Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14467
Submitted: June 14, 2026 at 9:05:08 PM
First Name: Amy
Last Name: Owen
Pronoun: She/her
Preferred Name: Amy
Student Number: 20196872
Email: 19aeo3@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: HIST
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Members of the Petitions/Appeals Committee,
I am writing to respectfully petition the decision requiring me to withdraw from my studies for three years. I am asking for the opportunity to continue my education under a structured academic performance plan so that I can repeat my failed courses, improve my grades, raise my GPA, and meet the minimum GPA requirement needed to graduate.
The reason for my petition is that my academic performance was directly affected by extenuating circumstances beyond my control, specifically ongoing physical health issues and chronic pain. During the period when my grades declined, my health significantly affected my ability to function as a student. My chronic pain impacted my sleep, concentration, energy, attendance, and ability to complete coursework on time. Although I take responsibility for my academic record, my poor performance during this period did not reflect my true ability or commitment to completing my degree. It reflected the impact of health circumstances that were not properly controlled at time. During this time, I struggled to attend classes consistently, keep up with readings and lectures, complete assignments by the deadline, and prepare properly for tests and exams. As a result, I failed some courses and my GPA stayed below the minimum required to graduate.
The main issue was not a lack of effort or interest in my studies. The issue was that my physical symptoms made it difficult to maintain the consistency that university coursework requires. Chronic pain affected my ability to sit and study for long periods of time, focus during lectures, complete assignments at the level expected, and manage multiple deadlines at once. When my symptoms were worse, I fell behind, and once I fell behind, it became very difficult to recover academically within the term.
I have taken steps to address these circumstances. I have consulted with health-care professionals and I am now receiving treatment for my chronic pain and health issues. I am continuing to follow my treatment plan and I am in a better position to manage my health while studying. My supporting documentation outlines the medical circumstances that affected me and shows that I have taken steps to deal with these issues.
If my petition is granted, I plan to return with a realistic and structured academic plan. My first priority will be to repeat the courses I failed so that I can earn stronger grades and improve my GPA. I will meet with an academic advisor to review my transcript, confirm which failed courses should be repeated first, and create a semester-by-semester plan that focuses on the courses needed for graduation. I will prioritize the courses that are required for my program and the courses that will have the greatest impact on improving my GPA.
I also plan to take a reduced course load so that I can balance my health, treatment, and academic responsibilities more effectively. I understand that taking too many courses at once would increase the risk of falling behind again. A lighter course load will allow me to focus more seriously on each course and give me a better chance of earning the grades I need.
In addition, I will use academic and student support services more consistently. This includes meeting with academic advising, accessing tutoring or writing support where needed, attending professor office hours, and meeting with accessibility services to see what other support I can get. I will also continue my medical treatment and communicate earlier with my instructors, advisor, or accessibility services if my health begins to interfere with my coursework again.
I understand the seriousness of my academic situation and the importance of meeting the minimum GPA required to graduate. I am not asking for the impact of my grades to be ignored. I am asking for the chance to correct my academic record through a clear plan: repeat failed courses, improve my grades, raise my GPA, and complete my degree requirements. I am prepared to follow any conditions the university places on my return, including a reduced course load, regular academic advising, accessibility support, or minimum grade expectations.
A three-year withdrawal would be a major setback to my academic progress and personal circumstances. I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the direct connection between my documented health issues and my academic performance, as well as the steps I have now taken to manage my health and improve my ability to succeed. I am committed to returning as a more prepared, responsible, and supported student.
Thank you for taking the time to review my petition and consider my request.
Sincerely,
Amy Owen
I am writing to respectfully petition the decision requiring me to withdraw from my studies for three years. I am asking for the opportunity to continue my education under a structured academic performance plan so that I can repeat my failed courses, improve my grades, raise my GPA, and meet the minimum GPA requirement needed to graduate.
The reason for my petition is that my academic performance was directly affected by extenuating circumstances beyond my control, specifically ongoing physical health issues and chronic pain. During the period when my grades declined, my health significantly affected my ability to function as a student. My chronic pain impacted my sleep, concentration, energy, attendance, and ability to complete coursework on time. Although I take responsibility for my academic record, my poor performance during this period did not reflect my true ability or commitment to completing my degree. It reflected the impact of health circumstances that were not properly controlled at time. During this time, I struggled to attend classes consistently, keep up with readings and lectures, complete assignments by the deadline, and prepare properly for tests and exams. As a result, I failed some courses and my GPA stayed below the minimum required to graduate.
The main issue was not a lack of effort or interest in my studies. The issue was that my physical symptoms made it difficult to maintain the consistency that university coursework requires. Chronic pain affected my ability to sit and study for long periods of time, focus during lectures, complete assignments at the level expected, and manage multiple deadlines at once. When my symptoms were worse, I fell behind, and once I fell behind, it became very difficult to recover academically within the term.
I have taken steps to address these circumstances. I have consulted with health-care professionals and I am now receiving treatment for my chronic pain and health issues. I am continuing to follow my treatment plan and I am in a better position to manage my health while studying. My supporting documentation outlines the medical circumstances that affected me and shows that I have taken steps to deal with these issues.
If my petition is granted, I plan to return with a realistic and structured academic plan. My first priority will be to repeat the courses I failed so that I can earn stronger grades and improve my GPA. I will meet with an academic advisor to review my transcript, confirm which failed courses should be repeated first, and create a semester-by-semester plan that focuses on the courses needed for graduation. I will prioritize the courses that are required for my program and the courses that will have the greatest impact on improving my GPA.
I also plan to take a reduced course load so that I can balance my health, treatment, and academic responsibilities more effectively. I understand that taking too many courses at once would increase the risk of falling behind again. A lighter course load will allow me to focus more seriously on each course and give me a better chance of earning the grades I need.
In addition, I will use academic and student support services more consistently. This includes meeting with academic advising, accessing tutoring or writing support where needed, attending professor office hours, and meeting with accessibility services to see what other support I can get. I will also continue my medical treatment and communicate earlier with my instructors, advisor, or accessibility services if my health begins to interfere with my coursework again.
I understand the seriousness of my academic situation and the importance of meeting the minimum GPA required to graduate. I am not asking for the impact of my grades to be ignored. I am asking for the chance to correct my academic record through a clear plan: repeat failed courses, improve my grades, raise my GPA, and complete my degree requirements. I am prepared to follow any conditions the university places on my return, including a reduced course load, regular academic advising, accessibility support, or minimum grade expectations.
A three-year withdrawal would be a major setback to my academic progress and personal circumstances. I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the direct connection between my documented health issues and my academic performance, as well as the steps I have now taken to manage my health and improve my ability to succeed. I am committed to returning as a more prepared, responsible, and supported student.
Thank you for taking the time to review my petition and consider my request.
Sincerely,
Amy Owen
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: A major part of my academic plan is to focus on the courses where I received lower grades or failed because those courses give me the clearest opportunity to improve my academic standing. My goal is not only to return to school, but to return in a way that directly improves my transcript, raises my GPA, and helps me meet the minimum GPA required to graduate.
If I am allowed to return, I plan to review my transcript with an academic advisor and identify the courses where repeating them would have the strongest positive effect on my GPA. For example, if I received a failing grade or a very low grade in a required course, I would prioritize retaking that course first. Repeating a course gives me the opportunity to show that the original grade was not a true reflection of my ability, but was connected to the health issues and chronic pain I was experiencing at the time.
For classes where my grade was low because I missed lectures, fell behind on readings, or could not keep up with weekly assignments, I now have a different plan. I will attend classes consistently, keep a weekly schedule, and break assignments into smaller deadlines instead of waiting until the due date. For example, if I previously struggled in a course because I missed several assignments or submitted work late, I would improve by starting assignments earlier, meeting with the professor or TA before the deadline, and using academic support services to review my work.
For courses that involve essays, readings, or written assignments, I can improve my grades by using the writing centre, professor office hours, and assignment planning. If I previously received a low grade because my essays were rushed or not fully developed, I would now create an outline early, ask for feedback, and revise my work before submitting it. This would help me produce stronger arguments, clearer writing, and better-organized assignments.
For courses that involve tests, exams, or memorization, I can improve by studying consistently throughout the term instead of trying to catch up at the end. If I previously performed poorly on midterms or final exams because my health made it difficult to concentrate and prepare, I would now use a weekly study routine, practice questions, review sessions, and tutoring if needed. I would also seek accessibility accommodations if I qualify, such as testing support, breaks, or other accommodations that would help me manage chronic pain during exams.
For any courses where participation, attendance, or weekly discussion posts affected my grade, I would make those tasks a priority from the beginning of the term. If I previously lost marks because I was absent or too overwhelmed to participate, I would now use a lighter course load so that I can keep up with smaller weekly expectations. This would help prevent me from losing easy marks that can make a major difference in my final grade.
My plan is to focus first on the courses where I earned the lowest grades because improving those marks would have the greatest impact on my GPA. For example, raising a failed course to a passing grade, or improving a D-range grade to a B-range grade, would show clear academic improvement and help repair my academic record. These are realistic goals because my circumstances are different now: I am receiving treatment, I understand the supports I need, and I plan to return with a reduced course load instead of trying to manage too many courses at once.
I also plan to make what changes to the plan I need to to see myself succeed.
If I am allowed to return, I plan to review my transcript with an academic advisor and identify the courses where repeating them would have the strongest positive effect on my GPA. For example, if I received a failing grade or a very low grade in a required course, I would prioritize retaking that course first. Repeating a course gives me the opportunity to show that the original grade was not a true reflection of my ability, but was connected to the health issues and chronic pain I was experiencing at the time.
For classes where my grade was low because I missed lectures, fell behind on readings, or could not keep up with weekly assignments, I now have a different plan. I will attend classes consistently, keep a weekly schedule, and break assignments into smaller deadlines instead of waiting until the due date. For example, if I previously struggled in a course because I missed several assignments or submitted work late, I would improve by starting assignments earlier, meeting with the professor or TA before the deadline, and using academic support services to review my work.
For courses that involve essays, readings, or written assignments, I can improve my grades by using the writing centre, professor office hours, and assignment planning. If I previously received a low grade because my essays were rushed or not fully developed, I would now create an outline early, ask for feedback, and revise my work before submitting it. This would help me produce stronger arguments, clearer writing, and better-organized assignments.
For courses that involve tests, exams, or memorization, I can improve by studying consistently throughout the term instead of trying to catch up at the end. If I previously performed poorly on midterms or final exams because my health made it difficult to concentrate and prepare, I would now use a weekly study routine, practice questions, review sessions, and tutoring if needed. I would also seek accessibility accommodations if I qualify, such as testing support, breaks, or other accommodations that would help me manage chronic pain during exams.
For any courses where participation, attendance, or weekly discussion posts affected my grade, I would make those tasks a priority from the beginning of the term. If I previously lost marks because I was absent or too overwhelmed to participate, I would now use a lighter course load so that I can keep up with smaller weekly expectations. This would help prevent me from losing easy marks that can make a major difference in my final grade.
My plan is to focus first on the courses where I earned the lowest grades because improving those marks would have the greatest impact on my GPA. For example, raising a failed course to a passing grade, or improving a D-range grade to a B-range grade, would show clear academic improvement and help repair my academic record. These are realistic goals because my circumstances are different now: I am receiving treatment, I understand the supports I need, and I plan to return with a reduced course load instead of trying to manage too many courses at once.
I also plan to make what changes to the plan I need to to see myself succeed.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Pain Management Office Clinic Note 03-13-2026.pdf
Document: Amy Owen Medical.docx