Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Samuel Bak
Student #20295163

Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson, Associate Dean (Academic)

I am appealing to drop “PHIL 256 Existentialism and PHIL 263 Religion of Philosophy, both Fall 2023 and Hist 207 Global Indigenous Histories, HIST 215 Sport, Virtue & Spectacle of Violence, HIST 219 Canada: History of an Idea, and HIST 242 Issues in Canadian History, all Winter 2024” If necessary, also HIST 251.

I am appealing to drop these courses due to circumstances in both Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 semesters. Both first and second semester have been a struggle for me with my anxiety and depression. In the first semester I did drop some courses in time to lessen the workload, but I continued to struggle throughout. I did reach out for assistance to my QSAS advisor and talked to my professors. I had asked for an incomplete, but the professor felt it was better to retake the course this coming Winter semester and ask for a late drop. In the Winter semester, I was optimistic and determined to complete all my courses. For about 3 weeks mid-term, I wasn’t able attend classes and had difficulty getting through. I reached out to my advisor and Professors, to try to come up with a plan to finish the courses. I was behind in every course, and some Professors felt it would be difficult, but I could possibly catch up and some felt I wouldn’t be able to do the quality of work that I would want, and I might want to ask for a late drop. My intention was to keep going and try but I was too overwhelmed and had trouble concentrating on the course work. It was a lot to accomplish in a small amount of time.

My mental health has been a challenge since my first year of university. I begin optimistically each semester that this semester will be better but then I get in these ruts where my anxiety and depression is debilitating, and it is a challenge to leave the house and eat three meals a day as well as school. I feel embarrassed about my mental health struggles and discussing them with my advisor and Professors is difficult, but I have started to ask for help sooner than before. Rather than take courses this summer to catch up, I spent time working at my summer job and working on my mental self. In July, I had another peritonsillar abscess and had to have emergency surgery to remove it. Despite these past few years, for the first time in years, I am feeling better mentally. I met with my doctor in August, and we are slowly reducing my medication, but I realize I need to have other strategies in place. I have an upcoming intake appointment with a wellness centre for a new therapist. We also discussed an assessment for ADHD, as my having trouble concentrating may be separate from my anxiety. I will follow up with an evaluation for ADHD.

This year I am trying to focus on moving forward with my degree, hopefully being admitted into a History plan (and 300 level course this semester), and not dwelling or being ashamed of the struggles of the past few years. I’m hopeful that the current headspace I am starting this year with, as well as new strategies and continued dialogue with my healthcare professionals will lead to a more successful year academically. This is the first year since being at school I feel optimistic about these goals. I hope I am successful in my appeal. I feel it will offer me a fresh opportunity to genuinely succeed and move forward with my studies at Queen’s.

Thank you for your continued support and consideration.

Thank you,
Sam
Sam Bak