Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2338
Submitted: June 10, 2016 at 12:19:40 AM
First Name: Remi
Last Name: Oguni
Student Number: 10050883
Email: 11ro3@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: Econ
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Queen's University
Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean
Dear Ms. Bénard,
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's University for a minimum of three years.
In the recent months, I had my first experience with depression. In March, a personal relationship of mine came to an end, triggering this episode. With this, I lost all sense of motivation, hope, and belief in myself. My emotional symptoms manifest physically, leading to extreme sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and concerning lack of appetite. I was unable to rest, equally incapable of getting out of bed, and hoping each next day would not come. I felt apathetic, and at times, struggled to concentrate long enough to hold a conversation. During this time, I was living with several other males in a home near central campus, and allowed myself to be distracted by them to avoid coping. These symptoms peaked around the end of March, as classes were winding down and exams began. By my first exam, a Pharmacology exam on April 7th, my depressive symptoms were in full force. I deeply regret not being more vocal at this time, as I knew that I was not in suitable condition to perform academically.
Beginning in March and continuing into May, I have been struggling with my depression. Being my first encounter with mental illness, I was absolutely not prepared to cope with this. I felt unable to speak about my experience or ask for help, and thus, spiraled into a very unwell state. Since then, I have seen my family doctor, who confirmed that my expected diagnosis of depression (as attached in the application). Additionally, I have reached out to a friend and a family member about my experiences, and found some much-needed support. I do agree that my academic performance in recent months is unacceptable, and that my personal life should not impact my studies as it had. However, I believe that these recent months have taught me a lot about overcoming situations like this. I believe that I am now capable utilizing the resources, both internal and external, that I need to be better and do better.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
Sincerely,
Remi Oguni
10050883
Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean
Dear Ms. Bénard,
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's University for a minimum of three years.
In the recent months, I had my first experience with depression. In March, a personal relationship of mine came to an end, triggering this episode. With this, I lost all sense of motivation, hope, and belief in myself. My emotional symptoms manifest physically, leading to extreme sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and concerning lack of appetite. I was unable to rest, equally incapable of getting out of bed, and hoping each next day would not come. I felt apathetic, and at times, struggled to concentrate long enough to hold a conversation. During this time, I was living with several other males in a home near central campus, and allowed myself to be distracted by them to avoid coping. These symptoms peaked around the end of March, as classes were winding down and exams began. By my first exam, a Pharmacology exam on April 7th, my depressive symptoms were in full force. I deeply regret not being more vocal at this time, as I knew that I was not in suitable condition to perform academically.
Beginning in March and continuing into May, I have been struggling with my depression. Being my first encounter with mental illness, I was absolutely not prepared to cope with this. I felt unable to speak about my experience or ask for help, and thus, spiraled into a very unwell state. Since then, I have seen my family doctor, who confirmed that my expected diagnosis of depression (as attached in the application). Additionally, I have reached out to a friend and a family member about my experiences, and found some much-needed support. I do agree that my academic performance in recent months is unacceptable, and that my personal life should not impact my studies as it had. However, I believe that these recent months have taught me a lot about overcoming situations like this. I believe that I am now capable utilizing the resources, both internal and external, that I need to be better and do better.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
Sincerely,
Remi Oguni
10050883
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Queen's University
Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean
Dear Ms. Bénard,
It is of my greatest concern to focus on managing my personal life and my academic commitments in this coming year. I am choosing to take smaller course loads in each semester. For this Summer semester, I am enrolled in 2 online courses (Music 171 and Commerce 200), and have already dedicated much of my time this summer to studying for them. In the Fall term, I will take 3 courses, leaving the final 4 courses of my degree for the Winter. As I have already completed all required courses for my Economics degree, I am most attentive to taking courses that I am passionate about and putting in substantial work to raise my GPA. Since year 1, I have been a part of Queen's Rugby Club, and the support from my teammates and physical activity it brings me has made a positive impact on my mental wellbeing. Because of this, I am choosing to make the Rugby Club my only social commitment in the coming year. Additionally, I will be moving away from central campus, into a smaller apartment with fewer roommates.
Though this has been an incredibly challenging experience for me, I am capable of ensuring this situation will be very different this coming year. I now know the resources on campus, the friends, and the counsellors, whom I will contact for help. During this time, I plan to utilize the Student Wellness Centre on a monthly basis. I will be in attendance at every class in every course, and participate in study groups whenever possible. I have made my future roommates aware of this plan, and they will be supporting me and ensuring that this commitment I had made is held. Additionally, I would be very happy to report back to my faculty throughout the semester of my improvements. This has been a very scary wake up call for me, in more than one area of my life. I hope I can have the opportunity to prove to you that this past semester does not reflect my abilities as a student, as I feel it has not reflected who I am in any way.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my academic plan. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
Sincerely,
Remi Oguni
10050883
Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean
Dear Ms. Bénard,
It is of my greatest concern to focus on managing my personal life and my academic commitments in this coming year. I am choosing to take smaller course loads in each semester. For this Summer semester, I am enrolled in 2 online courses (Music 171 and Commerce 200), and have already dedicated much of my time this summer to studying for them. In the Fall term, I will take 3 courses, leaving the final 4 courses of my degree for the Winter. As I have already completed all required courses for my Economics degree, I am most attentive to taking courses that I am passionate about and putting in substantial work to raise my GPA. Since year 1, I have been a part of Queen's Rugby Club, and the support from my teammates and physical activity it brings me has made a positive impact on my mental wellbeing. Because of this, I am choosing to make the Rugby Club my only social commitment in the coming year. Additionally, I will be moving away from central campus, into a smaller apartment with fewer roommates.
Though this has been an incredibly challenging experience for me, I am capable of ensuring this situation will be very different this coming year. I now know the resources on campus, the friends, and the counsellors, whom I will contact for help. During this time, I plan to utilize the Student Wellness Centre on a monthly basis. I will be in attendance at every class in every course, and participate in study groups whenever possible. I have made my future roommates aware of this plan, and they will be supporting me and ensuring that this commitment I had made is held. Additionally, I would be very happy to report back to my faculty throughout the semester of my improvements. This has been a very scary wake up call for me, in more than one area of my life. I hope I can have the opportunity to prove to you that this past semester does not reflect my abilities as a student, as I feel it has not reflected who I am in any way.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my academic plan. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
Sincerely,
Remi Oguni
10050883
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Doctor's Note
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 2338
Relevant Petition: 2338
Student Number: 10050883