Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: James Trickett
Petition to waive deadline



I am writing this response to request that the university waive the petition deadline in regards to my academic standing at Queen’s University. Thank you for this opportunity to appeal a prior decision.

In May, I received a notice that required me to withdraw from studies for one year. At the time I received the letter, I was scared, anxious and embarrassed, and I neglected to share the news with my parents. I was unsure about how to process this information and didn’t know how to move forward. As a result, I missed the deadline to submit any appeals to the decision. This is my mistake.

Since then, I have acknowledged and owned up to my mistake and I have learned from it. I now know the importance of asking for help when I need it, and I see how this will make me a stronger and more committed student.

Why am I asking for your help now and why did I miss the deadline?

I am now asking for you to waive my required withdrawal from Queen’s University so that I can re-enrol in courses in January 2026. I believe this is fair for compassionate reasons. It took me a long time to understand the factors that contributed to my situation. By sharing this news with my parents and seeking their support, and by seeking guidance from other professionals, I now know that there were many factors that contributed to my academic challenges during my first couple of years at Queen’s. I want to share these in the hope that it will help you better understand my circumstances.

When I arrived at Queen’s, I was grieving the loss of two close family members. I didn’t realize how deeply these deaths impacted me, and my well-being. This was compounded by a prolonged illness in my first year which left me fatigued for months. I entered my second year feeling discouraged by my performance in the first year while working to build up my physical and mental well-being. It was difficult for me to make progress due to my own personal challenges. These extenuating circumstances affected my performance as a student and my ability to seek help.

I believe I now know what I need to move forward. I have become more self-aware regarding my needs, areas for development and strengths. I have sought and am seeking professional help, and I have a support network in place that I know I can call on in times of need. I have learned from my mistakes and I am keen to commit to my learning and am now asking for your help. I would like to return to Queen’s in January 2026.