Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I understand that I have not met the requirements needed of me to continue my studies at Queen's uninterrupted. However, I would like to appeal this decision to withdraw me from my studies for one full year. A combination of stress and pressure proved to be extremely difficult this past year for multiple reasons, including the documentation in my file, as well as the struggles that occurred in the 2014/15 academic year.

In the previous year, there was a tremendous amount of pressure put on myself to complete the courses not completed in my second year (2014/15 terms). What could only be defined as a failure in courses taken in my second year, I attempted to complete these courses all at once, as I did the first time. Rather than pacing myself through these difficult courses, the decision to attempt to rein-act semesters that resulted in a negative conclusion proved poisonous to my academic output. I believe my potential was not near reached in this scenario, and as disappointed as I am about this, I believe now that I know what is necessary to accomplish my revised goal of obtaining a BA in Economics.

Developing the illnesses that are anxiety and depression took its toll swiftly and effortlessly. Even though I improved my anxiety in strides since the downfall that was my second year, I went about my academics in the wrong way. I attacked the same schedule, which proved gruelling, rather than balancing the heavier courses with courses that are better suited to my unique abilities, making achieving higher grades easier. By doing this, I inadvertently facilitated my depression. The depression consumed my abilities and held them hostage. I was immobilized by emotions that rendered me helpless. Depression acted almost as a dense fog, where you cant see 3 steps ahead of you. It was so easy to give in and get lost and to sit in the darkness alone, waiting for it all to be over. With each and every set back in the form of a negative grade returned to me, it crippled my focus and energy, lowering my overall daily motivation, chaining me down in the dense fog. The necessary steps to recovery have been taken, and I believe that continuing at Queen's fits into this plan.

Queen's is my home. The relationships forged and the lessons learned are priceless; and there are much more ahead. Queen's is also a sanctuary in more ways than one. When an ongoing family struggle has left my alternate home and family members stressed, leaving happiness scarce, Queen's was a getaway; the beacon of hope that I could still do something meaningful and impressive. This desire hasn't died, not yet. Using an improved strategy, this will be my last attempt at putting myself on the proper track. Setbacks aside, I know this is within my reach. Regardless of my inability to reach the requirements set, I also did achieve the highest grades I ever have in this semester, including notably my B+ in COMM 381, where I nearly achieved a goal of getting a mark beginning with A. I have learned the types of courses that I need to be taking to contrast the harshness of the more difficult ones.

The mad dash over the hurdles of life is forever ongoing, and nobody will be able to predict what the future will throw at us, but instead, all we can control is how we handle them. Preceding events leading up to now haven't been handled well, I admit defeat in this arena. However, that doesn't mean that I won't be able to handle future hurdles better and more efficiently. I ask for one last chance. I ask to prove to Queen's that I am worthy of bearing its name. I ask to abolish my incredulity in my abilities. I ask for one more year, to have a greater possibility of being great through Queen's.

Thank you for your careful consideration, I look forward to hearing from you.

Garrett Giannidis
BA, Economics
Queen's University
10108655
13gg3@queensu.ca