Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3904
Submitted: October 24, 2017 at 9:58:39 PM
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Yin
Student Number: 10142307
Email: michael.yin@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Code: PHGY 210
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Instructor's Name: Dr. Christopher Ward
Code: BCHM 316
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,
I am appealing for an Extension of Incomplete Grade in PHGY 210 and a Late Drop of BCHM 316. The reason for which I am appealing for the above requests is because of psychological challenges I faced over the course of the Winter 2017 semester. I initially deferred my PHGY 210 exam with supporting documentation and I had spoken to Dr. Ward regarding when I would be required to complete the exam and he claimed I had to write the exam by December 2017. I believed, at the time, that three weeks to study for one exam (BCHM 316) would be sufficient.
Unfortunately, this was not the case as I had an anxiety attack the night before the exam and subsequently deferred the BCHM 316 final as well. At this point, I had been attending counselling appointments since the end of March as I was feeling depressed and lacked the energy to perform regular day-to-day activities. I believe that these appointments helped; however, my psychological state was still fragile heading into the April final exams. Over the summer, I took time off school and given that I do not live in Kingston, I was not able to complete either of the two exams I had.
This brings us to the second week of September when I was meant to complete my BCHM 316 final. Once again, I had four weeks to study for one exam but on the night before the exam and the day of the exam, I had anxiety attacks again. The attack on the day of the exam was in front of Denise Cameron, the Biochemistry course coordinator. I was visibly distraught and I outlined how this was affecting me again as it did in April. She was understanding and said she could not let me take the exam while also advising me to go to counselling again.
As I speak to my counsellor and outline what is happening in my life, I have started to pick up patterns that were not apparent to me prior to February 2017. Speaking about BCHM 316 and the time I spent studying, I know that I retain little information in that course for some reason. When I study for it, I feel physically upset and anxious making it substantially more difficult. To have studied twice for three weeks for one exam and not be able to write the exam, it is extremely frustrating and discouraging. I understand that this course is difficult; however, I have faced several other difficult courses and performed well.
For this reason, I believe that dropping BCHM 316 is in the best interest for my mental health. In terms of the PHGY 210 exam, I believe there was a miscommunication between the professor and I regarding when I would be able to take the exam. I would still like to attempt the final exam during this 2017-2018 academic calendar as I do not feel that an F is representative of my academic abilities.
I am a motivated and driven student who has hit a speed bump in my third year and it has carried into my fourth year. Academically, I consider myself to be strong student and person capable of taking on any challenge whether it be in school or out of school. I am working on coping with my anxiety and depression with the help of my counsellor (Lindsay Dupuis) and focusing on my well-being. This will be a long process that is important for my self-development and cannot be rushed. This semester, I am taking a lighter course load and taking courses that I enjoy ensuring that repeat occurrences of anxiety and frustration will not occur because of school.
I thank you for taking the time to read this appeal. I hope this clarifies what I have gone through over the past six months and what I am currently going through. As I said before, I take pride in working hard and performing well in school and in life. The issues I have faced are not representative of who I am but they are also new challenges that I must face and I am willing to do so with any support I get along the way. Please let me know if you have any questions or require any further information.
Regards,
Michael Yin
10142307
I am appealing for an Extension of Incomplete Grade in PHGY 210 and a Late Drop of BCHM 316. The reason for which I am appealing for the above requests is because of psychological challenges I faced over the course of the Winter 2017 semester. I initially deferred my PHGY 210 exam with supporting documentation and I had spoken to Dr. Ward regarding when I would be required to complete the exam and he claimed I had to write the exam by December 2017. I believed, at the time, that three weeks to study for one exam (BCHM 316) would be sufficient.
Unfortunately, this was not the case as I had an anxiety attack the night before the exam and subsequently deferred the BCHM 316 final as well. At this point, I had been attending counselling appointments since the end of March as I was feeling depressed and lacked the energy to perform regular day-to-day activities. I believe that these appointments helped; however, my psychological state was still fragile heading into the April final exams. Over the summer, I took time off school and given that I do not live in Kingston, I was not able to complete either of the two exams I had.
This brings us to the second week of September when I was meant to complete my BCHM 316 final. Once again, I had four weeks to study for one exam but on the night before the exam and the day of the exam, I had anxiety attacks again. The attack on the day of the exam was in front of Denise Cameron, the Biochemistry course coordinator. I was visibly distraught and I outlined how this was affecting me again as it did in April. She was understanding and said she could not let me take the exam while also advising me to go to counselling again.
As I speak to my counsellor and outline what is happening in my life, I have started to pick up patterns that were not apparent to me prior to February 2017. Speaking about BCHM 316 and the time I spent studying, I know that I retain little information in that course for some reason. When I study for it, I feel physically upset and anxious making it substantially more difficult. To have studied twice for three weeks for one exam and not be able to write the exam, it is extremely frustrating and discouraging. I understand that this course is difficult; however, I have faced several other difficult courses and performed well.
For this reason, I believe that dropping BCHM 316 is in the best interest for my mental health. In terms of the PHGY 210 exam, I believe there was a miscommunication between the professor and I regarding when I would be able to take the exam. I would still like to attempt the final exam during this 2017-2018 academic calendar as I do not feel that an F is representative of my academic abilities.
I am a motivated and driven student who has hit a speed bump in my third year and it has carried into my fourth year. Academically, I consider myself to be strong student and person capable of taking on any challenge whether it be in school or out of school. I am working on coping with my anxiety and depression with the help of my counsellor (Lindsay Dupuis) and focusing on my well-being. This will be a long process that is important for my self-development and cannot be rushed. This semester, I am taking a lighter course load and taking courses that I enjoy ensuring that repeat occurrences of anxiety and frustration will not occur because of school.
I thank you for taking the time to read this appeal. I hope this clarifies what I have gone through over the past six months and what I am currently going through. As I said before, I take pride in working hard and performing well in school and in life. The issues I have faced are not representative of who I am but they are also new challenges that I must face and I am willing to do so with any support I get along the way. Please let me know if you have any questions or require any further information.
Regards,
Michael Yin
10142307
Documentation
Professional Letter: Documentation from Lindsay Dupuis.pdf