Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: a. I am appealing to drop CISC101, GEOL107, and MATH126 past the 21-day deadline to appeal after the final grade has been posted. Additionally, I am looking to receive CR for the courses BIOL103, ECON110, and GPHY101 under the certain circumstances that inhibited me from performing successfully.


b.The basis of my under-performance and irregular academic behavior stems from my unidentified psychological challenges and mental health issues. I had struggled with depression, anxiety, and symptoms of ADD throughout parts of secondary school but the severity increased once I entered university. Not being so familiar with the symptoms and signs of these illnesses, I didn't recognize the destructive position I was in and didn't think to address it. Until as of late, after evaluating thoughts of suicide, I have now come to terms with my current and previous struggle with mental health. First year, during the first month of university it was very difficult transitioning into such a demanding schedule. The nature of the transition sent me into a state of being overwhelmed and hopeless and I slept anywhere from 10-14 hours during the day and had insomnia during the night hours. At times, I would sleep and miss all meals for the day and feel lethargic and hungry afterward. It was especially hard coping with a roommate and the traffic in the room when I was trying to subconsciously make things better for my mental health- instead I was distracted and found other ways to isolate myself socially and academically. It worsened through Fall 2015 midterms but it felt normal to me because I never evaluated my situation with the importance I should have. As a student who would be upset and in turn work extra hard when receiving a poor grade, I instead accepted it and continued to feel hopeless without seeking counselling, speaking to the prof, or dropping the course. I was not in the right mindset. As my mental health has worsened, I now identify my current state and I feel it is rather late, although I also believe that tardiness isn't accounted for when addressing one's mental function in tandem with academic challenges that result. Now I feel that I am steadily acknowledging and addressing my issues to set a clear mental state for the years of my undergraduate career to come. However, in the process of seeking help and coming to terms with my mental health issues, I have experienced frequent panic attacks but have sought help and advice from Queen's Health and Wellness. Contrasting my reaction to these events from 1st year to present day, I have realized there is help and opportunities on campus to balance extenuating events of illness and stress and academic success. I realized in those events, instead of skipping tests due to anxiety attacks and depression, I could in turn contact professors and pursue deferred and makeup tests and exams. It is a humbling realization and makes this institution seem more supportive and success-driven than I had initially perceived.


c.As I had addressed earlier, I was not performing to my academic ability due to mental hindrances. It is fortunate how I now understand and accept that notion. Now I am taking next steps to a brighter and successful future. I have spoken to academic advisers through ArtSci to help with my degree/major plans and had spent time seeking counselling, disclosing my feelings and behaviors I have been socially repressing for the past 4 years. Overall I am in the process of addressing and inhibiting my suicidal thoughts and tendencies, as well as keeping a planner to stay on track with assignments and academic responsibilities. In light of these current life adjustments, I feel as if I revert to a time where I didn't struggle with these issues I will stay on track and succeed academically. I have a psychiatrist appointment pending for when I return to my home city to address my ADD symptoms, depression and anxiety. In the meantime, I have received knowledge, coping mechanisms, and helpful advice from my La Salle counselor and online resources to remain focused, healthy, and academically on track until I receive medical attention. I see a bright and impacting future at Queen's and it is unfortunate I didn't recognize my faults earlier but I was not equipped with the confidence and resources to aid in helping my mental issues and strengthen my outlook on myself and my academic career.