Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3691
Submitted: July 24, 2017 at 2:34:15 PM
First Name: Jackson
Last Name: Bionda
Student Number: 20019266
Email: 15jdam@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: Arts and Sciences
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHIL 153
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Attention: Associate Dean of Studies, Queen¿¿s University, Kingston
Request: I am appealing to drop PHIL 153 (winter 2017).
I am asking for the appeal to drop this class for reasons of extenuating circumstances, beyond my control. My circumstances are a mental illness, depression, which I am presently receiving treatment. It is hard to describe how I felt but mostly it seemed like I was in a fog as nothing seemed to be clear or easy for me. It wasn¿¿t so much as being in a down mood towards people as it was just feeling tired or extremely unmotivated most of the time. I would have bursts of energy one day and really be into my classes with full participation and then 1 or 2 days later in the same class I would likely not go and if I did, I was a different student. These feelings would go on for days and weeks. From October 2016, right through to the end of school and past is my timeline. This untreated illness prevented me from being my normal self, and contributed largely to a very poor academic result.
Specifically, for PHIL 153, it should be noted that I did not attend one single class and furthermore due to my state of mind, I was unable to drop the class on my own behalf. I added this class in January 2017, after dropping two classes that in retrospect I should not have dropped. During this time, I was acting irrationally, making uninformed decisions that could have been worked out properly if I was able minded enough to use the full support system I have from my family as well as the facilities at Queen¿¿s. Not being able to simply drop this class using Solus, has lead me to an F, as well as a serious hit on my GPA and transcript history.
During the year on two separate occasions, I sought help from the Queen¿¿s Wellness centre. I spoke with Alyssa both times, the first being on December 1, 2016 and next on April 18, 2017. We focused on my inability to sleep and my diet but in all fairness, I didn¿¿t give Alyssa the absolute truth in how I was really feeling. Given the limited information she did have, further help with health professionals was suggested but I did not follow up. It was easier to retreat to my residence. Tired, withdrawn and lack of motivation for anything on a day to day basis was the normal for me. It sounds and looks weak on paper but it is a reality.
Since returning home after exams, I had to face the music and told my parents about my first year, and after showing them my marks it led to some serious talks. They fast tracked an early July appointment with my family physician, Dr. Greg Stewart, and I had a second visit with Dr. Stewart on July 19 as well. Additionally, through Dr. Stewart, I was quickly referred to and have started weekly counselling sessions with Alison Hamilton from the Algonquin Family Health Team in Huntsville. I attended sessions on July 12 and 20th, plus I have additional August sessions already booked.
After many talks with my parents, my appointments with Dr. Stewart and Allison Hamilton, plus a telephone appointment with academic advisor, Caroline Teske, I am looking forward to continuing my education at Queen¿¿s this fall. Although my first year was quite an ordeal, I need to look at what is ahead of me. Presently, with only 15.0 credits I will need to treat my second year as an extension of my first, and that will have to do. I am on Academic Probation as it stands right now and I am hopeful that will go away after I finish an incomplete as well as being successful with this appeal. I will also have to follow some procedures and agreements that include open communication, medication, check ins and check-ups. This is something that I am confident I can and will do. My parents will assist in finding suitable counsellors and Physicians in the Kingston area for when I return in September.
I am planning my classes this year with my parents input and focusing on a schedule that will work well with my needs both educationally and personally. I will still take advantage of being undeclared this year.
In closing, I would like to offer my thanks for your time for this appeal. Please accept the above as truthful as I have done my best to recollect and be factual. Additionally, I have provided a copy of a letter from Dr. Stewart and previously submitted my request for supporting documentation and consent for release of information to the Student Wellness/Queen¿¿s Counselling Services.
Sincerely,
Jackson Bionda - 20019266
Request: I am appealing to drop PHIL 153 (winter 2017).
I am asking for the appeal to drop this class for reasons of extenuating circumstances, beyond my control. My circumstances are a mental illness, depression, which I am presently receiving treatment. It is hard to describe how I felt but mostly it seemed like I was in a fog as nothing seemed to be clear or easy for me. It wasn¿¿t so much as being in a down mood towards people as it was just feeling tired or extremely unmotivated most of the time. I would have bursts of energy one day and really be into my classes with full participation and then 1 or 2 days later in the same class I would likely not go and if I did, I was a different student. These feelings would go on for days and weeks. From October 2016, right through to the end of school and past is my timeline. This untreated illness prevented me from being my normal self, and contributed largely to a very poor academic result.
Specifically, for PHIL 153, it should be noted that I did not attend one single class and furthermore due to my state of mind, I was unable to drop the class on my own behalf. I added this class in January 2017, after dropping two classes that in retrospect I should not have dropped. During this time, I was acting irrationally, making uninformed decisions that could have been worked out properly if I was able minded enough to use the full support system I have from my family as well as the facilities at Queen¿¿s. Not being able to simply drop this class using Solus, has lead me to an F, as well as a serious hit on my GPA and transcript history.
During the year on two separate occasions, I sought help from the Queen¿¿s Wellness centre. I spoke with Alyssa both times, the first being on December 1, 2016 and next on April 18, 2017. We focused on my inability to sleep and my diet but in all fairness, I didn¿¿t give Alyssa the absolute truth in how I was really feeling. Given the limited information she did have, further help with health professionals was suggested but I did not follow up. It was easier to retreat to my residence. Tired, withdrawn and lack of motivation for anything on a day to day basis was the normal for me. It sounds and looks weak on paper but it is a reality.
Since returning home after exams, I had to face the music and told my parents about my first year, and after showing them my marks it led to some serious talks. They fast tracked an early July appointment with my family physician, Dr. Greg Stewart, and I had a second visit with Dr. Stewart on July 19 as well. Additionally, through Dr. Stewart, I was quickly referred to and have started weekly counselling sessions with Alison Hamilton from the Algonquin Family Health Team in Huntsville. I attended sessions on July 12 and 20th, plus I have additional August sessions already booked.
After many talks with my parents, my appointments with Dr. Stewart and Allison Hamilton, plus a telephone appointment with academic advisor, Caroline Teske, I am looking forward to continuing my education at Queen¿¿s this fall. Although my first year was quite an ordeal, I need to look at what is ahead of me. Presently, with only 15.0 credits I will need to treat my second year as an extension of my first, and that will have to do. I am on Academic Probation as it stands right now and I am hopeful that will go away after I finish an incomplete as well as being successful with this appeal. I will also have to follow some procedures and agreements that include open communication, medication, check ins and check-ups. This is something that I am confident I can and will do. My parents will assist in finding suitable counsellors and Physicians in the Kingston area for when I return in September.
I am planning my classes this year with my parents input and focusing on a schedule that will work well with my needs both educationally and personally. I will still take advantage of being undeclared this year.
In closing, I would like to offer my thanks for your time for this appeal. Please accept the above as truthful as I have done my best to recollect and be factual. Additionally, I have provided a copy of a letter from Dr. Stewart and previously submitted my request for supporting documentation and consent for release of information to the Student Wellness/Queen¿¿s Counselling Services.
Sincerely,
Jackson Bionda - 20019266
Documentation
Professional Letter: 20019266 - DR. Stewart 1.jpeg
