanisms suggested by Mental Health Services, I continued to experience frequent illnesses and difficulties with daily activities. Mid-semester, I began experiencing severe abdominal pain, which worsened during exams. For my BCHM 316 exam, I had to leave to go to the hospital. At the time, I did not consider dropping the courses, believing I could still pass them.

Looking forward, I plan to retake CHEM 223, PHYS 115, PHYS 116, BCHM 315, and BCHM 316 in the upcoming school year. I will focus on managing my workload, seeking support, and maintaining a lighter course load to avoid becoming overwhelmed. These steps will help me complete my degree and achieve my academic goals.

Thank you for considering my petition.

Kind regards,

Manmeet Gill