Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am petitioning the faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s for a minimum of 1 year, as well as to drop all courses that I have taken in the 2025-2026 academic year. These courses include: PHAR 100 (Fall, 2025), DRAM100A (Fall, 2025), FILM113 (Fall, 2025), CRWI 100 (Winter, 2026), DRAM100B (Winter, 2026), FILM 114 (Winter, 2026), FILM 218 (Winter, 2026), and FILM 250 (Winter, 2026).

My request is based on significant extenuating circumstances beyond my control that substantially affected my academic performance throughout the academic year. During this period, I was struggling with severe ADHD symptoms while my treatment plan was still being established and adjusted. Furthermore, I experienced longstanding sleep difficulties that significantly impaired my ability to maintain any sort of normal academic schedule, lifestyle regulation, and ability to meet academic responsibilities. Both circumstances affected all courses taken in the 2025-2026 academic year. This resulted in academic performance that was not a representation of my ability or potential as a student.

In February 2025, after long consideration, I made the decision to see a doctor for a possible ADHD diagnosis and treatment options. It was ruled that I did indeed have ADHD, and pharmacological treatment began. Unfortunately, it became clear throughout the year that my treatment was not stabilized. I experienced ongoing ADHD and additional medication symptoms well into the beginning of the Fall 2025 term. After consultation with my doctor, dosage changes were made in early 2026. This adjustment reflects the incomplete treatment regimen that had not been fully established. As a result, I continued to experience severe difficulties with concentration, organization, task initiation, and time management, all of which are essential for success at the university academic level.

In addition to ADHD-related challenges, my longstanding sleep difficulties were particularly disruptive at this point. With my sleep schedule becoming increasingly dysregulated, times arose where I was sleeping late into the day, or with incorrect ADHD medication dosage, staying awake for periods over 24 hours. This severely impacted my ability to attend classes routinely, maintain any sort of structured routine, complete academic work within required deadlines, or even know what day of the week it was. The chronic fatigue compounded with the ADHD symptoms, along with the negative side effects of irregularly taking my medication. In 2026, I was prescribed Trazodone to address these sleep issues, indicating that medical intervention was required to begin treating my persistent sleep irregularity.

As coursework continued, I fell increasingly behind in my studies. Despite continued effort, I was unable to recover academically. Hours of inability to concentrate, sleep debt, and academic tension grew as the term continued. I did not withdraw from my courses, as I believed my condition would improve as adjustments were made and sleep treatment became more effective. I continued to attempt to manage my workload, remaining academically engaged as much as possible, hoping I would be able to recover my course progress. Unfortunately, the nature of my symptoms (particularly those related to executive dysfunction) impaired my ability to accurately assess the severity of my academic situation. I was unable to make timely withdrawal decisions, as my focus remained on attempting to catch up academically rather than withdrawing from my courses.

Since that time, my condition has been more accurate and effectively managed. My ADHD treatment is more stable and consistent, and the recent medication for my sleep has started to slowly resolve those issues. I have also developed a clearer understanding as to how these conditions affect my academic functioning, and I am working carefully with my healthcare provider to manage and stabilize my treatment. I am committed to now using appropriate supports (such as academic advising, accommodations if needed, or non-Queen's specifics like study groups).

If this petition is granted, I will approach my studies with a structured, sustainable plan, including consistent use of academic planning systems and proactive engagement with course material. Early use of academic support will be another strategy. I am prepared to consider a reduced course load.

I respectfully petition that the faculty waive the Required to Withdraw decision and grant a late withdrawal from all listed courses that I took in the 2025-2026 academic year, based on the extenuating medical circumstances described above. I appreciate your time and consideration of my petition.


Sincerely,

Markus Szuky