Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14578
Submitted: July 24, 2026 at 4:48:22 PM
First Name: MAHIMA
Last Name: PASNUR
Pronoun: she/her
Preferred Name: MAHIMA
Student Number: 20484180
Email: 23vnb9@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Code: BCHM 218
Term: Winter
Year: 2026
Petition Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor's Name: Dr. Laura van Staalduinen
Component: Final Exam
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to petition for a further deferral of my final examination in BCHM 218, which was originally rescheduled to May 13, 2026 following an earlier approved deferral. I was unable to write the exam on that date due to a medical emergency beyond my control. I have since spoken with my instructor, Dr. Laura van Staalduinen, who is willing to arrange a new deferred exam date for me once this petition has been approved by the Associate Dean. As I understand that any additional deferral following an initial one requires this approval, I am submitting this petition to request it.
I recognize that this petition is being submitted some time after the missed exam date. I could not submit it beforehand, as I was receiving emergency medical treatment at the time the exam itself was taking place. In the weeks that followed, I needed to see my family doctor in person to review and confirm updated guidance around combining caffeine with my medication before I could finalize this petition. Since moving away from home for university, I no longer live close to my family doctor, and the cost of travel meant I had to save before I could make the trip home, which delayed my ability to complete this follow-up and submit this petition sooner.
My family doctor has approved my taking up to 250 mg of caffeine alongside my prescribed Vyvanse (40 mg), provided I eat a high-protein, high-fat meal before or after. On the morning of May 13, 2026, I followed this guidance exactly: I ate a high-protein, high-fat meal approximately 45 minutes before consuming caffeine. Despite following my doctor's instructions, I began experiencing a racing heart, light-headedness, sweating, a deep crushing/pressure sensation in my chest, and shortness of breath. I tried calming techniques for about 30 minutes, but my symptoms continued to worsen rather than improve. As a result, I went to the emergency room for assessment and treatment. Because I was following my doctor's established guidance, which had not caused this reaction previously, I had no reason to anticipate this event or to make alternate arrangements for the exam in advance.
I have attached documentation from the hospital confirming the date of my visit and the nature of the emergency treatment I received.
Since this incident, I have followed up with my family doctor, who has revised my guidance: I am now limiting caffeine to 150 mg and spacing it out over the course of an hour, rather than consuming it all at once, to prevent a recurrence. I have not had any further issues combining caffeine with my medication since making this adjustment. I am in good health, fully prepared academically, and confident I will be ready to write the exam as soon as a new date is arranged.
I would greatly appreciate the Faculty's consideration of this petition, and I am happy to provide any further information or documentation that may be needed.
Sincerely,
Mahima Pasnur
Student #: 20474180
I am writing to petition for a further deferral of my final examination in BCHM 218, which was originally rescheduled to May 13, 2026 following an earlier approved deferral. I was unable to write the exam on that date due to a medical emergency beyond my control. I have since spoken with my instructor, Dr. Laura van Staalduinen, who is willing to arrange a new deferred exam date for me once this petition has been approved by the Associate Dean. As I understand that any additional deferral following an initial one requires this approval, I am submitting this petition to request it.
I recognize that this petition is being submitted some time after the missed exam date. I could not submit it beforehand, as I was receiving emergency medical treatment at the time the exam itself was taking place. In the weeks that followed, I needed to see my family doctor in person to review and confirm updated guidance around combining caffeine with my medication before I could finalize this petition. Since moving away from home for university, I no longer live close to my family doctor, and the cost of travel meant I had to save before I could make the trip home, which delayed my ability to complete this follow-up and submit this petition sooner.
My family doctor has approved my taking up to 250 mg of caffeine alongside my prescribed Vyvanse (40 mg), provided I eat a high-protein, high-fat meal before or after. On the morning of May 13, 2026, I followed this guidance exactly: I ate a high-protein, high-fat meal approximately 45 minutes before consuming caffeine. Despite following my doctor's instructions, I began experiencing a racing heart, light-headedness, sweating, a deep crushing/pressure sensation in my chest, and shortness of breath. I tried calming techniques for about 30 minutes, but my symptoms continued to worsen rather than improve. As a result, I went to the emergency room for assessment and treatment. Because I was following my doctor's established guidance, which had not caused this reaction previously, I had no reason to anticipate this event or to make alternate arrangements for the exam in advance.
I have attached documentation from the hospital confirming the date of my visit and the nature of the emergency treatment I received.
Since this incident, I have followed up with my family doctor, who has revised my guidance: I am now limiting caffeine to 150 mg and spacing it out over the course of an hour, rather than consuming it all at once, to prevent a recurrence. I have not had any further issues combining caffeine with my medication since making this adjustment. I am in good health, fully prepared academically, and confident I will be ready to write the exam as soon as a new date is arranged.
I would greatly appreciate the Faculty's consideration of this petition, and I am happy to provide any further information or documentation that may be needed.
Sincerely,
Mahima Pasnur
Student #: 20474180
Documentation
Professional Letter: BCHM218_Document.pdf