Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

My name is Darci Brill, and I am a second year student here at Queen's currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Global Development Studies. This appeal is in regard to my desire to pick up ENGL 100 for the 2016/2017 academic year.

Last year coming to Queen's, I was dealing with a variety of physical health problems and subsequent mental health problems; the year prior I had just received Spinal Fusion Surgery on my L4-S1 vertebra, and before that I had lived with immense nerve and muscular pain as a result of that spinal condition I was being treated for (called Spondylolisthesis) for around 5-6 years. Dealing with this physical limitation was the most challenging roadblock I had to deal with, forcing me to confront questions of self and identity. Despite finally receiving the surgical intervention the year before coming to Queen's (and thankfully removing most of the physical symptoms) I found that I still had an emotional scar.

I registerred with Accessibility Services for my anxiety and my depression right at the beginning of last year. I was extremely indecisive about what I wanted to pursue in my university career, I was emotionally drained 24-7, and I had to go on medications to deal with the physical symptoms of my mental health (including nausea, and fatigue). I was contemplating leaving school, but decided to drop my course load and do my best to continue with the courses I was in and stay in school. As a result of this, I was not able to take ENGL 100. However,I worked hard, tried to persevere, and as a result i got a 3.96 GPA in the courses that I did keep.

This year I am in a better place. I am ready to explore, and believe that English will be a course of study I will fervently enjoy and want to minor in. I don't want my physical and emotional setbacks, though, to force an extension of my four years of study; I would like to take ENGL 100 this year so I can finish the prerequisite credits in time. The indecision of last year struck me again during course selection this year, and simply put, I was too scared to select the course in time, due to my anxiety and negative thoughts. I thought I should stick with my Psych major and Devs minor, and hope I enjoy it more.

However, though I was a bit late in the game, I made the decision that I owe it to myself to study things I enjoy, and that I have the stamina necessary to do so successfully.

I hope I obtain permission to take ENGL 100. I thank you for your consideration.

Best,
Darci Brill
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