Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Late Drop Appeal Letter


To: The Associate Dean of the faculty of Arts and Sciences

My name is Taryn Kemp, I am a third year Queens University student, and I
am appealing to drop 3 courses: POLS 211 (Fall, 2017), POLS 241 (Fall, 2017), and POLS 243 (Fall, 2017).

I would like to appeal on the basis of extenuating circumstances with
respect to my mental health. I have been struggling with 3 mental illnesses which make it increasingly difficult to adequately complete each courses objectives.
I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (2014) which
inhibits me from attending tutorial and reaching out for help from my T.A's before issues escalated beyond repair. I often feel as if I cannot focus on what is being discussed in tutorial as I am simply concentrating on others and how anything I say or do may be perceived as inadequate in comparison to my peers. Often times I would write emails to my T.A's but become overwhelmed by the possibility of a hostile response as my anxiety causes exaggerated and unrealistic thoughts.
I also struggle with depression and have been writing my assignments over and over but I have not felt as though they were good enough or what was desired, creating feelings of self-doubt and inability. Last year, I took a large hit in regards to my GPA as I ceased my depression (and anxiety) medication. I found it increasingly difficult to even get out of bed.
Lastly, I have been personally struggling with anorexia (since 2009), which
does not directly affect my academic performance but often affects my general energy levels and magnifies the symptoms of my aforementioned illnesses.

However, this year I was prescribed a new SSRI which assisted in my class attendance but not in many other aspects (such as my irrational and intrusive thoughts). I truly believed I could complete this year with better grades although now I understand I need to seek professional help in order to genuinely address my mental illnesses and find coping mechanisms.

In terms of the future of my education, I plan to take only 3 courses next semester (Winter 2018) and summer off to focus on my mental health by taking steps such as returning to therapy, reassessing my medication, and ensuring I am in the best possible state of mind in order to focus on my education. I intend to work diligently to completing my bachelors degree and retake the classes I have dropped and increase my GPA.

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

Taryn Kemp