Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12999
Submitted: April 25, 2025 at 12:01:40 PM
First Name: Xinran
Last Name: Wang
Pronoun: She/her
Preferred Name: Rissa
Student Number: 20333485
Email: 21xw58@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to request a waiver of the one-year deadline to petition for a Credit (CR) Standing in ASTR 101, which I completed in Fall 2022 during my first year at Bader College. I am seeking this waiver due to academic and mental health challenges that significantly impacted my performance and delayed my ability to petition within the original timeframe.
ASTR 101 was marketed as “a non-mathematical introduction to the science of astronomy for non-specialist students,” which led me to believe it would be accessible to Arts students without a science background. However, the course required an advanced understanding of chemistry, geology, and planetary science topics far beyond the level taught in Ontario high schools—especially for Arts students like myself, whose last science class was in Grade 10. I expected a science-popularizing course, but instead encountered content that was highly technical and demanding.
The course was also newly introduced that year, and the instructor (a visiting British professor) appeared unfamiliar with the academic background of Canadian students. He jumped directly into advanced concepts while many of us, especially from non-science backgrounds, were still struggling with foundational terms and formulas. As an ESL student, I also had difficulty understanding his fast-paced lectures due to his strong British accent, which further added to my confusion. This disconnect created significant learning barriers and, despite my best efforts, I received a D+, which I do not believe accurately reflects my abilities or dedication. I’ve attached a sample course reading to illustrate the level of scientific complexity, including topics like chemical bonding comparisons, hydrothermal vents, and radiation chemistry.
The failure in the second written assignment triggered my first significant mental health episode during the Fall term. I experienced a breakdown with self-harm and reliance on alcohol during the extended assignment and exam period. I felt ashamed and isolated, and did not seek help. In the following Winter term, I experienced an even more severe breakdown, brought on by the pressure of GPA expectations and the anxiety of returning to Kingston from Bader. This resulted in uncontrollable bleeding one night from self-harm, which led me to finally reach out to the Student Life Coordinator for first aid support. While this incident occurred the following term, it reflected the ongoing distress rooted in my experience with ASTR 101.
As a first-year international student and the first in my family to attend university, I was unfamiliar with the support systems available at Queen’s and unaware of the CR petition process. I internalized my struggles and believed my failure in ASTR 101 was due to personal inadequacy. Only recently, after accessing professional support at the Student Wellness Centre for the first time, have I begun to process these events with more clarity and self-compassion. I’ve attached a follow-up email from that outreach as additional context, even though it occurred after the term.
The delay in submitting this petition is directly linked to the ongoing impact of my mental health struggles, which persisted throughout my second year. I lacked the awareness, emotional stability, and institutional knowledge to pursue the petition process earlier. It wasn’t until Winter 2025—when the university strike disrupted my studies and I began engaging more openly with peers and staff—that I finally became aware of my eligibility to request Credit Standing under extenuating circumstances.
Given these sustained challenges, I hope the committee will consider my request to waive the one-year deadline. I believe a CR grade is the most appropriate and fair academic outcome for this course, allowing me to progress in my degree without long-term academic harm from a situation that was beyond my control.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am happy to provide any further documentation if needed.
Sincerely,
Rissa Wang
I am writing to request a waiver of the one-year deadline to petition for a Credit (CR) Standing in ASTR 101, which I completed in Fall 2022 during my first year at Bader College. I am seeking this waiver due to academic and mental health challenges that significantly impacted my performance and delayed my ability to petition within the original timeframe.
ASTR 101 was marketed as “a non-mathematical introduction to the science of astronomy for non-specialist students,” which led me to believe it would be accessible to Arts students without a science background. However, the course required an advanced understanding of chemistry, geology, and planetary science topics far beyond the level taught in Ontario high schools—especially for Arts students like myself, whose last science class was in Grade 10. I expected a science-popularizing course, but instead encountered content that was highly technical and demanding.
The course was also newly introduced that year, and the instructor (a visiting British professor) appeared unfamiliar with the academic background of Canadian students. He jumped directly into advanced concepts while many of us, especially from non-science backgrounds, were still struggling with foundational terms and formulas. As an ESL student, I also had difficulty understanding his fast-paced lectures due to his strong British accent, which further added to my confusion. This disconnect created significant learning barriers and, despite my best efforts, I received a D+, which I do not believe accurately reflects my abilities or dedication. I’ve attached a sample course reading to illustrate the level of scientific complexity, including topics like chemical bonding comparisons, hydrothermal vents, and radiation chemistry.
The failure in the second written assignment triggered my first significant mental health episode during the Fall term. I experienced a breakdown with self-harm and reliance on alcohol during the extended assignment and exam period. I felt ashamed and isolated, and did not seek help. In the following Winter term, I experienced an even more severe breakdown, brought on by the pressure of GPA expectations and the anxiety of returning to Kingston from Bader. This resulted in uncontrollable bleeding one night from self-harm, which led me to finally reach out to the Student Life Coordinator for first aid support. While this incident occurred the following term, it reflected the ongoing distress rooted in my experience with ASTR 101.
As a first-year international student and the first in my family to attend university, I was unfamiliar with the support systems available at Queen’s and unaware of the CR petition process. I internalized my struggles and believed my failure in ASTR 101 was due to personal inadequacy. Only recently, after accessing professional support at the Student Wellness Centre for the first time, have I begun to process these events with more clarity and self-compassion. I’ve attached a follow-up email from that outreach as additional context, even though it occurred after the term.
The delay in submitting this petition is directly linked to the ongoing impact of my mental health struggles, which persisted throughout my second year. I lacked the awareness, emotional stability, and institutional knowledge to pursue the petition process earlier. It wasn’t until Winter 2025—when the university strike disrupted my studies and I began engaging more openly with peers and staff—that I finally became aware of my eligibility to request Credit Standing under extenuating circumstances.
Given these sustained challenges, I hope the committee will consider my request to waive the one-year deadline. I believe a CR grade is the most appropriate and fair academic outcome for this course, allowing me to progress in my degree without long-term academic harm from a situation that was beyond my control.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am happy to provide any further documentation if needed.
Sincerely,
Rissa Wang
Documentation
Professional Letter: Mail - Rissa Wang - Outlook.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: Email with mental health counsellor
Documentation Detail: Course reading from ASTR 101