Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: January 9, 2017.

To the attention of: Associate Dean (Studies)
Re: Carley Alves (ID 10187862)

I am currently a second year Sociology Major at Queen¿¿s University. I am appealing to the faculty of Arts and Science to grant me CR standing in the courses I took in the fall semester of this year (2016/2017).
These courses include: Sociology 210 (Social Research Methods)
Sociology 226 (Central Concepts in Sociological Theory)
Sociology 275 (Theories of Deviance and Social Control)
Politics 280 (Women and Gender in Politics).

Due to mental health issues that I began experiencing at the beginning of last year, I was unable to complete this past semester to the best of my abilities. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety by a general practitioner in Toronto in May of 2016, and prescribed anti anxiety medication. My symptoms of depression include diminished interest and lack of motivation in most activities, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia. It was very difficult for me to complete assignments, and in most cases the work I produced was not a true representation of my academic abilities. My ¿best work¿¿ during this time was, at best, the bare minimum, and often times, I lacked the motivation to complete my assignments at all. My difficulty concentrating often caused me to become dazed or inattentive in lectures and tutorials, and miss critical course information or not participate in group discussions in tutorials.

Although at the beginning of the semester I was physically in class, mentally I was unable to be present. When I tried to complete course readings it would take me hours to read just a few short pages, and my depressive thoughts would override my concentration on the course readings. It was extremely difficult to read for extended periods of time, as most of my courses required me to do.

My insomnia and constant fatigue also made it very hard for me to pay attention in, and at times, attend classes. Because I was unable to sleep at night, I would often need to sleep during the day, and unfortunately miss classes. Of course, it is nearly impossible to do well in school when you are unable to attend, complete, or participate in the course at hand.

My anxiety is greatly triggered by being in crowds of people. Large groups of people make me extremely nervous and scared and it was this immense fear that would lead to many public panic attacks. Numerous times I would experience panic attacks and would feel very physically and mentally uncomfortable in lecture halls that often contain upwards of one hundred students. These panic attacks made it impossible for me to sit through numerous lectures, and towards the end of the year, it was not only my fear of large groups, but also my fear of experiencing another panic attack that caused me to avoid most of my lectures all together.

Eventually in mid October my depressive mood, social anxiety, and extreme exhaustion led to me being taken to Kingston General Hospital, and consequently having to return home to Toronto for a mental health break. This break lasted eight days. I was physically not able to attend any of my classes for that week. When I completed a ¿declaration of illness¿¿ form to explain my absence from tutorials, it was unaccepted because of the lack of details provided regarding my very personal and private condition, and therefore my marks were greatly affected by my prolonged absence.

Throughout this time, I was consistently (1-2 times a week) meeting with psychological counsellor in both Toronto and Kingston, attached you will find a letter from my counsellor in Kingston verifying the above conditions and proof of treatment. Also in November, I began seeing a general practitioner at Student Wellness Services on campus in the hopes of being prescribed a new (more effective) medication, as the one I have been on has clearly not helped my condition. Also attached to this letter of appeal, you will find a letter that I attained in November from Student Wellness Services advising my professors and teaching assistants of my extenuating circumstances.

I intend to continue working to treat my condition by continuing to attend regular counselling, and taking my new medication diligently. Also, I have taken on a lighter course load for the winter term, so to not become overwhelmed, and to allow more flexibility if I need to return to Toronto, for doctors appointments, or for another mental health break, if needed, without interfering with my class schedule.

I know that I can do better, and my marks from last semester do not reflect my true academic ability. I am working very hard to overcome this obstacle in my life, so that it does not affect my marks in future courses, and I am confident that with the adjustments I have made, I will get better and produce the academic success I know that I am capable of.

Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon.


Carley Alves