Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of studies,

I am appealing to drop HIST 246 (Winter, 2017) for medical reasons. Due to a severe concussion, I have been unable to therefore perform academically to my best abilities academically within this course. Unfortunately, this concussion occurred after the last date to drop classes without academic penalty. I am incapable of doing well in this course due to my concussion and therefore I am asking to appeal HIST 246.

My academics have been affected due to my inability to see and read lecture slides, read and understand the material at an appropriate level, and comprehend the course content in lecture. I have been unable to perform to the best of my academic abilities. It has impacted my ability to complete assignments at a satisfactory level, subsequently having a negative impact on my grade in this course. The impact of my concussion is negatively affecting my academics, and is causing me to be unable to continue through this course as strongly academically as I would have hoped. As I have been unwell I have missed a great deal of course content which will be extremely troublesome to catch up on considering my poor current state of health.

Doctors have advised me to take time off my classes until mid-April and refrain from all physical activity. I have been strongly recommended to stay in a dark room with little noise, and to get plenty of sleep so that I may recover faster. Due to these medical recommendations that I have followed, I have been unable to attend lectures and complete the necessary course requirements.

I am planning on taking time off being a varsity athlete. As much as I enjoy participating in the sport of cheerleading at Queen¿¿s University and contributing to the Kingston community, I understand my health and my academics come first. By taking a break from Queen¿¿s athletics, I can put my health as my main priotirty in order to be able to once again succeed academically. Being a team varsity athlete is a very important element in my university experience. The team has allowed me to meet my closest friends, instilled more confidence in me, and is my de-stressor. Although taking a break from being on the team will alter my university experience greatly, I realize that putting this sport aside is the so that I may recover fully is a necessary step.

In order to aid in my recovery, I plan on visiting a health professional as well as a personal counsellor. By visiting a health professional, I will learn the necessary steps to recover and will gain knowledge in order to prevent further injuries. A health professional will also aid me in coping with possible continuing effects of my concussion and help me heal fully. A personal counsellor will advise me on steps to be able to continuing with my education while still dealing with symptoms that may continue as a result from the concussion. They will be able to allow me to continue with the rest of my university career path I choose to follow, essentially reassuring me that medical accidents do happen and that one has the academic and mental ability to recover and succeed.

I am passionate about my education at Queen¿¿s and am excited to be able to continue my studies after my recovery. I am taking the necessary steps in order to recover and to be able to once again succeed academically. I understand that the date to drop this course has passed; however as I am incapable of succeeding academically I hope you will consider my appeal for HIST 246.

Sincerely,

Bethany Yan