Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am requesting to submit late coursework and have my grades reconsidered for the following subjects: ENGL 200, ENGL 292, ENGL 215, and POLS 101.

I had a significantly challenging year and my academic performance has consequently suffered. While I take full responsibility for my actions and am not trying to excuse my academic faults, I would like to provide a bit of an overview of the circumstances that have contributed to my insubstantial GPA.

In 2015, Dr. Michael Allan (Toronto, ON) diagnosed me with Attention-Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder, a learning disability in Working Memory and Processing Speed, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Since then, I have been trying different medications to better manage the symptoms of my ADHD, however, it was not until the end of the Winter term (March 2017) that I found a medication which actually benefited me. This medication may have been enough to help my ADHD, but an onslaught of other issues were already at play and could not have been remedied by medication alone. I had already spent the past year struggling with serious familial concerns, anxiety, depression, and a workload that I could not keep up with, all of which worsened the typical symptoms associated with my ADHD.

I initially registered for a heavy course load during the Fall/Winter 2016/2017 semesters. I wanted to stay on track with my plan to graduate by the end of 2017 and I mistakenly thought I could handle the amount of work that would be expected of me. As the year progressed, issues in my personal life seriously escalated. It was difficult me for to function in multiple aspects of my life; in addition to my academics, my relationships and personal finances also suffered. I took on a lot of stress and turmoil that my family was experiencing, and began feeling a sense of grief that I could not shake or ignore. It became increasingly more challenging for me to focus on the school work I was already struggling to manage with ADHD. This year was the first year I had to take on part-time work to financially support myself, which many students must do, but given the circumstances, it resulted in more stress and time away from tackling a full course load. I often consulted professional counsellors at Student Services Counselling to address my mental health, but I still felt overwhelmed, inadequate, and found it difficult to finish any work I had begun. I was both physically and mentally exhausted.

I understand the purpose behind deadlines, but I fought a cyclical battle of starting one assignment before finishing another. I missed many school deadlines because I was too disappointed in myself to submit incomplete work. Professor Morgan-Straker recognized my ability to comprehend the course material in ENGL 200, and at the end of the Winter semester, encouraged me to appeal to the Associate Dean. Even with his encouragement, a combination of feeling ashamed and depressed prevented me from thinking clearly and seeking the help I now I realize I needed from my professors. I understand now that I should have communicated these struggles sooner, rather than avoid confrontation entirely.

It has taken me time and professional help to get to a place where I can properly analyze my own struggles and recognize the reasoning behind my academic faults. My poor academic performance is not reflective of my intellectual capability, nor is it a result of laziness or negligence. This past year was a breaking point for me. I made many poor academic decisions, but I have learned how crucial it is to address these issues properly and ask for help when necessary.

I have devised a personal plan to ensure I reach my fullest academic potential going forward. In addition to more regular counselling, I have signed up for a reduced course load through Athabasca University and plan on transferring those credits towards my degree plan. I will continue studying fewer subjects at a time until my GPA is back on track and until I am in a more stable position where I can allocate the appropriate amount of time and effort into my studies.

I know how fortunate I am to be a part of Queen¿¿s University, even if my grades have not shown this. If I am given the chance to submit some of my completed term work and have my grades re-evaluated, I will be able to demonstrate my true potential as a student. It may appear otherwise, but my education is very important to me. I know that finishing my studies is what I need to do in order to reach my pinnacle of success in life. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to prove myself and to get back on track towards a meaningful future. Thank you for your consideration.