Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to formally petition for a post-deadline course drop of MATH 112: Introduction to Linear Algebra from the Fall 2025 term. I am requestion this drop past the academic deadline due to a combination of a significant prior educational gap and recent health-related anxiety that affected my academic performance.


Extenuating Circumstances & Academic Impact: In April of this year (2025), I was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, which required emergency care (documented April 16th and 17th), and a month-long absence from highschool. This absence occurred when my Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) course covered the foundational concepts of vectors and linear algebra. Upon my return around the middle of May, I was advised by my highschool's guidance counsellors to focus solely on graduation and staying above the minimum requirement for my Queen's Computing conditional offer, rather than deep subject mastery to aid in my recovery. Furthermore, from June through August, I was put on intensive treatment with Prednisone in addition to antibiotics and high-dose vitamin D supplements to counteract some of the effects caused my Prednisone.

While I was physically healthy entering the Fall terms, the combination of missing a month of prerequisite math, and then being told not to worry about school and just meet your conditional offer and graduation requirements left me unprepared for how challenging university-level linear algebra would be. I entered the term with a significant knowledge gap that I mistakenly believed I could bridge through self-study.


Rationale for Missing the Deadline: As the term progressed, the cumulative nature of MATH 112 became overwhelming. While I was determined to improve my grade, the pressure of my prior medically-induced knowledge gap led me into a state of anxiety, and I found myself in a situation I was told by my nurses and doctors to avoid being in, which is being distressed. The reason being is because it a factor that may potentially lead to a relapse of Nephrotic Syndrome. We actually had some conversations with my family about whether or not I should enrol for the fall term and instead enrol for winter, or maybe even take a gap year, but I insisted that things would be alright. By the time I reached my medical checkup on November 19th, I was in a state of psychological distress that distracted me from considering the December 2nd deadline to drop the course.


Resolution: I recognize the need to address my prerequisite gaps, and intend to retake this course in the winter term where I will be better positioned for success. I have also identified a behavioural pattern of attempting to overcome challenges in isolation. Moving forward, I am committed to utilizing university resources, such as office hours and academic advising, to ensure I am seeking guidance at the first sign of difficulty rather than allowing distress to accumulate.

I thank you in advance for your consideration.

Kind regards,
Vedesh Panday