Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing this letter to request having all courses from the Winter 2024 and Summer 2024 terms removed from my transcript. My grades in these courses do not reflect my true academic potential and will inhibit me from moving forward in the Computing Major. It is my hope to return to my studies in Fall 2025, with new tools and strategies to succeed academically.

I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 12 and have struggled with it my whole life. Throughout high school, I did not know how to manage my ADHD and this negatively impacted my academic success. Then, while I was in Grade 11, my father passed away. The emotional turmoil of my father's passing led to substance use, which led to further emotional distress and impacted, among many things, my attendance, motivation and focus at school.

In grade 12, I felt the pressure of applying to university and worked hard to be accepted by Queen’s. I was able to do this with the support of my mother, tutors, and an academic advisor. I began my studies at Queen’s in Fall 2023. I worked hard initially but soon was overwhelmed by my ADHD, lack of study habits, and substance use.

After the Fall semester, the severity of my problems was clear. I didn't know anything about addiction and recovery, so I thought the problem was a lack of willpower or motivation and that I just needed to try harder. Because of this, I did not make any changes to better set myself up for success and planned to just