Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13264
Submitted: June 2, 2025 at 7:37:44 AM
First Name: Chendi
Last Name: Yuan
Pronoun: Chendi Yuan
Preferred Name: Chendi Yuan
Student Number: 20383168
Email: 22bf20@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: General art and science(plan to choose ECON)
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to formally appeal the decision requiring me to withdraw from Queen’s due to my cumulative GPA falling below 1.6. I take full responsibility for my academic performance last term. Through this letter, I hope to explain the personal challenges I faced, how they affected my academic decisions, and why I am requesting the opportunity to continue my studies.
In November 2024, my family told me that my granduncle might have a serious health issue related to his kidneys. When I was a child and my parents were often away for work, he was the one who looked after me and provided emotional support. He also experienced a great personal loss many years ago when his only child passed away in a car accident. Since then, we have shared a close bond, and I have always seen him as one of my greatest emotional supports.
His illness really worried me. It happened close to my finals and assignments, and seriously affected my focus and performance, which lead to a series of the problem, the most serious one is the failure in CISC121. When he had surgery in January 2025, my family told me he had developed kidney failure (stage 5 chronic kidney disease) and now required daily dialysis. He could no longer care for himself and had to rely on others for basic needs. This news hit me hard, and the emotional weight of it affected me throughout the winter term.
I felt intense worry and guilt because I couldn’t visit him over the Lunar New Year. I struggled to focus, felt exhausted mentally and physically, and lost over 13 kilograms by the end of the term. Despite this, I tried to keep up with my studies. I completed all required assignments, used the school’s exam bank to practice with past exams, and got support from a friend back home. Despite these efforts, I was still deeply affected by my granduncle’s illness, and it made it harder to stay focused and organized. Finally, I passed 5 courses
though the GPA wasn’t good.
After the term ended, I went home and began visiting him weekly. When we spoke, he encouraged me to stay strong and keep going. That support reminded me of why I want to keep trying.
Looking back now, I don’t think retaking CISC121 at that time was a wise choice. I was under a lot of stress, but I was so eager to fix my previous grade and pull up my GPA that I still choose it anyway. The truth is, I couldn’t handle it. Trying to push through a tough course while dealing with so much emotional pressure just made things worse. If I hadn’t taken it, I could’ve spent more time and energy on my other classes, and I’m confident my GPA would’ve been higher than now and met the requirement. This wasn’t a reflection of my academic ability, but rather a poor decision made under stress. I will apply the lessons I’ve learned from overloading myself in the past—especially from taking multiple challenging courses in my first and second year—and I will never overload my schedule again.
I understand that Queens expects students to take responsibility for both their academic performance and their recovery. I’ve reflected deeply on the difficulties I faced, and I now have a much clearer sense of how to recognize my limits and make better choices under pressure. This appeal is my way of showing that I’ve grown from the experience and that I’m ready to move forward with stronger judgment and a more balanced approach. I’m committed to the academic plan I’ve outlined and to earning back the trust of the university.
Finally, I truly value being part of the Queen’s community. The learning environment here pushes me to grow, and I don’t take that for granted. Given the exceptional circumstances I’ve described, I respectfully request that the university waive the one-year withdrawal requirement. I’m determined to continue my studies and prove that I can meet and exceed expectations.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Best regards,
Chendi Yuan
20383168
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to formally appeal the decision requiring me to withdraw from Queen’s due to my cumulative GPA falling below 1.6. I take full responsibility for my academic performance last term. Through this letter, I hope to explain the personal challenges I faced, how they affected my academic decisions, and why I am requesting the opportunity to continue my studies.
In November 2024, my family told me that my granduncle might have a serious health issue related to his kidneys. When I was a child and my parents were often away for work, he was the one who looked after me and provided emotional support. He also experienced a great personal loss many years ago when his only child passed away in a car accident. Since then, we have shared a close bond, and I have always seen him as one of my greatest emotional supports.
His illness really worried me. It happened close to my finals and assignments, and seriously affected my focus and performance, which lead to a series of the problem, the most serious one is the failure in CISC121. When he had surgery in January 2025, my family told me he had developed kidney failure (stage 5 chronic kidney disease) and now required daily dialysis. He could no longer care for himself and had to rely on others for basic needs. This news hit me hard, and the emotional weight of it affected me throughout the winter term.
I felt intense worry and guilt because I couldn’t visit him over the Lunar New Year. I struggled to focus, felt exhausted mentally and physically, and lost over 13 kilograms by the end of the term. Despite this, I tried to keep up with my studies. I completed all required assignments, used the school’s exam bank to practice with past exams, and got support from a friend back home. Despite these efforts, I was still deeply affected by my granduncle’s illness, and it made it harder to stay focused and organized. Finally, I passed 5 courses
though the GPA wasn’t good.
After the term ended, I went home and began visiting him weekly. When we spoke, he encouraged me to stay strong and keep going. That support reminded me of why I want to keep trying.
Looking back now, I don’t think retaking CISC121 at that time was a wise choice. I was under a lot of stress, but I was so eager to fix my previous grade and pull up my GPA that I still choose it anyway. The truth is, I couldn’t handle it. Trying to push through a tough course while dealing with so much emotional pressure just made things worse. If I hadn’t taken it, I could’ve spent more time and energy on my other classes, and I’m confident my GPA would’ve been higher than now and met the requirement. This wasn’t a reflection of my academic ability, but rather a poor decision made under stress. I will apply the lessons I’ve learned from overloading myself in the past—especially from taking multiple challenging courses in my first and second year—and I will never overload my schedule again.
I understand that Queens expects students to take responsibility for both their academic performance and their recovery. I’ve reflected deeply on the difficulties I faced, and I now have a much clearer sense of how to recognize my limits and make better choices under pressure. This appeal is my way of showing that I’ve grown from the experience and that I’m ready to move forward with stronger judgment and a more balanced approach. I’m committed to the academic plan I’ve outlined and to earning back the trust of the university.
Finally, I truly value being part of the Queen’s community. The learning environment here pushes me to grow, and I don’t take that for granted. Given the exceptional circumstances I’ve described, I respectfully request that the university waive the one-year withdrawal requirement. I’m determined to continue my studies and prove that I can meet and exceed expectations.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Best regards,
Chendi Yuan
20383168
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: 1. Focus on choosing the right course
I plan to take courses related to Economics, as I find it better aligned with my strengths and interests compared to Mathematics. My goal is to take no more than four courses per term, so I can focus on achieving better grades in each one and steadily improve my GPA. Regarding CISC121, I will consider retaking it only after I have regained stability in my studies and feel confident that I can handle it without compromising my overall academic performance.
2. Course Preparation
During summer breaks, I will use the time to prepare for upcoming courses so that I can better keep up during the regular term. I will preview materials by reading course syllabus posted by professors, searching for related course content online, and studying past exam questions available on Exam Bank. If possible, I will also consult students who have previously taken the same courses to gain practical study tips and advice. All of these steps
will help reduce pressure during the term and allow me to stay ahead of the course schedule.
3. Time Management and Planning
Once I receive my course timetable, I will create a weekly study plan and continuously adjust it based on progress. I will arrange time reasonably for previewing, reviewing, assignments, and practical work for each course. I will strictly follow my plan to avoid procrastination and maintain focus. Additionally, I will create a personal staff schedule before the course add/drop deadlines to evaluate which courses I can manage, which I
cannot, and which are beneficial to my major.
4. In Class
I will actively participate in class, take detailed notes, and review and organize class content daily to reinforce my knowledge.
5. Track of Problems and Ask for Help Early in different ways
For any academic issues or assignment difficulties, I will document and organize my questions and seek support from professors or TAs through email or office hours. I will build the habit of communicating frequently with instructors to gain feedback and improve my understanding of course content every week. At the same time, I’ll also try to find my classmates or upper-year students to share tips, and get help from each other out so I can
keep up better with my courses.
6. Advisor Consultation
Every month, I will meet with my academic advisor to review my progress, receive learning guidance, and refine my study plan for better outcomes.
7. Reading and Writing Skills
As I enter the third year of my program, I will consciously work on improving my academic reading and writing. I plan to use resources such as the university library to regularly read academic texts, articles, and literature. This will enhance my comprehension and critical thinking skills. I will try to write essays, summaries, and reflections more frequently to improve the structure, clarity, and academic tone of my writing.
8. My Goal
My first goal is to raise my GPA above 1.9 and to maintain or exceed this level in future terms. Currently, my major is not Honours program. I really hope I can get a higher GPA through hard work to transfer to an Honours program, which will benefit my future academic and career development.
9. Mental Health
After seeing my granduncle, I realized that although his condition is still not great, my parents and my grandaunt have been taking good care of him, and they told me his illness has temporarily stabilized. They also suggested me to pay more attention to my study, and If I have difficulties, I should tell them and solve the problem together. In case I experience emotional stress or face another emergency similar to my granduncle’s health crisis, I will contact Queen’s Student Wellness Services for mental health support and guidance. If any personal or family-related emergencies happen again, I will also apply for Academic Consideration promptly to ensure my academic standing is protected and instructors are formally notified.
Provider:Chendi Yuan
I plan to take courses related to Economics, as I find it better aligned with my strengths and interests compared to Mathematics. My goal is to take no more than four courses per term, so I can focus on achieving better grades in each one and steadily improve my GPA. Regarding CISC121, I will consider retaking it only after I have regained stability in my studies and feel confident that I can handle it without compromising my overall academic performance.
2. Course Preparation
During summer breaks, I will use the time to prepare for upcoming courses so that I can better keep up during the regular term. I will preview materials by reading course syllabus posted by professors, searching for related course content online, and studying past exam questions available on Exam Bank. If possible, I will also consult students who have previously taken the same courses to gain practical study tips and advice. All of these steps
will help reduce pressure during the term and allow me to stay ahead of the course schedule.
3. Time Management and Planning
Once I receive my course timetable, I will create a weekly study plan and continuously adjust it based on progress. I will arrange time reasonably for previewing, reviewing, assignments, and practical work for each course. I will strictly follow my plan to avoid procrastination and maintain focus. Additionally, I will create a personal staff schedule before the course add/drop deadlines to evaluate which courses I can manage, which I
cannot, and which are beneficial to my major.
4. In Class
I will actively participate in class, take detailed notes, and review and organize class content daily to reinforce my knowledge.
5. Track of Problems and Ask for Help Early in different ways
For any academic issues or assignment difficulties, I will document and organize my questions and seek support from professors or TAs through email or office hours. I will build the habit of communicating frequently with instructors to gain feedback and improve my understanding of course content every week. At the same time, I’ll also try to find my classmates or upper-year students to share tips, and get help from each other out so I can
keep up better with my courses.
6. Advisor Consultation
Every month, I will meet with my academic advisor to review my progress, receive learning guidance, and refine my study plan for better outcomes.
7. Reading and Writing Skills
As I enter the third year of my program, I will consciously work on improving my academic reading and writing. I plan to use resources such as the university library to regularly read academic texts, articles, and literature. This will enhance my comprehension and critical thinking skills. I will try to write essays, summaries, and reflections more frequently to improve the structure, clarity, and academic tone of my writing.
8. My Goal
My first goal is to raise my GPA above 1.9 and to maintain or exceed this level in future terms. Currently, my major is not Honours program. I really hope I can get a higher GPA through hard work to transfer to an Honours program, which will benefit my future academic and career development.
9. Mental Health
After seeing my granduncle, I realized that although his condition is still not great, my parents and my grandaunt have been taking good care of him, and they told me his illness has temporarily stabilized. They also suggested me to pay more attention to my study, and If I have difficulties, I should tell them and solve the problem together. In case I experience emotional stress or face another emergency similar to my granduncle’s health crisis, I will contact Queen’s Student Wellness Services for mental health support and guidance. If any personal or family-related emergencies happen again, I will also apply for Academic Consideration promptly to ensure my academic standing is protected and instructors are formally notified.
Provider:Chendi Yuan
Documentation
Professional Letter: Supportingdocument.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: This document includes the hospital test report, discharge summary, photos with my relative, and photos about his daily medications.