Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate of Dean (Studies),

I am submitting an appeal requesting to waive the 21-day appeal deadline in order to drop MATH 121 (2015 Fall), GEOL200 (2015 Fall), GEOL232 (2015 Fall), CWRI295 (2016 Winter), GPHY304 (2016 Winter), and PHIL203 (2016 Winter).

The extenuating circumstance beyond my control was my depression. First semester, due to family and social influences, my mental health had begun to deteriorate, which left me feeling hopeless and unstable. I was unable to handle stress and was often consumed by thoughts of self harm. To avoid the situation, I spent most of my time sleeping; when I was awake I did everything in my power to distract myself. I was constantly watching tv or speaking to someone on the phone in an attempt to control the urge to self harm. When I tried to focus on school work my mind would begin to spiral out of control. I was no longer the same person who attended this university just one year prior to my depression. I lost my ambition and confidence; I no longer saw the point in participating in school or in my social life. I missed the majority of my classes which caused me to fall behind in my classes and fail. In the beginning of second semester I was beginning to recover. I got back some of my motivation and began to make friends in my program. They supported me as I tried to get back to my regular lifestyle. I am still not fully healed, but I am finding my way to a better place. First semester was such a low time for me that it hurts to even think about. When I think of how I struggled and how I had given up on everything and everyone I feel a lot of shame. Due to this embarrassment and shame, I put off writing an academic appeal because I would have to think of the low place I was in and I was afraid I would be pushed back into that struggle once again. I needed to wait until I could handle it emotionally and mentally. I take responsibility for my current academic standing, but I am asking for a second chance.

My proposed Degree Plan is Environmental Geology. In order to make up for my extenuating circumstance from last year that caused me to fail a number of required courses, I plan on taking GEOL200 (Oceanography), GEOL232 (Mineraology), GEOL221 (Field Methods), PHYS117 (Introduction to Physics), and GEOL249 (Geophysics).

The problems that stood in the way of my academic success in the past are the social factors that caused me to sink into depression. I got involved with the wrong people and, when they left, I ended up feeling really bad about myself. This caused me a lot of anxiety, and eventually my mental health became really bad. I started not to care about anyone and anything and began to isolate myself from society. I plan to avoid this kind of situation again by keeping my social and academic life separated. I also plan on seeing a counselor on a regular basis provided by Queen¿¿s Counselling Services. I have already checked in twice with them throughout the summer. I also have started on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication this summer, which I will continue taking throughout the year.

Thank you for hearing my appeal.
Sincerely,

Kassandra Brioux