Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jill Atkinson,

I am appealing to request credit standing (CR) in the following course(s) due to extenuating circumstances:

ECON 110
CLST 103
ASTR 101
Film 110

Furthermore, I am appealing to request to drop a course after the academic deadline for the following course(s):

ENGL 100

For the past year, I have experienced certain extenuating circumstances that have directly affected my academic performance. I have had certain psychological and mental issues that have severely affected my academic ability to perform. Anxiety and depression, as well as suicidal thoughts have made attending lectures and finishing course work incredibly difficult. Typical panic attacks within lecture halls crammed by hundreds of students were common, as well as frequent depressive thoughts and episodes that deterred my ability to attend class and finish course work, as well as directly affecting my testing abilities.

After the end of the first term of the 2016 exam season, I had failed or was close to failing most of my courses. I had failed my ASTR 101 course due to a failed exam and a missed assignment due to negligence, and difficulty finding help as I had trouble settling into the new environment away from my family. I had also failed my mid-terms of Econ 110, and Engl 100, as well as missing a significant portion of Film110 graded quizzes.

I didn't realize of the infrastructure in place for help, or rather, didn't reach out for help until I started having severe suicidal thoughts and rarely ever left my room. By the time I had been given access to certain services such as Queen's disability services and was given medication to try and offset the situation, as well as regular visits with the mental health counselors, the year had already been completed for the most part.

In conclusion, for the majority of last year, I had a difficult time adjusting to the new environment with mental illnesses, and by the time I had realized help was available and started taking medication, the year had already been completed for the most part. Work in class, particularly missed work, severely affected my grades as well as failed exams.

However, I reached out for help and Queen's has been fantastic in providing me with the kindest care. I was able to have regular weekly consultations with mental health counselors and medical doctors, and I was given medications which have greatly improved my situation.

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Jacob


A documentation from a doctor can be attached, but as I can't schedule an appointment with the original doctor that diagnosed my situation, if possible, would it be alright if it was given straight to the faculty of Art & Sci at the later dates of September


Future Plan:

I plan to take this following academic year off (2017) to take care of my health and return to Queen's for the academic year of 2018. I plan to major in Economics.

Regarding the mental illnesses, I plan to continue my follow-ups with my mental health counselor, as well as my health care professional, and continue taking medication which has so far been largely beneficial to my well-being.