Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 1520
Submitted: October 21, 2015 at 10:49:42 PM
First Name: Olivia
Last Name: Paty
Student Number: 10066647
Email: 12okp@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BScH
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Add a course after the academic deadline
Code: FILM 110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Add a course after the academic deadline
Instructor's Name: Susan Lord
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard,
I am appealing due to personal circumstances to withdraw from BCHEM 310 and enroll in FILM 110.
I was recently (March 2015) diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder dealing with intrusive thoughts and obsessional thinking. At the time of diagnosis I was on my exchange abroad in Scotland but it did not affect my schooling too much because I was almost finished and only had exams left to write. When I returned, I was seeking professional treatment over the summer and made some very good progress. In lieu of this progress I did not think I would have any trouble re-adjusting back to Canada and Queen's for my fourth year. However, the move back to Kingston, being in my final year and having a very heavy science based course load really took a toll on my mental health. I could not keep up with the speed of the material being taught in Biochemistry which caused me to have severe panic attacks leading to missed classes and lack of focus. In turn I began to get increasingly overwhelmed and entered into a mild depressive phase preventing me from keeping up with my other courses as well. I am currently seeking professional help here in Kingston but the process takes quite some time. Therefore, in order to lighten my load and elevate the pressure I would like to enroll in FILM to replace BCHM.
I am appealing due to personal circumstances to withdraw from BCHEM 310 and enroll in FILM 110.
I was recently (March 2015) diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder dealing with intrusive thoughts and obsessional thinking. At the time of diagnosis I was on my exchange abroad in Scotland but it did not affect my schooling too much because I was almost finished and only had exams left to write. When I returned, I was seeking professional treatment over the summer and made some very good progress. In lieu of this progress I did not think I would have any trouble re-adjusting back to Canada and Queen's for my fourth year. However, the move back to Kingston, being in my final year and having a very heavy science based course load really took a toll on my mental health. I could not keep up with the speed of the material being taught in Biochemistry which caused me to have severe panic attacks leading to missed classes and lack of focus. In turn I began to get increasingly overwhelmed and entered into a mild depressive phase preventing me from keeping up with my other courses as well. I am currently seeking professional help here in Kingston but the process takes quite some time. Therefore, in order to lighten my load and elevate the pressure I would like to enroll in FILM to replace BCHM.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I have spoken with an academic counselor to discuss my options and I believe we have come up with a very solid plan of action. Finishing fourth year with a Bachelor of Science Honours is extremely important to me. I was enrolled in Life Science Specialization before which lead to the heavy science based schedule. However, by dropping the specialization and just becoming a Life Science major I am only one 3.0 science credit away from filling the requirements (which ANAT 416 will provide) and the rest of my credits to fill the year can be electives. Therefore, dropping BCHM 310 does not effect my ability to graduate with a Life Science major degree, and I can take more elective next term in order to prevent further stress and anxiety. Also, as previously mentioned I am in the swing of getting professional help here in Kingston and have my first of weekly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy appointments later in the month and have spoken with a physiatrist to begin some medication. Things are looking up, and this change could really be beneficial to my academics and my health.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Patyletter.pdf
Document: Re_ Class Inquiry - Olivia Paty.pdf