Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 183
Submitted: June 15, 2014 at 11:46:36 AM
First Name: Holly
Last Name: Watts
Student Number: 10065415
Email: 12bhw2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: None
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw for one year.
The past two years have been a struggle for me, affecting my academic performance. Coming from Vancouver, and moving away from home was a huge change for me. I have lost a number of family members over the the past four years, the most prominent being my father in 2011. I realize this was before attending Queen's, but as I thought I could cope with the after-effects, I did not seek treatment. My lack of therapy regarding the matter has led to a mental struggle with motivation, exhaustion, eating habits, and mood. My extenuating circumstances are that I have been suffering from depression, for which I initially had been in treatment but unfortunately decided to discontinue treatment, which in hindsight I realize, prematurely. I have been experiencing depression in waves; there are times when I felt elated and very motivated to do well academically; unfortunately, then a sudden onset would leave me feeling unmotivated to attend classes, study, or even leave the house for a period of days to months. I have felt my decreased ability to think or concentrate has only increased over the past year following being placed on academic probation. I do not wish to leave Queen's, and I truly feel that I am ready and able to continue my education with the help of on-going therapy and a sound academic plan.
The past two years have been a struggle for me, affecting my academic performance. Coming from Vancouver, and moving away from home was a huge change for me. I have lost a number of family members over the the past four years, the most prominent being my father in 2011. I realize this was before attending Queen's, but as I thought I could cope with the after-effects, I did not seek treatment. My lack of therapy regarding the matter has led to a mental struggle with motivation, exhaustion, eating habits, and mood. My extenuating circumstances are that I have been suffering from depression, for which I initially had been in treatment but unfortunately decided to discontinue treatment, which in hindsight I realize, prematurely. I have been experiencing depression in waves; there are times when I felt elated and very motivated to do well academically; unfortunately, then a sudden onset would leave me feeling unmotivated to attend classes, study, or even leave the house for a period of days to months. I have felt my decreased ability to think or concentrate has only increased over the past year following being placed on academic probation. I do not wish to leave Queen's, and I truly feel that I am ready and able to continue my education with the help of on-going therapy and a sound academic plan.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I greatly want to avoid the struggles I have previously faced with academics. I plan to retake failed courses from the past two years, to bring up my GPA. I will also direct my field of study towards Environmental Studies which is a subject that I am very passionate about. I feel my interest towards the subject will provide motivation for attending classes and with the readings and assignments. I would have to take three 200 level courses (3.0) in the upcoming year, leaving me plenty of time to retake any previously failed courses. I plan to join either a study group within my faculty or work closely with a friend also in my classes. Over the past two years, although I have not succeeded academically, I have learned a lot about how to manage my time and study effectively. I truly feel I am on the cusp of becoming an academically successful and well-rounded student. I am currently enrolled in a summer course in which I am practicing all of these skills, and so far have been successful. I have been researching the Learning Strategies advisors whom I plan to visit not just once, but regularly throughout the academic year. I propose to visit a regular therapist to aid me with motivation and manage my depression. I am seeing a professional psychologist currently and have already felt an improvement in my wellbeing. I do not want this mental struggle to consume my life, but feel it is a manageable illness with the appropriate support systems in place. I feel the Faculty¿¿s decision has been a major reality check pushing me to figure out my values in life. I know I am lucky to be attending Queen¿¿s and very much wish to continue my education here.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Off Campus Physician's Note
Documentation Detail: Obituary/Death Certificate