Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Josée Touesnard
20381494
Monday January 13th, 2025

Code: Psyc 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Meghan Norris


Code: Chem 112
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Alaina Boyd


Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to formally petition for Credit Standing (CR) for the following courses: PSYC 100 and CHEM 112. This request is made in light of significant extenuating circumstances beyond my control that have adversely affected my academic performance.

My first year of University, I encountered severe challenges that substantially affected my ability to meet course requirements. I have faced ongoing challenges that have increased my stress and anxiety, significantly impacting my ability to focus and concentrate. These two courses were year-long courses (cumulative), and ultimately, many of the ongoing events worsened my mental wellbeing, resulting in poor academic performance. I had no intention of dropping the courses, as I truly enjoyed them, and they were essential to my academic program. I have always had a passion for learning. I was optimistic that by the second semester, my mental health would have improved and I would be able to thrive in my studies.

September 2023: Wildfires in my hometown forced my family to be displaced mid August and unable to return home. I have experienced 3 natural disaster evacuations and it has resulted in mild PTSD. When the Northwest Territories finally allowed the residents to return, active fires still surrounded us, causing considerable stress for me worrying about the safety of my family. For about a month, I struggled with sleep issues, often entering a fight-or-flight mode when I heard sirens (my residence was near the hospital, so I often heard sirens at night). My increased fatigue severely affected my concentration in class and my ability to retain information.

November: I scheduled a counselling session that was canceled and rescheduled, ultimately leading to the rescheduling being canceled again. Unfortunately, I did not reach out to reschedule after the second cancellation. Despite my efforts to manage these challenges, including attempting to reach out to a counselor, our schedules did not align, and we were unable to meet. The severity of my situation made it difficult to maintain my usual level of academic performance.

November → Second Semester : My ex-partner from the Northwest Territories—someone with whom I had experienced violence—applied to Queen's for the January semester, intending to see me upon his acceptance. I had scheduled a meeting with the Residence Life Coordinator to discuss safety measures in light of these concerns. The start of the Winter Semester, I saw him frequently, coinciding with my schedule in two overlapping courses. This situation heightened my stress considerably.

My mental health, which was already a challenge, deteriorated further due to these ongoing events, resulting in serious issues such as not eating or sleeping well and experiencing self-harm and suicidal ideation. I found myself in a fragile state, which made it nearly impossible to succeed academically and was reflected in my poor grades. My unsatisfactory performance left me feeling disappointed and ashamed, creating a cycle of low self-esteem that negatively impacted my mental health.

Resolution and Recovery
Since these events, I have sought academic support through SASS, with Lindsay Heggie as my advisor. We meet bi-weekly on Mondays to discuss action plans and check on my progress. I also switched to a different ADHD medication, which has significantly improved my focus and energy levels. Additionally, I arranged tutoring sessions at the beginning of the semester for my classes.

As of Fall 2024, my ex-partner is no longer at Queen’s, which has provided me with considerable relief. These steps have greatly enhanced my ability to manage challenges moving forward. I am in a much better mental state now and remain highly motivated to excel academically, which aligns with my goal of working in healthcare. While some days are more challenging than others concerning my mental health, I am trying to connect with a personal counsellor to help me navigate these issues, ensuring I do not face them alone.

Last year, I took a reduced course load and was one credit short of declaring a major, so this year, I have taken extra courses to ensure I have enough credits for my transfer. I am genuinely passionate about my education and grateful to attend Queen's. I plan to complete my studies in Nursing or Health Sciences to better align with my future goals.

Thank you for considering my petition for Credit Standing. If you have any questions regarding my request, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Josée Touesnard
22gbcj@queensu.ca
20381494