Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear associate dean of artsci faculty,

I am petitioning for a ‘late drop’ to all of my 2024-2025 (first year) courses. During the past year I experienced a very sharp spike in my depression and anxiety, bordering on ocd. I really struggled to do things such as get out of bed, leave my room, eat, complete mundane tasks such as washing dishes or doing laundry, and completing my school work. Even as I made my best effort to do better and stay on track, my depression engulfed me in fear of socialization, which led to me not being able to seek out help. During this time I was on medication for my mental health struggles, but now, without the stress of school I am able to see it wasn't helping me much at all, therefore I have started to take a new medication which is having much more of a positive effect on my life. After having an assessment done I have learned I have a learning disability in math and struggle with working memory, which combined with extreme anxiety left very little space in my brain for retaining study material. Adding to my mental struggles was my grandpa passing away just before second semester final exams, which came as a great shock to me as he is the first loved one i have ever lost before. It hit especially hard as I was quite close with my grandfather and I wasn't even able to see him or say goodbye before he passed.this put a major block on my studies as it took me a while to process this passing, along with having to go home from school to attend his visitation and funeral. Upon returning to school I was still in a dark space, yet tried to push through on his behalf, completing multiple online course crams for my full year courses. Along with all the other stressors from the year, I was also contemplating my choices of program and thinking about my decision to stay in the economics program. As of now I am taking online science courses to see if I have interest in other artsci programs that may help me feel more passionate in my studies.

As for the late drop of my classes, I wasn't truly aware of how my grades were going to turn out and even with a lot of struggle I had faith I could pass enough classes or turn myself around, yet instead I kept falling deeper and deeper into depression. For the future, i am already feeling much better mentally and taking online courses over the summer (not with queens) to keep in the mindset of learning and to continue my education after my stumble of a first year. I am on my new medication and feeling a lot more motivated and practicing facing my anxieties and asking for help when needed.

If not all of my courses, even a few being dropped would really help me in the future of my studies as I am in a much better mindset and hope to be successful at school!

Thank you.