Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Associate Dean (Academic)
From: Havishnaya Parameswaran
Student ID: 20474910
Subject: Petition to Waive Requirement to Withdraw

Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am respectfully petitioning to waive the Faculty's decision requiring my withdrawal from Queen's University for the 2026-2027 academic year. I acknowledge that my academic performance over the past year did not meet university standards. Last year, I was extremely grateful to have my previous petition granted and to be given another opportunity to continue my education. I took that opportunity seriously and committed myself to improving both academically and personally. Since returning, I have made meaningful changes to my study habits, organization, and overall well-being while continuing to work through ongoing mental health and personal challenges.

This past academic year shows significant improvement compared to the previous one. I successfully passed the majority of my courses, including a couple of courses that I had previously struggled with, BIOL 102, CHEM 112, and PHAR 100, and showed that I am capable of succeeding when provided the opportunity and proper support. While I know I still have room to grow academically, I am proud of the progress I have made and remain committed to continuing that upward trajectory.

Throughout the year, I made it a priority to stay informed about my academic standing by meeting regularly with academic advisors and asking questions whenever I was unsure or needed advising. After having my previous Requirement to Withdraw waived, I wanted to do everything possible to avoid being in the same position again. During the Winter 2026 term, I became concerned that one of my courses might negatively affect my GPA and sought advice before making any decisions. Based on my previous return letter and the guidance I received, I understood that I would only be reassessed after completing 18 units. I had concerns about how my RELS 131 outcome would affect my GPA, so I reached out to an advisor. I was told that withdrawing from RELS 131 would reduce my completed units below that threshold and that I would therefore not be reassessed until May 2027. Before making that decision, I took time to think it through and also got confirmation from a second academic advisor, who provided me with the same guidance. Relying on that guidance, I withdrew from the course because I genuinely believed it was the best decision for my academic standing, GPA and my long-term academic success.

After receiving another Requirement to Withdraw letter, I immediately met with an academic advisor to understand what had happened. During that meeting, I was informed that my Summer 2025 courses had not been considered in the advice I had previously received from both advisors and that they should have been included in the assessment calculation. Hearing this was heartbreaking. I had gone out of my way to seek guidance, double-check my decisions, and make responsible choices about my education because I genuinely wanted to avoid being in this position again. If I had been informed that I would be assessed this year regardless, or that my Summer 2025 courses would count toward that assessment, I would have made different academic decisions. Instead, after taking every precaution and relying on the guidance I was given, I learned that the information had been incorrect and that the only resolution was an apology acknowledging the mistake. I appreciate that the advisor acknowledged the mistake. Still, it was deeply disappointing to learn that the academic decisions I made after carefully seeking and confirming their guidance had such significant consequences. I worked so hard to make responsible choices, taking my education seriously at every step, only to discover that those decisions ultimately contributed to my receiving another Requirement to Withdraw letter.

Although I still experience periods of anxiety and continue to deal with difficult family circumstances, I have learned healthier ways to manage and cope with these obstacles without allowing them to overwhelm my academics. I have worked to improve my eating habits, reached out for medical care when needed, improved the environment around me, and have continued searching for a therapist who is the right fit for me. I have also developed a structured planning system that tracks all assignments, deadlines, and important dates, reducing my stress and responsibilities and allowing me to stay organized and submit work on time.

Being required to withdraw again would be heartbreaking. Queen's has given me purpose, structure, and motivation during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Returning to school after my first petition allowed me to rebuild my confidence and believe that I could succeed. I truly want to remain here, continue learning, and continue proving that I deserve the opportunity I was given. Most importantly, I proved to myself that I am capable of making progress despite the challenges I continue to face. I have improved my study habits, created systems to stay organized, reached out to advisors whenever I needed guidance, taken steps to improve my mental health and eating habits, and continued searching for an appropriate therapist.

My doctor has provided a supporting letter stating that continued participation in my academic program would be beneficial for my well-being and educational development. My doctor believes that maintaining my studies and academic routine would better support my continued progress than requiring a mandatory interruption.

I am currently enrolled in a full summer course load. While maintaining my OSAP eligibility influenced this decision, I also accepted that responsibility because I remain fully committed to continuing my education and proving that I can succeed academically. My goal has never been to avoid difficult work but rather to continue building on the improvements I have already made.

While my academic journey hasn't been perfect, I hope the Faculty recognizes the progress I have made and the determination I have shown to improve. I am committed to continuing to work as hard as I possibly can, to seek help whenever I need it, and to make the most of the opportunity to continue my education at Queen's University.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely,
Havishnaya Parameswaran