Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2381
Submitted: June 14, 2016 at 2:20:48 AM
First Name: Adam
Last Name: Codesmith
Student Number: 10011695
Email: 0ac82@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: SOCY
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: June 13th, 2016
Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean (Studies)
Queen¿¿s University
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall
Dear Dr. Bénard,
My name is Adam Codesmith, and I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of one year. I am a part of the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society and am enrolled in a Bachelor¿¿s of Honours (Sociology) program, along with a minor in Classical Studies.
During my time at Queen¿¿s University, I have struggled greatly with mental illness. Up until the most recent school year of 2015-2016, I found that I could manage my courses and did not experience the feelings to the extent that I currently do. A number of my courses required me to attend tutorials and interact with my peers and professors. I slowly developed a strong level of social anxiety and felt unable to participate in these sessions. Daily activities that I found simple in the past became more difficult and frightening. Thoughts about the rest of my life, the assumed opinions I believed my family and friends had about me, and academic potential gave me high levels of fear, paranoia, and doubt. I felt ashamed by my thoughts and actions so I did not reach out to friends or family, and my anxiety and paranoia only grew stronger throughout the year. By the second term of school, my participation in my courses severely dropped. I felt overwhelmed by my courses and found solace in putting off and never accomplishing important assignment and meeting deadlines. I live in Toronto with my parents, and during reading week I visited my family doctor in an attempt to talk to someone. My doctor gave me a letter of recommendation to bring back to Queen¿¿s and give Student Health Services, in order to seek help in the interim before moving back to Toronto for the summer and continuing with my doctor. I arrived back to school and failed to go to Health Services, as my anxiety about talking to a new person only worsened. This greatly affected my grades and academic standing, and I did not complete several assignments and final examinations, and did not attend tutorials. I was scared to reach out to professors, and with each failure I developed more resentment of my actions. I realize now the grave depth of my errors, and have begun to find serious help through my doctor.
If this appeal were to be accepted, I believe I now have the abilities to find academic success at Queen¿¿s. I am in the process of meeting an expert on mental illness through my family doctor, and am finding myself to be more open about the anxieties I have about socialization, future success, and external pressures from family and society. I believe my mental illness can be managed and that in the months before September, I will continue to feel this way. I believe I can successfully meet with an academic advisor and overcome my social anxiety, through the help of a medical professional or personal counselor, who would continue to be a part of a system of support to me during my time in Kingston. I understand the weight of my actions during the past year, and do not wish for them to continue. With mental and academic support from these individuals and a viable academic plan, I strongly believe change is possible and I can complete a degree with Queen's University. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Yours sincerely,
Adam Codesmith
10011695
phone: 416 998 5277
email: 0ac82@queensu.ca
Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean (Studies)
Queen¿¿s University
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall
Dear Dr. Bénard,
My name is Adam Codesmith, and I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of one year. I am a part of the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society and am enrolled in a Bachelor¿¿s of Honours (Sociology) program, along with a minor in Classical Studies.
During my time at Queen¿¿s University, I have struggled greatly with mental illness. Up until the most recent school year of 2015-2016, I found that I could manage my courses and did not experience the feelings to the extent that I currently do. A number of my courses required me to attend tutorials and interact with my peers and professors. I slowly developed a strong level of social anxiety and felt unable to participate in these sessions. Daily activities that I found simple in the past became more difficult and frightening. Thoughts about the rest of my life, the assumed opinions I believed my family and friends had about me, and academic potential gave me high levels of fear, paranoia, and doubt. I felt ashamed by my thoughts and actions so I did not reach out to friends or family, and my anxiety and paranoia only grew stronger throughout the year. By the second term of school, my participation in my courses severely dropped. I felt overwhelmed by my courses and found solace in putting off and never accomplishing important assignment and meeting deadlines. I live in Toronto with my parents, and during reading week I visited my family doctor in an attempt to talk to someone. My doctor gave me a letter of recommendation to bring back to Queen¿¿s and give Student Health Services, in order to seek help in the interim before moving back to Toronto for the summer and continuing with my doctor. I arrived back to school and failed to go to Health Services, as my anxiety about talking to a new person only worsened. This greatly affected my grades and academic standing, and I did not complete several assignments and final examinations, and did not attend tutorials. I was scared to reach out to professors, and with each failure I developed more resentment of my actions. I realize now the grave depth of my errors, and have begun to find serious help through my doctor.
If this appeal were to be accepted, I believe I now have the abilities to find academic success at Queen¿¿s. I am in the process of meeting an expert on mental illness through my family doctor, and am finding myself to be more open about the anxieties I have about socialization, future success, and external pressures from family and society. I believe my mental illness can be managed and that in the months before September, I will continue to feel this way. I believe I can successfully meet with an academic advisor and overcome my social anxiety, through the help of a medical professional or personal counselor, who would continue to be a part of a system of support to me during my time in Kingston. I understand the weight of my actions during the past year, and do not wish for them to continue. With mental and academic support from these individuals and a viable academic plan, I strongly believe change is possible and I can complete a degree with Queen's University. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Yours sincerely,
Adam Codesmith
10011695
phone: 416 998 5277
email: 0ac82@queensu.ca
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I have seriously reconsidered my academic plan at Queen¿¿s, and have come to the conclusion that an Honours degree is not suited for me. My major academic goals would be to lighten my course load, seek help in the many resources available to a Queen's student, and follow through with aid for my mental health. I understand the mistakes I have made in the past and have a strict plan of rules and regulations that I believe will lead me to academic success.
If I were to return to Queen¿¿s in the fall, I would wish to drop my Classical Studies minor, and switch from a Bachelor of Honours in Sociology to a General Sociology degree. I feel as if I could successfully attain a General Studies degree, which would not require me to enroll in higher levelled courses. I believe without the involvement of 400 level courses, I would be able to succeed and raise my GPA. I would re-take the required course for Sociology degrees that I have not passed, and re-take courses I have failed in the past in order to benefit my GPA towards the requirement for a General Degree in Sociology. I would not plan on carrying more than a normal load of 5 courses per semester. I would seek help from my professors, teaching assistants, and an academic advisor, as I have not done so in the past. These individuals are incredibly integral to academic success and I plan on meeting them on a regular basis, in order to keep up with course material and not become overwhelmed. I would take advantage of the extra-curricular resources from the Writing Centre and improve on key aspects I have struggled with in the past, such as time management and procrastination. Along with mental health aid from Student Health Services, I believe I will be comfortable enough to reach out to these individuals. I would immediately reach out to Student Health Services upon my return, as I realize now how serious mental health is and its significant influence on daily life. I am extremely motivated to obtain a degree from Queen's, and still find interest in the field of Sociology. Unfortunately my level of focus plummeted over the past year, but I understand the issues that need to be addressed in order to accomplish my goals.
I would plan to meet regularly with a medical professional and/or personal counselor, if not through Queen¿¿s University services, through external professionals who reside in Kingston. I have also recently become closer to my family, and they have become a strong support system, which I felt was not possible in the past. Due to all these reasons, I believe I have the ability to find success at Queen¿¿s University in the next academic year. I wish to enroll in a program that has less requirements and plan on regularly meeting with an academic advisor that can help me stay focused on my set goals, and find further help by being more involved with my professors and teaching assistants, and the many resources available to students who seek learning assistance. I strongly believe this academic plan can give me the tools necessary to accomplish my goals at Queen's, and successfully obtain a higher GPA, along with a General Degree in Sociology.
If I were to return to Queen¿¿s in the fall, I would wish to drop my Classical Studies minor, and switch from a Bachelor of Honours in Sociology to a General Sociology degree. I feel as if I could successfully attain a General Studies degree, which would not require me to enroll in higher levelled courses. I believe without the involvement of 400 level courses, I would be able to succeed and raise my GPA. I would re-take the required course for Sociology degrees that I have not passed, and re-take courses I have failed in the past in order to benefit my GPA towards the requirement for a General Degree in Sociology. I would not plan on carrying more than a normal load of 5 courses per semester. I would seek help from my professors, teaching assistants, and an academic advisor, as I have not done so in the past. These individuals are incredibly integral to academic success and I plan on meeting them on a regular basis, in order to keep up with course material and not become overwhelmed. I would take advantage of the extra-curricular resources from the Writing Centre and improve on key aspects I have struggled with in the past, such as time management and procrastination. Along with mental health aid from Student Health Services, I believe I will be comfortable enough to reach out to these individuals. I would immediately reach out to Student Health Services upon my return, as I realize now how serious mental health is and its significant influence on daily life. I am extremely motivated to obtain a degree from Queen's, and still find interest in the field of Sociology. Unfortunately my level of focus plummeted over the past year, but I understand the issues that need to be addressed in order to accomplish my goals.
I would plan to meet regularly with a medical professional and/or personal counselor, if not through Queen¿¿s University services, through external professionals who reside in Kingston. I have also recently become closer to my family, and they have become a strong support system, which I felt was not possible in the past. Due to all these reasons, I believe I have the ability to find success at Queen¿¿s University in the next academic year. I wish to enroll in a program that has less requirements and plan on regularly meeting with an academic advisor that can help me stay focused on my set goals, and find further help by being more involved with my professors and teaching assistants, and the many resources available to students who seek learning assistance. I strongly believe this academic plan can give me the tools necessary to accomplish my goals at Queen's, and successfully obtain a higher GPA, along with a General Degree in Sociology.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Note from Doctor - Adam Codesmith-0.pdf
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted June 14, 2016 at 2:20:48 AM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Prepared for Review | Carrie Roosenmaalen | 2016-06-14 11:11:47 AM | |
| status | N/A | Prepared for Review | In Review | Spring Forsberg | 2016-06-16 2:38:55 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted with Conditions | Haley Everson | 2016-06-27 10:08:23 AM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Johanne Benard, Ph.D. | Haley Everson | 2016-06-27 10:08:23 AM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Haley Everson | 2016-06-27 10:08:51 AM |