Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Benard,

My name is Safwan Dadabhoy, and my student number is 10063177. I am majoring in History, and I am currently in my fifth year. I am writing to you in hope that you will waive the 21 day deadline for appealing a grade. The favor I am requesting from you is not without reason, for I believe I have experienced extenuating circumstances during the time-frame of the classes I am appealing, and during the 21 days after the final grades were posted.

I am at a loss for where to begin. My whole university experience since my first year has been a challenge and learning experience. During my first year, I did not take classes I would have actually enjoyed because they involved a tutorial component. At this time, I had not been diagnosed with social anxiety, but my fears and insecurities were symptoms of exactly that. I just did not know it. Social anxiety, further coupled with asthma that I was diagnosed with as a child, made my first two years of university a nightmarish experience. I did not know what I was going to major in. Instead of having a definite path and goal in mind, I drifted along my first two years of university, hiding from my anxiety and depression and letting it control my thoughts and actions.

Instead of pursuing a degree or enrolling in courses I would enjoy, I took classes that involved little to no class participation or tutorials, as those were extremely nerve wracking for me at the time. POLS 110 was the only exception since it included a weekly tutorial, but I did not attend any; not because I was academically disinterested, but because of my social anxiety. I was lost in terms of a direction, goal and purpose. I stopped talking to my friends on my floor as my anxiety grew, which eventually gave way to depression. Even walking to class became a challenge, as I would struggle to breath. I was only comfortable when I was alone in my room. I lost interest in activities that I previously enjoyed, such as sports and politics. Despite all this, I did not know I was suffering from anxiety or depression. I thought it was a combination of a lack of confidence and homesickness. In addition, seeing my high school friends excel in all areas of University only made me question myself more and lead me to be even more displeased with my situation. I just did not know where to change it or how I possibly could. I thought I would have to live like this my entire life, as a shy, introverted social wreck without direction or purpose in life. However, today I can see that it was just severe anxiety and depression that lead me to such a dark place. However, I have also learnt that with the support of friends, family and specialists, it is possible to leave such a place, no matter how bad it may seem.

My only regret is waiting so long to seek support. However, I did not know where to go or who to turn to. I feared my family and friends would judge me, and I kept it all in, hoping it would go away. It is only now in my fifth year, with perspective and experience that I realize I could have turned to anyone for help; be it my roommate, floor mates, my don, or even my professor, and they would have pointed me in the right direction. In this hopeless situation and confused state of mind, my grades inevitably suffered. I received a grade of D in PHIL 115 and D in ECON 111. It is for these courses that I am appealing for.

As mentioned above, I did not know what I was going to do with my future or my life, so university seemed more like a burden to me than a responsibility or opportunity. This is why I did not appeal the grade earlier (within the 21 day limit); because I was extremely confused and all over the place in terms of my career, my future and my mental health. I was not myself, and I let my academics suffer as a result. Today, having figured out what I want to do with my life, I would have appealed this grade immediately. On several occasions did I ponder on ending my involvement at Queen's (and even deeper thoughts) , but my parents did not know what I was going through, and had put so much on the line for me, that I felt I owed it to them to keep trying. This is why I finally walked to the HCDS (now known as the Student Wellness Centre) one day, without a clue of where it would lead me. It just seemed like the right place to start. I was put in touch with Dr. Arunima Khanna, a counselor at Queen's. Her email address is : 7ak1@queensu.ca, and she will be sending a letter to the faculty on my behalf. It felt relieving to talk to her about what I had been through. However, even then I had not been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. In the summer at the end of my first year (2013), I visited my family doctor, Dr. Conrad Richard Fishcer at West Durham Family Health Team, in Pickering, Ontario. (His number is: (905) 420-9999). I still did not know I had anxiety, and was prescribed medication to help my breathing. This helped in my second year, but only slightly.

I decided to major in economics, not because I enjoyed it, but because it involved little to no participation of public speaking. My anxiety was so severe, that even though I was not good at math, I decided to pursue economics, just to avoid a potentially nerve wracking social situation. I ended up with a D- in ECON 111. My anxiety and depression leading to a loss of direction and concrete plan is reflected in my grades and course selection during the first two years at Queen's. Again, I did not appeal this grade, because I had no idea what I was going to do in the future. I knew I did not enjoy economics nor did I see myself pursuing a career in or related to the field, but as long as I wasn't in a situation that would trigger my anxiety, that was good enough.

In the summer of my second year (2014), I knew I had to make a change. I changed my major from economics to history. Having spoken to Dr. Arunima, along with some deep self reflection, I came to the conclusion that if I was to ever be a success, I needed to master social and public speaking skills. I could not hide from my fears, and wanted to face them head on. On this note, I bought several self-help books and practiced breathing exercises, the latter of which were recommended by Dr. Arunama.

Subsequently, I decided to switch my major from economics to history. I knew that this would set me back a year, but I saw no point in pursuing a degree I wouldn't enjoy, even if I did not have to public speak. I always enjoyed learning about history even though politics is where my interest is most peaked. However, the course selection of history seemed more fun. I decided that I would do whatever is necessary to excel in my history degree, and would use self-help techniques to battle my social anxiety and acute breathing problems.

However, my depression still persisted, and in the summer of 2015 I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and clinical depression. My family physician, Dr. Conrad Fischer, prescribed antidepressants to me. I have attached a letter from him confirming this. I have also included a letter received from my psychiatrist at Queen¿¿s, Dr. Simon O¿¿Brien.

If you look at my grades following the summer where I switched my major, you will see that I really did turn over a new leaf. My grades improved immediately, and I became more involved in extracurricular activities which interested me and gave me happiness. Further, I even managed to land internships at law firms in the successive summers of 2015 and 2016. Regardless, I know my cumulative GPA is not a true reflection of my academic ability. This is why I am hoping you would grant me a credit standing In both the classes I am appealing.

Today, I know what I want in life. I had not figured this out during my first two years, which is why I decided not to appeal the grade. As previously mentioned, university seemed like a burden which further increased my anxiety and depression. I was not myself, which lead me to be uncertain and lost in terms of my career and mental health. I let my grades suffer. Today, I would appeal such a grade immediately. As a result of me not appealing, my cumulative GPA Is significantly low, and this hurts because I know it is not a true reflection of myself as a student.I have come a long way from my first two years at Queen's, and have grown as a person, student and leader. I want to be a lawyer and want to go to law school upon graduation. However, with the CGPA I have right now, that is not possible.

I did not know what I wanted to do with my life in my first two years at Queen's, since my anxiety and asthma took hold of me, leading to numerous panic attacks, nervous breakdowns and dark thoughts. However, this is no longer the case now. Bit by bit, I am taking control of my life again.

I want my cumulative GPA to be a true reflection of myself as a student, person and leader. This credit standing can go a long way in terms of bettering my CGPA, which can enable me to bring admitted into law school. Having always been a hard working student and demanding the best of my self, I know that my CGPA should be higher, and that the only reason it is very low is because of the miserable situation I battled and found myself in during the first two years at Queen's. Following these two years, my grades have skyrocketed, which is a more accurate reflection of myself in an academic setting. I even managed to land internships at law firms in the consecutive summers of 2015 and 2016, further displaying my true potential and belief that my first two years were not an accurate portrayal of myself at all. I always believed I could turn it around once I found support. I found this support in my counselor, self-help techniques, and my faith.

Still, my grades following my first two years are not enough to repair the damage that was caused. I am sincerely hoping you will waive the 21 day appeal deadline, so I can get a credit standing on both the courses I received a D in, and so that some of the damage caused by my mental illness on my CGPA can be repaired. That is the only way I can free myself of my past, and better my future by being admitted into law school.

Thank you very much for your time,

Kind Regards,

Safwan Dadabhoy.