Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To The Associate Dean of Science,

I am appealing to drop CHEM 112 (Fall 2015 and Winter 2016) from my transcript due to the extenuating circumstances I dealt with during the school year. The following letter will explain the circumstances and my plan to help with my academic goals for the future.

The extenuating circumstances that challenged me this academic year was the first time grieving my mother¿¿s death on January 25 away from home without my family. It affected me much harder than I had anticipated. Each day was harder as time went on and I felt the need to hide these feelings from my friends and family which in the end, resulted in heightened anxiety. My anxiety became increasingly worse, having panic attacks not only on my own, but also in tutorials and lectures. I decided to take action and seek out for advice through a counselor at school. My first time attempting to make an appointment I was told the counselor was away for holidays, therefore I went off campus to the Addiction & Mental Health Services on Princess Street. They contacted Queen¿¿s Counselling to make it apparent that I should be seen by a counsellor immediately that week. I was seen the second week of March by a counsellor in the La Salle building after having seen the first year counsellor in Victoria Hall the week before. There I was given a decision to choose what counsellor I would like to continue seeing. I choose the counsellor at La Salle, although I found myself being disappointed in the services I received. The following appointment I was told to come back next year before the holidays to prepare myself for my mother¿¿s anniversary and was dismissed by the counsellor with no more future appointments to be booked. This is when I reached out to my parents and they have been helping me with my mental health ever since.
I am currently enrolled in CHEM 113 (Spring 2016) and CHEM 114 (Spring 2016) to complete the 6 credits I am behind in. I have a tutor at home who is helping me with my studies and I have contacted the Student Academic Success Services to receive new tips as well as a new guide to study material from class and to make better notes. I plan on using the S.A.S.S. when I return back to campus in the fall to watch my progression and transition into my second year at Queen¿¿s University. As for my mental health, my family and I are in a process to find myself a counsellor at home for the months I am not on campus to help with my anxiety and to create a plan to deal with my grieving the appropriate way.

Sincerely,
Colleen Bumstead