Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Kyu Ryang MacKenzie Park
Student Number 10108934
13krp@queensu.ca

March 17, 2017

Dr. Johanne Bénard, Associate Dean (Studies)
Queen's Economics Department

Appeal Letter to Drop Advanced Macroeconomics, Econ 320 (Spring, 2017)

Dear Dr. Bénard,
I am writing this letter to appeal to drop Advanced Macroeconomics, Econ 320 (Spring, 2017).

I have suffered from depression, since winter of 2015, the second year at Queen's University. Unfortunately, last semester it got worsened beyond my control. Since then, I have been subjected to panic attacks, bottomless anxieties, tremors, angina, nausea, vomit, headache, insomnia and so on. I sought help from medical professionals at our school. Dr. Lacaprara came to rescue. She has been very supportive and helpful. She closely monitors my depression and anxiety. She also referred me to a specialized nurse in psychiatric unit and a psychiatrist. I have had sessions with them. In addition, I have taken sleeping peels and anti-depression peels.

Even though I suffer from serious depression arising from my compound family problems, I have tried very hard to not interrupt my study because I wanted to achieve my academic goals as planned. But from this February, I had side effects from anti-depression medication. I was not myself. I felt like walking on the cloud. My body was numb and I experienced constant dizziness. I had tremendous difficulties to concentrate on anything. This directly hindered my academic performance. I became so concerned about it. So, I arbitrarily stopped taking any further medication to enhance my concentration on study not knowing what was to come.

The problem is, however, without medication I find myself again subjected into panic attacks and extremely high anxiety beyond my control. Whenever my anxiety is heightened, I suffer from tremors, angina, headache, nightmares, nausea, and vomit. Unexpectedly and sadly, I am stuck in this vicious circle. When panic attacks me, my body becomes numb, my brain is washed away, and I lose control over my body. I am afraid that I would have heart attacks. It is hard to comprehend the situation I am in. Every single day, my both side of parents phone me or text me respectively to check whether I am alive.

Dr. Bénard, I feel helpless and hopeless. Please, help me reducing my anxieties and panic attacks by allowing me to drop Advanced Macroeconomics, Econ 320 (Spring, 2017).

For my successive academic year, I will continuously seek counsel to my doctor, Dr. Lacaprara. I believe that she would help me and guide me to deal with my ongoing issues of depression, high anxiety, and panic attacks. I will do diligently follow her advice. I am also open to learn how other people deal with their depressions and anxieties in their lives.

In addition, in the next semester, I will plan to take a lighter course load to ensure not just my academic success but also my graduation. I learnt from this experience that I need a far more careful plan to achieve my academic goals because I already suffer from serious depression. It has ability to heighten my anxiety which causes panic attacks and all other related symptoms. This academic year has been a sharp learning curve for me.

Thanks for your kind consideration.

Sincerely yours,
Kyu Ryang MacKenzie Park