Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to request reconsideration of the requirement to withdraw from the university. Although I was previously granted the opportunity to continue my studies following an appeal, my academic performance declined again this year due to a serious deterioration in my mental health.
Last summer was the beginning of a downward spiral in my mental well-being that affected every aspect of my life. I struggled with a lack of motivation, mental fatigue, while also being overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and low self-worth. I became increasingly withdrawn, and that isolation led to unhealthy coping mechanisms, most notably substance use, which further disrupted my ability to function and engage with my studies. Despite my genuine intentions to recover and implement the strategies I outlined in my previous petition, I could not maintain consistent academic habits or make full use of my support systems. The shame and stigma I felt about my situation only worsened by self-isolation, making it difficult to ask for help until things became truly unmanageable. As this cycle continued into the fall and winter terms, it became clear that I could not meet the academic expectations required of me.
More recently, I have begun taking meaningful steps to address and recover from these challenges. I reached out to my family physician and was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. I have been prescribed Bupropion, which I have been taking consistently as directed. While it’s only been a short time, I have already noticed small but promising improvements in my ability to think clearly, manage my mood, and stay motivated. On top of this, I have started new treatment for the chronic skin conditions I struggle with (psoriasis and vitiligo), which have long contributed to my poor mental health and low self-esteem. My doctor has provided a letter in support of this petition, noting that I am now in a more stable position to resume academic responsibilities moving forward. I am also in the process of being referred to a psychiatrist and will begin therapy soon after to address both my depression and addictions. I’ve now been sober for three months from all substances. The emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms were intense, but I remained committed and leaned on support when it became too much to manage alone. Quitting has helped restore my mental clarity, energy, and sense of self. This was not an easy milestone to reach, but it marks a turning point in my recovery and affirms my dedication to changing my life for the better.
I recognize that I was unable to follow through on several of the strategies I proposed in my previous appeal, and I’ve taken time to reflect on why those efforts fell short. While I intended to attend SASS workshops and use time management tools, I didn’t fully recognize how deeply my untreated depression had impaired my ability to carry out even the most basic plans. I also overestimated my readiness to re-integrate academically without fully addressing the underlying issues first. This time, I am approaching recovery more seriously and sustainably. I’ve joined an online support group for individuals navigating addiction and recovery, where I’ve been able to connect with others facing similar challenges, share openly, and receive accountability. I’ve also been spending more time with the friends I’ve made this year, which has helped ease my sense of isolation and given me trusted people I can turn to during difficult moments. Most importantly, I now understand that my academic recovery depends on maintaining my mental health, not the other way around. I used to believe that my poor mental health was a direct result of academic struggles, and I assumed that achieving good grades would automatically improve how I felt. However, I have come to realize that this is a misconception and that mental health is the foundation, and when it is unstable, academic success becomes much harder to attain. Rather than academics fixing my emotional state, it is my mental well-being that must be prioritized first. By focusing on healing and managing my mental health, I am creating a stronger base from which to approach my studies effectively and sustainably.