Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12440
Submitted: November 18, 2024 at 11:19:12 AM
First Name: Alessia
Last Name: Battisti
Pronoun: She/her
Preferred Name: Alessia
Student Number: 20332410
Email: 21amb43@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: LISC-M
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHAR 100
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Turner,Mandy Elizabeth, Nakatsu,Nicole
Code: PHYS 115
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Topper,Anne
Code: MATH 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Li,Ping
Code: BIOL 243
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Yakimowski,Sarah
Code: CHEM 281
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Carran,John
Code: BIOL 103
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Eckert,Christopher G, Moyes,Christopher D, Choudhury,Baharul
Code: BCHM 218
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Li,Ping
Code: PHGY 215
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Ward,Christopher
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Alessia Battisti
20332410
Arts & Science
Queen’s University
14 November 2024
Dear Associate Dean Dr. James Fraser,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally request a review and consideration for the removal of courses from my academic transcript and the requirement to withdraw for one year. I understand that this is an unusual request, but I believe there are extenuating circumstances that warrant such a petition, and I would like to provide further details to support my case.
The past two years at Queen’s have been a confusing and challenging time for me. Before coming to university, high school was a place where I thrived. I consistently excelled academically, earning the Principal’s Award every year and graduating with an average of 93%. However, the day I received university offers was one of the scariest moments of my life. At the last minute, I chose Queen’s, hoping that a change of environment might be good for me.
During my Grade 11 year, my mother suffered a brain aneurysm and underwent three surgeries over the course of three years. Due to COVID-19, I was unable to visit her in the hospital for two months. The experience of nearly losing her had a profound effect on me, and I became deeply anxious whenever we were apart. I constantly feared that every moment with her could be my last, which created an overwhelming sense of dread whenever I was away from home.
When I began my first year at Queen’s, I made a genuine effort to embrace the university culture and do my best, I joined intermural filed hockey and figure skating and even did a Medical Brigade in Honduras, but unfortunately, I struggled. In the second semester, I was prescribed anti-depressants, which initially helped but also led to increased anxiety. The medications made it difficult for me to leave my dorm, as I feared something bad might happen if I stepped outside. This heightened anxiety significantly impacted my ability to attend classes and fully engage in my studies.
The second year came quickly, and before I knew it, I found myself in a position where I had to put in my best effort. I had just received notice that my cumulative GPA was far too low, and I knew I had to step up my game or risk being required to withdraw. In the fall of 2024, I truly tried my hardest—I attended classes, went to labs, and tried to stay on campus instead of going home every weekend. I stuck it out, even when it felt difficult.
However, when I received my marks after Christmas break, I felt incredibly discouraged. Despite the effort I had put in, my grades didn’t reflect it. Looking back, I realized that while I was attending lectures, I wasn’t reviewing the material afterward, I wasn’t attending tutorials, and I didn’t reach out for help when I needed it most. When the winter term began, I was completely isolated. I stopped going to class, I didn’t show up for my exams, and I ended up with zeroes across the board.
I know that many students face challenges and still manage to push through, and I can’t help but feel that I let myself down. These past two years have really affected my mental health, and I’ve struggled with feelings of inadequacy. I’m not asking for a handout, but rather for a chance to show you who I really am as a student. I’m not the person my grades might suggest, and I know I am capable of so much more.
Taking this year off has given me a lot of time to reflect, and I’ve realized how much I’ve missed learning. I’ve been working non-stop to keep my mind occupied, but I can’t escape the fact that I am truly passionate about my education. I am requesting the opportunity to have these courses removed from my transcript and, if possible, to have the requirement to withdraw waived. My goal is to make the necessary adjustments to my academic record so that I can continue working towards a place where I can feel proud of my academic progress.
Thank you for considering my request, and I would be grateful for the chance to discuss this further.
20332410
Arts & Science
Queen’s University
14 November 2024
Dear Associate Dean Dr. James Fraser,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally request a review and consideration for the removal of courses from my academic transcript and the requirement to withdraw for one year. I understand that this is an unusual request, but I believe there are extenuating circumstances that warrant such a petition, and I would like to provide further details to support my case.
The past two years at Queen’s have been a confusing and challenging time for me. Before coming to university, high school was a place where I thrived. I consistently excelled academically, earning the Principal’s Award every year and graduating with an average of 93%. However, the day I received university offers was one of the scariest moments of my life. At the last minute, I chose Queen’s, hoping that a change of environment might be good for me.
During my Grade 11 year, my mother suffered a brain aneurysm and underwent three surgeries over the course of three years. Due to COVID-19, I was unable to visit her in the hospital for two months. The experience of nearly losing her had a profound effect on me, and I became deeply anxious whenever we were apart. I constantly feared that every moment with her could be my last, which created an overwhelming sense of dread whenever I was away from home.
When I began my first year at Queen’s, I made a genuine effort to embrace the university culture and do my best, I joined intermural filed hockey and figure skating and even did a Medical Brigade in Honduras, but unfortunately, I struggled. In the second semester, I was prescribed anti-depressants, which initially helped but also led to increased anxiety. The medications made it difficult for me to leave my dorm, as I feared something bad might happen if I stepped outside. This heightened anxiety significantly impacted my ability to attend classes and fully engage in my studies.
The second year came quickly, and before I knew it, I found myself in a position where I had to put in my best effort. I had just received notice that my cumulative GPA was far too low, and I knew I had to step up my game or risk being required to withdraw. In the fall of 2024, I truly tried my hardest—I attended classes, went to labs, and tried to stay on campus instead of going home every weekend. I stuck it out, even when it felt difficult.
However, when I received my marks after Christmas break, I felt incredibly discouraged. Despite the effort I had put in, my grades didn’t reflect it. Looking back, I realized that while I was attending lectures, I wasn’t reviewing the material afterward, I wasn’t attending tutorials, and I didn’t reach out for help when I needed it most. When the winter term began, I was completely isolated. I stopped going to class, I didn’t show up for my exams, and I ended up with zeroes across the board.
I know that many students face challenges and still manage to push through, and I can’t help but feel that I let myself down. These past two years have really affected my mental health, and I’ve struggled with feelings of inadequacy. I’m not asking for a handout, but rather for a chance to show you who I really am as a student. I’m not the person my grades might suggest, and I know I am capable of so much more.
Taking this year off has given me a lot of time to reflect, and I’ve realized how much I’ve missed learning. I’ve been working non-stop to keep my mind occupied, but I can’t escape the fact that I am truly passionate about my education. I am requesting the opportunity to have these courses removed from my transcript and, if possible, to have the requirement to withdraw waived. My goal is to make the necessary adjustments to my academic record so that I can continue working towards a place where I can feel proud of my academic progress.
Thank you for considering my request, and I would be grateful for the chance to discuss this further.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I am submitting this academic plan to outline the concrete steps I will take to ensure I perform better upon my return to studies. I recognize the challenges I faced over the past two years, and I am committed to making the necessary adjustments to succeed academically. This plan reflects the specific actions I will take to improve my academic habits, address the root causes of my struggles, and set myself up for success in the future.
After reflecting on my past performance, I’ve identified several factors that contributed to my challenges:
• Mental Health Struggles: I was dealing with significant anxiety and depression, which impacted my ability to focus and attend classes.
• Lack of Academic Support: I didn’t seek help when I needed it, whether it was through office hours, tutoring, or peer support.
• Time Management: I didn’t prioritize my studies effectively, often neglecting review sessions and failing to engage consistently with course material.
• Commuting: One significant factor I’ve realized in my academic journey is that commuting back and forth from home rather than staying on campus harmed my studies. While I initially thought that going home each weekend would provide me with the comfort and support, I needed, I now see how this decision affected my academic focus and overall productivity. The time spent traveling each week created a disruption in my routine, and I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in campus life or maintain a consistent study schedule.
To ensure my academic success upon returning, I plan to take the following actions:
1. Prioritize Mental Health
o I will continue to work with my doctor to develop strategies for managing anxiety and stress.
o I will maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal well-being, utilizing resources such as the campus counseling center if needed.
2. Engage Actively in Classes and Seek Academic Support
o I will attend all classes and labs regularly and actively participate in discussions and activities. I will also learn more towards online courses as I’ve seen I do better in this setting, for example my Pathology mark.
o I will attend office hours regularly, not just when I’m struggling, to develop a proactive relationship with my professors.
3. Develop Better Time Management Skills
o I will implement a weekly study schedule to ensure that I stay on top of assignments and exams.
o I will break down larger tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic deadlines to avoid last-minute cramming.
4. Plan Ahead of Time
o I have met with Academic Advisors since July and have discussed what actions I need to take for me to succeed.
o I will be taking if offered this summer, Biology 103 and Physiology 215 to help myself slowly get back into things.
5. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors
o I will meet with academic advisors at the start of each semester to ensure I’m on track with my course selections and academic progress.
o I will continuously update them on any questions and allow for their expertise to help me form a doable course schedule.
I am fully aware that I am past the deadline for appealing the one-year withdrawal, and I understand that this request may be a long shot. However, I am reaching out with the sincere hope that you might consider my situation. The time I’ve taken off has given me valuable perspective, and I now realize how deeply these challenges affected me. I should have sought help sooner, rather than trying to handle everything on my own. I am truly committed to improving and making the most of my time at Queen’s, and I am eager to show you my progress.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of my petition and academic plan. I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and prove that I can do much more.
After reflecting on my past performance, I’ve identified several factors that contributed to my challenges:
• Mental Health Struggles: I was dealing with significant anxiety and depression, which impacted my ability to focus and attend classes.
• Lack of Academic Support: I didn’t seek help when I needed it, whether it was through office hours, tutoring, or peer support.
• Time Management: I didn’t prioritize my studies effectively, often neglecting review sessions and failing to engage consistently with course material.
• Commuting: One significant factor I’ve realized in my academic journey is that commuting back and forth from home rather than staying on campus harmed my studies. While I initially thought that going home each weekend would provide me with the comfort and support, I needed, I now see how this decision affected my academic focus and overall productivity. The time spent traveling each week created a disruption in my routine, and I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in campus life or maintain a consistent study schedule.
To ensure my academic success upon returning, I plan to take the following actions:
1. Prioritize Mental Health
o I will continue to work with my doctor to develop strategies for managing anxiety and stress.
o I will maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal well-being, utilizing resources such as the campus counseling center if needed.
2. Engage Actively in Classes and Seek Academic Support
o I will attend all classes and labs regularly and actively participate in discussions and activities. I will also learn more towards online courses as I’ve seen I do better in this setting, for example my Pathology mark.
o I will attend office hours regularly, not just when I’m struggling, to develop a proactive relationship with my professors.
3. Develop Better Time Management Skills
o I will implement a weekly study schedule to ensure that I stay on top of assignments and exams.
o I will break down larger tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic deadlines to avoid last-minute cramming.
4. Plan Ahead of Time
o I have met with Academic Advisors since July and have discussed what actions I need to take for me to succeed.
o I will be taking if offered this summer, Biology 103 and Physiology 215 to help myself slowly get back into things.
5. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors
o I will meet with academic advisors at the start of each semester to ensure I’m on track with my course selections and academic progress.
o I will continuously update them on any questions and allow for their expertise to help me form a doable course schedule.
I am fully aware that I am past the deadline for appealing the one-year withdrawal, and I understand that this request may be a long shot. However, I am reaching out with the sincere hope that you might consider my situation. The time I’ve taken off has given me valuable perspective, and I now realize how deeply these challenges affected me. I should have sought help sooner, rather than trying to handle everything on my own. I am truly committed to improving and making the most of my time at Queen’s, and I am eager to show you my progress.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of my petition and academic plan. I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and prove that I can do much more.
Documentation
Professional Letter: 6907e9e5-2a9b-4189-844e-ab66d25de8c5.pdf
Documentation Detail: Article on my mom's situation https://uhnfoundation.ca/stories/brain-aneurysm-survivor-inspires-others-to-give-a-shift/
Document: Dr Ha note.pdf
Documentation Detail: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xxIVJCvGosxSUHeyrlkgYpB7OsbM-f9-/view?usp=sharing