Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr Stephenson:
I hope you are well; Apologies for the for the poor formatting of this letter, the online submission tool does not allow for formating to make this easier to read. I am writing to you concerning my current status as a student on academic probation. This letter is a petition to have my failed classes from the first and second semester of the 23-24 academic year changed to late drops.

I suffered a concussion in October of 2023, and I believe that this event caused an impairment in my ability to learn, study, complete assignments, and retain information. While I understand that, ultimately, I am to blame for not reaching out for help and support earlier, I have recently sought support, and wish to continue as a productive student in the Queen’s Kinesiology program.

In October of 2023, I fell and suffered a concussion; the results of which were more significant than I realized. I blacked out and was taken to the hospital and had to take a few days off from all activity to allow my brain to heal. However, I continued to have long term side-effects, including sensitivity to blue light, and frequent migraine-like headaches which occurred during periods of peak concentration. This typically meant that after two hours of focused study, I would get a headache that could sometimes last for many hours. The result of the headaches is that it limited my ability to pay attention in my lectures, as well as the amount of work I could accomplish.
For the past two years, I have been taking the antidepressant medication Escitalopram. While it aids in mood and hormonal stabilization, it is known to cause issues with concentration, alertness, and mental fatigue. The side effects, including ability to concentrate, and ‘brain fog’, were especially impactful when I began taking the medication, which coincided with my first months at Queen’s. Having been successful at an academically challenging high school I was not prepared for the impact of the antidepressant’s side effects. I was not a student who was used to requiring extra help and it was not apparent to me that I would be unable to manage my academics. I failed to recognize that I needed assistance and thought I could somehow push through the academics. This led to course grades far lower than I was striving for and four failed courses (two core, two elective).

I have recently recognized that I do need assistance with managing the aftereffects of my concussion and side effects of medication. I have been in touch with SASS and we have been developing strategies to improve my ability to concentrate and build study habits that are conducive to shorter and more frequent study periods. I am committed to my academics in the Queen’s Kinesiology program, and I plan to continue working with SASS to assist in achieving my goals. It has been recommended that I book an appointment with the RARC for a neuropsychological assessment to see whether I have any lasting damage that will require accommodations or treatment in the future which I intend to do. I have seen positive results since working with the support strategists at SASS and I am confident I am on the right track to pass all my classes.

I hope you consider this petition to amend my transcript due to the extenuating circumstances I have discussed. I will be submitting a doctor's note concerning my medication and the concussion I sustained last year. If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this letter or my supporting documentation, please email me at 22rfd2@queensu.ca.

Thank you for your consideration,

James MacNeil