Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Arts and Science,

My name is Allison Jacobi-Dorbeck and I am currently a third year student in the Faculty of Arts and Science. I am a Psychology (BscH) major, with a minor degree in Life Sciences. At this current time, I am appealing to request credit (CR) standing in two of the courses from the Fall 2015 semester. The two courses that I request to do so are BIOL350 (Evolution and Human Affairs), and ANAT312 (Functional Neuroanatomy) as I have only achieved a grade of a D+ and C+. Throughout the course of the semester, I had worked extremely hard in order to maintain high grades, but was truly taken aback by my grades on the final exams, which affected my course grade immensely and ultimately reflects negatively on my cumulative GPA.
Being in my third year at Queen's University, I have experienced many positive learning opportunities, as well as some not-so-favourable obstacles in my time here thus far. During my second year in particular I was faced with the struggles that mental illness can impose, and have since gone great lengths to continuously improve upon myself as both a student and a member of the community. In my first semester of third year, I was optimistic about reintegrating into the Queen's community after an overwhelming life experience in second year. I was determined to maintain a positive attitude about all that this fresh start had to offer. In light of this, I was prepared to devote my most honest efforts toward continuing my journey of mental illness recovery while at the same time not allowing my condition to further impede on my life as a student. With an optimistic attitude, I had the confidence to seek guidance in areas of shortcomings, as well as delegate my time wisely among the coursework that I had. In addition to this, I found the time to become an active member of the Queen's community by getting involved with volunteer initiatives on campus. I have had the most wonderful opportunity to work in a lab within my field of studies, which only propels me in the career direction that I strive to be. Throughout the semester, I was pleased to see a progressive improvement in my academics as well as my social involvement, and I was proud to know that my mental health was no longer a barrier in achieving success in many areas.
Despite an overall positive experience throughout my first semester back at Queen's, during one time period I recall experiencing an extreme amount of stress and anxiety. The December 2015 exam period was a time in which I was under a tremendous amount of stress, and experienced anxiety at levels that I had been familiar with from the year before. Situational anxiety has always been one of the mental health conditions that impedes on my daily life, and the period of final exam has always been one situation in particular that has been associated with heightened anxiety. I attribute the amount of anxiety at this particular time in December 2015 to it being the first time that I was placed in an exam setting since returning from undergoing psychological treatment. During the exam period, I had six final exams (ANAT312 had two finals- one theoretical exam during the regular exam period, and a lab practical at the beginning of the exam period). The dates of my exams were as follows: December 8th (lab practical for ANAT312), 10th, 14th (BIOL350), 17th, 18th, 19th (ANAT312). I believe that I overestimated my ability to cope with the challenge of having six exams, and as a result experienced a great amount of anxiety.
After receiving my grades in these two courses, I was incredibly discouraged, feeling as if my hard work and effort throughout the entire semester had gone to waste. My grade on the ANAT312 final exam was 55. Although this was disappointing, I knew that I experienced high anxiety going into the exam since it was the last of six after having an exam 7:00-10:00pm the night before. ANAT312 was by far one of my most favourite courses at Queen's thus far; I had been a very active learner throughout the course, constantly asking questions and eager to gain more of an understanding of neuroanatomy. As a result, I had developed a strong professor-student relationship with Dr. Leslie MacKenzie, and look forward to working with him as an undergraduate Teaching Assistant in the upcoming year. My poor performance and failing grade on the BIOL350 exam, was also completely attributable to the amount of anxiety that I was feeling at the time. I believe that I had bit off more than I could chew and was in denial of this feeling that I had not experienced since my previous year, thinking that I could handle myself given my progress up to that point. It wasn't until after writing my exams that I was disappointed in myself for not recognizing my limits. In retrospect, I wish that I had reached out to my counselor, Julia Lippert, for support during my first exam period since treatment instead of believing that I could do it on my own.
Since then, I have worked extremely hard to redeem myself in my second semester, and was sure to indulge in more self-care in the April exam period. I have since been able to recognize my limits, and acknowledge my anxiety as opposed to pushing it aside and overestimating my ability to cope. I know within myself that I have made great progress in terms of my academic successes, and I have put forth an appreciable effort toward each and every one of my courses. As a student that aspires to pursue Graduate Studies upon completion of my undergraduate degree, these two less-than-average grades have placed a lingering stressor upon me as I approach my final academic year. I remain contact with my counselor in Collingwood and I plan to maintain such in anticipation of stress during my final undergraduate year at Queen's. In the meantime, as a keen and dedicated student I aim to continue to excel in my studies in pursuance of my future career goals. Furthermore, I aim to achieve grades that reflect my utmost effort and capabilities. I also intend to remain an active member of and contribute to the Queen's community in a positive and proactive manner. I am dedicated to being the best that I can be, and I embrace the future with a positive outlook on opportunities that lie ahead.
Thank you so much once again, for your time and consideration.