Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3503
Submitted: May 19, 2017 at 5:51:21 PM
First Name: Steven
Last Name: Meredith
Student Number: 20031346
Email: 16ssm1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: COCA
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Code: CISC 101
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: CISC 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: FILM 110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: MUSC 102
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: GNDS 125
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard,
I am reaching out to the you in hopes of a fresh start as this past year has been one plagued with adversity and obstacles both internal and external whereby I wasn't able to achieve my full potential. I am currently getting the proper support I need to conquer this adversity, and I am hopeful for an opportunity to get a second chance this upcoming September. I am appealing to drop FILM 110, CISC 101, CISC 102, MUSC 102 and GNDS 125 from my transcript, and I want to return to Queen's in September of 2017 as a full-time student.
My course selection wasn't suited to my strengths and as a student. This became evident in early October. I immediately felt that I had lost control and fell far behind not knowing where exactly to turn for help and began to withdraw emotionally as a result. I sought out guidance for my course selection and spoke to a student academic advisor in October who didn't offer me any meaningful help. I decided to stay with my original courses but in hindsight I wish that I had simply taken the initiative and dropped the courses I had trouble with.
My parents were deeply concerned for me as I am typically extroverted by nature and had become withdrawn and less social as I was falling behind. I was sleeping less and had almost lost my appetite. On the recommendation of my Mother I visited doctor's in December, January, and February feeling down and concerned that not only was the academic situation overwhelming, but I began obsessing about my physical health brought on by a previous accident/trauma to the head and hip that I had suffered 2 years prior which was interfering with my self-confidence. I sought and continued to seek medical counselling and have all the supporting documentation regarding the aftermath of the concussion, and of note have visited the Neurology Dept. at Toronto Western this past February while waiting months for an MRI which was on May 4th. All in hopes of shedding light on and uncovering the physical implications so that I can then more forward as I have been working towards building and empowering myself with council and introspection. I am also looking into being tested for a possible learning disability through the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre.
On the recommendation of a family member on faculty at Queen's I was put in touch with Haley Everson, who helped me form a plan of action for this year and the next. I am continuously seeking ongoing Health counseling both physical and emotional with physio, cranial sacral, and accessing the Wellness program at Queen's with Doctor Campbell, as well as been to an appointment from a medical referral with Dr. Basic in Kingston. The objective is to assist me with coping and accepting the aftermath of the accident and to move forward towards success both in my academics at Queen's and with all aspects in my life in general.
The Accident:
As it may be of consequence, in June of 2014 I suffered a head injury as a result of a bike accident with a TTC bus. I lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital where I regained consciousness, where I was diagnosed with a concussion and a hip injury.
I had ongoing appointments to physio, however I suppressed the concussion and its side effects dismissing that there may have been anything wrong or something to worry about. It wasn't until October of 2016 at Queen's when I began to question my ability to focus and stay on task. I became overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and felt I was unable to turn it around. This resulted in my academics falling further and further behind, and me to become depressed. As previously highlighted, I sought out medical and academic counseling throughout the year, and I will continue to do so in the future.
I am reaching out to the you in hopes of a fresh start as this past year has been one plagued with adversity and obstacles both internal and external whereby I wasn't able to achieve my full potential. I am currently getting the proper support I need to conquer this adversity, and I am hopeful for an opportunity to get a second chance this upcoming September. I am appealing to drop FILM 110, CISC 101, CISC 102, MUSC 102 and GNDS 125 from my transcript, and I want to return to Queen's in September of 2017 as a full-time student.
My course selection wasn't suited to my strengths and as a student. This became evident in early October. I immediately felt that I had lost control and fell far behind not knowing where exactly to turn for help and began to withdraw emotionally as a result. I sought out guidance for my course selection and spoke to a student academic advisor in October who didn't offer me any meaningful help. I decided to stay with my original courses but in hindsight I wish that I had simply taken the initiative and dropped the courses I had trouble with.
My parents were deeply concerned for me as I am typically extroverted by nature and had become withdrawn and less social as I was falling behind. I was sleeping less and had almost lost my appetite. On the recommendation of my Mother I visited doctor's in December, January, and February feeling down and concerned that not only was the academic situation overwhelming, but I began obsessing about my physical health brought on by a previous accident/trauma to the head and hip that I had suffered 2 years prior which was interfering with my self-confidence. I sought and continued to seek medical counselling and have all the supporting documentation regarding the aftermath of the concussion, and of note have visited the Neurology Dept. at Toronto Western this past February while waiting months for an MRI which was on May 4th. All in hopes of shedding light on and uncovering the physical implications so that I can then more forward as I have been working towards building and empowering myself with council and introspection. I am also looking into being tested for a possible learning disability through the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre.
On the recommendation of a family member on faculty at Queen's I was put in touch with Haley Everson, who helped me form a plan of action for this year and the next. I am continuously seeking ongoing Health counseling both physical and emotional with physio, cranial sacral, and accessing the Wellness program at Queen's with Doctor Campbell, as well as been to an appointment from a medical referral with Dr. Basic in Kingston. The objective is to assist me with coping and accepting the aftermath of the accident and to move forward towards success both in my academics at Queen's and with all aspects in my life in general.
The Accident:
As it may be of consequence, in June of 2014 I suffered a head injury as a result of a bike accident with a TTC bus. I lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital where I regained consciousness, where I was diagnosed with a concussion and a hip injury.
I had ongoing appointments to physio, however I suppressed the concussion and its side effects dismissing that there may have been anything wrong or something to worry about. It wasn't until October of 2016 at Queen's when I began to question my ability to focus and stay on task. I became overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and felt I was unable to turn it around. This resulted in my academics falling further and further behind, and me to become depressed. As previously highlighted, I sought out medical and academic counseling throughout the year, and I will continue to do so in the future.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Academically I am strong in my written, oral and communication skills and I will make sure to choose courses that play to those strengths. For instance, I did well in philosophy and I will continue to take courses similar to that if given the opportunity. I have also been a strong reader throughout my schooling and I plan to take courses like English, history, and other art & science subjects I feel that I am able to excel in. I believe the main reason I had trouble last year was that I was enrolled in too many courses that I wasn't completely confident in, so if given another chance I will take a lesser course load and make sure that each course plays to my strengths as a student.
These things are all primary components of my plan for academic success, along with things like balancing my time better by scheduling things like studying, being more physically activity, and eating healthier.
Another key element of my plan is to spend plenty of time on getting the extra academic help I need in order to succeed, instead of attempting to do it alone which I tried last year. Also I will continue to seek out the medical help I need through counselling in Kingston, at the clinic with Dr. Basic and the Student Wellness Services at Queens which I both recently visited on May 8th. I will make sure to visit the Arts & Science guidance counselling office if I have any questions about my degree path and to make sure I made the correct decisions in my course selection before It is too late. Additionally I will work on improving my study habits with the Student Success Services at Queens to make sure that I am learning in ways that are effective for me. One more part of my plan for academic success is to shift from a computing centered degree plan, to an arts and English focused path which I am more comfortable with. I believe that if I am given the chance to follow my plan for academic success, I will prove myself as a student who can succeed at Queen's University. Thank you for this opportunity.
These things are all primary components of my plan for academic success, along with things like balancing my time better by scheduling things like studying, being more physically activity, and eating healthier.
Another key element of my plan is to spend plenty of time on getting the extra academic help I need in order to succeed, instead of attempting to do it alone which I tried last year. Also I will continue to seek out the medical help I need through counselling in Kingston, at the clinic with Dr. Basic and the Student Wellness Services at Queens which I both recently visited on May 8th. I will make sure to visit the Arts & Science guidance counselling office if I have any questions about my degree path and to make sure I made the correct decisions in my course selection before It is too late. Additionally I will work on improving my study habits with the Student Success Services at Queens to make sure that I am learning in ways that are effective for me. One more part of my plan for academic success is to shift from a computing centered degree plan, to an arts and English focused path which I am more comfortable with. I believe that if I am given the chance to follow my plan for academic success, I will prove myself as a student who can succeed at Queen's University. Thank you for this opportunity.
Documentation
Professional Letter: 201705091640-0.pdf
Document: 201705031824-0.pdf
Document: 201705031752-0.pdf