Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to appeal to late-¿drop a number of courses without academic penalty, which for medical reasons that I will outline below, I was unable to complete, or to complete successfully. The courses are as follows:

Fall 2008 ¿¿ RELS 340, POLS 367, POLS 366, DEVS 340
Fall 2009 ¿¿ DEVS 321, DEVS 340, POLS 243
Winter 2010 ¿¿ POLS 244, DEVS 300, HIST 252, SPAN 112, MUSC 289
Fall 2010 ¿¿ DEVS 320, HIST 267, POLS 242
Winter 2011 ¿¿ DEVS 340, POLS 243, POLS 263
Fall 2011 ¿¿ DEVS 392

I began my studies through Queen¿¿s at Herstmonceux and for my first two years I was very successful. In the fall of 2008 I began to suffer from significant mood disorders ¿¿ anxiety and depression ¿¿ which had a considerably negative impact on my academic performance. In addition, between 2009 and 2012 I struggled with an unstable family situation. I started to experience panic attacks prior to classes and presentations, and found it increasingly difficult to meet deadlines. I understood the course materials, and in most cases was able to complete my work up to a certain point. For instance, I could do research, write drafts and prepare presentations, but would experience extreme levels of anxiety (shortness of breath, uncontrollable crying, heart palpitations and migraines) when attempting to submit an assignment or just prior to a presentation. As a result I began to fail and became deeply depressed.
I initially sought help through the Queen¿¿s Counselling Department. With their assistance I was able to apply for incomplete status for courses from the fall term of 2008. I was not offered further counselling or a recommendation that I see a physician, which in hindsight I desperately needed.
I had previously been accepted to go on exchange for the winter term of 2009. Though I was struggling personally and academically, since I had done so well in my first year in England, I thought the change of environment would be beneficial. However, I continued to experience the same difficulties, became more deeply depressed and spent much of the term confined to my room.
Upon return to Canada in the summer of 2009 I learned that while I was away my father had been diagnosed with a serious illness as a result of an addiction he was suffering from. As I did not have a good relationship with my mother, my father was my main source of support and as his situation deteriorated so did mine.
I restarted at Queen¿¿s in the fall of 2009 and had a disastrous year. I was devastated after having failed an entire year. I again sought help through Queen¿¿s Counselling, but was only assigned to a counsellor-¿in-¿training, who placed me in an anxiety-¿management group, which proved unhelpful to my circumstance. I now know, with the help of my physician that I was suffering from a clinical condition and should have received more substantial treatment much sooner. I kept continuing with my studies believing that because I had been successful once, I could be again.
I began seeing a Physician through the Queen¿¿s Psychiatry department in January 2010. We worked together for the following two years, during which time I was prescribed a medication for anxiety and depression. I thought with this new support I could continue in my studies, however, my father was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and I fell into a deeper depression.
As a person experiencing a first-¿onset depressive illness, I was unaware of what was actually happening to me and unaware of what I should have done, which was to withdraw from my studies. I decided not to re-enroll in 2012. I left Queen¿¿s and Kingston in April 2012 when I went to go stay with extended family to help recover from this experience.
I have had many years to consider my time at Queen¿¿s between 2008 and 2012 and the setbacks I experienced. At the time I reflected on my academic failures with embarrassment and shame that led to depression. I now know that what I was feeling and the ultimate result was due to an illness that was out of my control. I strongly believe that I have received the proper treatment and developed the appropriate tools to deal with such feelings in a proactive manner.
Since 2012 I have continued with the same medicated treatment until November 2015 when my physician felt I could reduce the dose by half. Since receiving the proper treatment I have not experienced any episodes of uncontrollable anxiety or depression and I feel ready to come back to Queen¿¿s to complete my degree. It is my intention to begin with a light course load and continue with a pace that can ensure my success. Completing my degree is my most important goal and I have committed myself to doing what is necessary in order to be successful while maintaining my health.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this appeal. Sincerely,
Gillian Garayt 5554060