Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Good evening, Dr. Dorit Naaman,

My name is Brianna Oliveira, and I am a Life Sciences student at Queen’s University. I am appealing to late drop CHEM 281 (Fall, 2024), MICR 271 (Fall, 2024), and PHGY 215 (Fall, 2024) as well as appealing to request an Aegrotat standing for BCHM 218 (Fall, 2024).

In mid-November 2024, I began re-experiencing symptoms related to a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). From my initial diagnosis until the middle of the Fall 2024 semester, I had been able to manage and cope with these symptoms and with the help of QSAS, had a very successful first few years at Queen’s. Once I began my deterioration in November, that, combined with familial circumstances that brought me back in contact with my abuser, made it difficult to accomplish day to day tasks, and thus excel in my studies. Some of my daily symptoms included, lack of motivation and focus, poor sleep, poor concentration, reduced appetite and thoughts of suicide and self-harm. I was extremely determined to finish the semester, as I was doing incredibly well in my courses and had not wanted to lose all my hard work and progress made prior to my relapse. I was hoping I would be able to endure my symptoms and get through the exam season, which is why I didn’t drop any of my courses earlier. In the beginning of December 2024, my mother began having concerns about my safety while in Kingston and decided that I should move back home, to Toronto, to be under the supervision of my family.

As December progressed, my symptoms continued to worsen. My mind was incapable of focusing on any amount of schoolwork, and I was unable to safely travel to/from Kingston or even sit and maintain concentration through a three-hour exam without having a severe panic attack. It was then that I decided to defer all my exams and potentially finish the semester at a later date.

Due to increasing concerns for my safety and an incident of self-harm that impaired my ability to walk, I was admitted to the hospital in early January for treatment. I was hospitalized for a month, undergoing treatment, before being discharged in February, once I was deemed safe and healthy enough to continue in off-unit treatment. This time spent in the hospital prevented me from being able to participate in the exam deferral period (which took place mid-January), and after coordinating with my instructors for further deferrals, they expressed that this would not be possible. During my inpatient admission, I spoke to my physician and team, deciding to take the winter semester off so that I could focus on my recovery.

After my discharge in February, I spent the next three months participating in rigorous outpatient recovery sessions, where I returned to the hospital unit three times a week. I also worked closely with a psychotherapist, who I continue to see to this day.

I am petitioning for an Aegrotat standing in BCHM218 (Fall, 2024), because I have finished and excelled at more than 70% of the course work. I feel my success in the course is evident in the fact that, despite receiving a zero for incompletion in the final exam worth 30%, I still finished the course with a passing grade of a C. Unfortunately, after missing the initial deferral there was no later one offered, and the course coordinator suggested I pursue alternative routes in requesting course completion. Realistically, I would have wanted to write the final exam in this course, as I know I would have performed to a high academic standard, however my circumstances prevented me from doing so.

Since my discharge and return to a healthier state, I have been able to continue my studies in the Fall 2025 semester. I am working towards repeating the courses I had taken in Fall 2024 (as my lack of completion of the final exams resulted in a failing grade in all but one) and have reduced my course load significantly. I continue to meet with my psychotherapist weekly/biweekly, take medication to help manage my symptoms and have regular check-in with my family physician. My education at Queen's University is very important to me, and these supports help me to maintain my health while still being able to achieve success in my academic life.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Kindest regards,
Brianna Oliveira (St#: 20391466)