Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing to drop SOCY 210 (Fall 2015), and I am appealing for credit standings in SOCY 275 (Fall 2015), ENSC 290 (Fall 2015), GEOL 106 (Winter 2014), HIST 125 (Winter 2014) and SPAN 204 (Fall 2014).
I was a late reader and always knew I had a reading issue. My parents, who were aware and always helpful, never got professional help for me because I always managed to do well in school up until recently. Over the last two years my reading issue remerged due the volume of reading and writing that goes along with university work. However, as in high school, I thought I could manage the issue again. Nonetheless, last fall term (2015) a series of illnesses caused me to fall behind and, while trying to catch up on all my readings, my reading issue intensified. In classes that called for high levels of readings and comprehension as well as heavy memorization, I found myself struggling and unable to stay on top of all my work. For courses such as history, geology, and Spanish it was hard for me to read all the material and remember it properly. I was overwhelmed with the information I was expected to know. In the past, I would just try to power through the tough courses because I never wanted to admit that I needed extra help. At the end of last term I came to the conclusion I needed to seek help. In November, I met with a counsellor, and she referred me to the University¿¿s Accessibility Services, who directed me to the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) where I am currently in the process of being tested.
I am told the expected diagnosis is dyslexia, and I will need to work with RARC further to understand my condition and then put a plan into place to deal with it. What is clear is I will need to work longer hours than my peers and use better studying techniques. I have the basics of a plan to help me study better, using more structured reading and note taking, allotting more time, and planning out a schedule to get my work done on time without getting consumed my work. In addition, I am changing my major from Environmental Studies and Sociology to Environmental Studies and Global Development¿¿a medial program that I originally wanted to take as a first-year. I also will attempt to rearrange my studies to take courses where some of the learning and grading is experiential and project- or seminar-based, since I tend to do well in these. I hope that from the results of my testing, I will have a better understanding of how best to study and achieve my academic goals.
Thank you very much for your consideration and I hope that you accept my appeal. Please let me know if you need additional information.