Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 4088
Submitted: January 5, 2018 at 3:25:02 AM
First Name: Michaela
Last Name: Yard
Student Number: 20024766
Email: 16my2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSCH
Plan: Kinesiology
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: KNPE 251
Term: Fall
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. William Nelson
Code: ANAT 315
Term: Fall
Year: 2017
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am appealing to the Faculty of Arts and Science to drop ANAT 315 (Fall, 2017) and to request a CR in KNPE 251 (Fall, 2017).
Just prior to the beginning of the fall term an initial event took place that threatened my personal security and negatively impacted my mental health causing anxiety and significant stress. As a result, I struggled with insomnia and had difficulty focusing on my studies. Since this is unusual for me, I sought out external help through Queens Counselling to help me through this. Although I made inquiries, I was not able to speak to a counsellor until mid-October due to high demand. From the end of August until around the end of October I struggled with my sleeping patterns and I found it very difficult to focus on my work. As a result of these problems, I fell behind in most of my classes. Through counselling I focused on coping skills and used many psychotherapy techniques to help with the effects of my mental health issues. Although the counselling helped, I continued to struggle with mental health issues throughout the term. Nearing the end of term I started to feel more like myself again coping better with my issues and was well motivated to finish off the semester strong and meet my class commitments. Unfortunately, two weeks before the end of the semester I found myself in constant pain. After receiving medical attention and testing at the Queens health center, I was encouraged to go into Emergency at Hotel Dieu. There I was diagnosed with a medical condition and was given multiple antibiotics and pain management instructions. The antibiotics made me very sick, including nausea, low energy, and an acid stomach. I was taking high amounts of Advil and Tylenol to help cope with the pain for three weeks post my initial diagnosis. This all took place during the final week of classes and through the initial part of the exam period during which I had multiple exams and final projects due accounting for a large portion my final grade. I started this semester with high hopes and a lot of motivation. Despite struggling with mental health throughout the semester I was still hopeful that I would be able to finish the semester strong. Being sick at the end of the semester and into exams in addition to the time lost dealing with my mental health issues did not allow me to perform up to my capabilities nor is reflective of my ability as a student.
I am appealing to drop ANAT 315. Please note that I did not receive a large portion of my grades until after I wrote the final exam and if I understood how poorly I was doing I would have applied to drop the course and not written the exam in the first place. ANAT 315 is an important course to me and my future plans. I will be retaking the course next Fall semester regardless of whether or not I passed the course or not. I believe that not only does the grade I received in this class not reflect my abilities, but I feel it is an important class for me to master as it will aid me in my future studies. I am applying for the CR in KNPE 251. I believe that due to mental health and medical issues, I was not able to give the desired amount of time and commitment to the course and underperformed. I focused mainly on my other three courses, but still continued to try my best despite outside events distracting me from my studies. Please note that I plan to continue to strengthen my mental health and to ensure that I am back on the right path have decided to drop two courses in second semester to help ensure a successful term. I plan to take a course during the summer break to help keep pace. I will continue with regular counselling throughout the semester and summer as it is extremely beneficial for me with assisting in working through my mental health issues. Since being home in Vancouver over the Christmas break, I have been meeting with my family doctor to find solutions to help improve my medical issues. I am optimistic that these steps will allow for me to show my true potential in both second semester and my future years of academic study.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for considering my request.
Michaela Yard
Just prior to the beginning of the fall term an initial event took place that threatened my personal security and negatively impacted my mental health causing anxiety and significant stress. As a result, I struggled with insomnia and had difficulty focusing on my studies. Since this is unusual for me, I sought out external help through Queens Counselling to help me through this. Although I made inquiries, I was not able to speak to a counsellor until mid-October due to high demand. From the end of August until around the end of October I struggled with my sleeping patterns and I found it very difficult to focus on my work. As a result of these problems, I fell behind in most of my classes. Through counselling I focused on coping skills and used many psychotherapy techniques to help with the effects of my mental health issues. Although the counselling helped, I continued to struggle with mental health issues throughout the term. Nearing the end of term I started to feel more like myself again coping better with my issues and was well motivated to finish off the semester strong and meet my class commitments. Unfortunately, two weeks before the end of the semester I found myself in constant pain. After receiving medical attention and testing at the Queens health center, I was encouraged to go into Emergency at Hotel Dieu. There I was diagnosed with a medical condition and was given multiple antibiotics and pain management instructions. The antibiotics made me very sick, including nausea, low energy, and an acid stomach. I was taking high amounts of Advil and Tylenol to help cope with the pain for three weeks post my initial diagnosis. This all took place during the final week of classes and through the initial part of the exam period during which I had multiple exams and final projects due accounting for a large portion my final grade. I started this semester with high hopes and a lot of motivation. Despite struggling with mental health throughout the semester I was still hopeful that I would be able to finish the semester strong. Being sick at the end of the semester and into exams in addition to the time lost dealing with my mental health issues did not allow me to perform up to my capabilities nor is reflective of my ability as a student.
I am appealing to drop ANAT 315. Please note that I did not receive a large portion of my grades until after I wrote the final exam and if I understood how poorly I was doing I would have applied to drop the course and not written the exam in the first place. ANAT 315 is an important course to me and my future plans. I will be retaking the course next Fall semester regardless of whether or not I passed the course or not. I believe that not only does the grade I received in this class not reflect my abilities, but I feel it is an important class for me to master as it will aid me in my future studies. I am applying for the CR in KNPE 251. I believe that due to mental health and medical issues, I was not able to give the desired amount of time and commitment to the course and underperformed. I focused mainly on my other three courses, but still continued to try my best despite outside events distracting me from my studies. Please note that I plan to continue to strengthen my mental health and to ensure that I am back on the right path have decided to drop two courses in second semester to help ensure a successful term. I plan to take a course during the summer break to help keep pace. I will continue with regular counselling throughout the semester and summer as it is extremely beneficial for me with assisting in working through my mental health issues. Since being home in Vancouver over the Christmas break, I have been meeting with my family doctor to find solutions to help improve my medical issues. I am optimistic that these steps will allow for me to show my true potential in both second semester and my future years of academic study.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for considering my request.
Michaela Yard
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Letter from Counsellor and Physician