Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am submitting an appeal of waive to address classes from the 2016-2017 school year. My hope is to explain how those marks were impaired by my re-occurring extenuating circumstances. I have dealt with anxiety, depression and severe bulimia since 2013. I came to Queen¿¿s as a science student in the class of 2020, with the understanding I was stable enough to endure first year without a relapse. The confidence I felt was due to my large support team of family, doctors, therapists and hard work in rehabilitation centers. However, although I had those coping tools they could not withstand the circumstances beyond my control. In September (2016) I became very ill. I discovered that due to my bulimia my oral method of contraception failed to work, and I was pregnant. I decided to proceed by terminating the pregnancy, but the emotional trauma the abortion induced a relapse. Which proceeded to cause detrimental effects on my grades. I recognize that I am asking well after the appeal. That being said, I believe that my misunderstanding of the appeal process combined with my denial (a symptom of my mental illness) inhibited me from submitting at the applicable time.

Over the duration of the summer I attempted to improve my grades. However, at that time I was dishonest with myself as to how severe my relapse was and did poorly. In August (2017) I went to a Psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD and prescribed me with Vyvanse. Immediately, my mood and eating disorder drastically improved. The medication allowed for me to process my thoughts before engaging in symptomatic behaviors. This newfound sense of control decreased my anxiety. The absence of anxiety stopped my routine cycle of coping with bulimia, which would inevitably proceed into a phase of depression. This result convinced me to return to Queen¿¿s as an undeclared student. I attained initial success from my increased motivation and clarity. Howbeit, there were negative symptoms from the medication as well. The symptom I struggled with the most was insomnia. There were some instances where I did not sleep for three days- sending me in a state of psychosis. At first, I convinced myself the lack of sleep was beneficial. I felt it gave me optimal amounts of study-time; facilitating me in obtaining the marks necessary to compensate for my first year. It wasn¿¿t long until this lifestyle of prioritizing school over my health, proved to be more detrimental than helpful. Although I believe my reasoning to be justifiable to some extent, I want to reiterate that this is not an inevitable pattern. I admit with complete honesty, that I continue to struggle with my mental health. That being said, I simultaneously continue to improve. I have worked, and currently work extremely hard to attain healthy and consistent coping mechanisms. I genuinely believe that at this stage in my recovery my tools are strong enough to resist re-occurring relapse.
I recognize the valid argument of redundancy, considering I have been introduced to these coping strategies in the past. However, I feel as though the aforementioned reasons were beyond my learnt coping techniques control.

I understand that there will have to be repercussions that I cannot erase, and that this is a long process. Notwithstanding, I refuse to give up. I am taking initiative by familiarizing myself with services offered at Queen¿¿s such as student wellness, and academic advising. Since embracing these facilities I am more aware of important deadlines, academic options and a have a more structured support system. They made me aware of online academic options, which I find are more suitable to my lifestyle and reduce stress during exams. I am also in constant communication with my therapist, and consistently observe my medication with my psychiatrist.

I find it difficult summarizing the accumulative issues which I am the resultant of today, especially when I struggle with the characteristic of being concise. I have delayed this final submission in the hopes of finding words to perfectly articulate my situation. I now realize that those expectations were not realistic. Although I feel a constant weight from the stress caused by the uncertainty of this appeal, all I can do is focus on the positive momentum I have commenced. I refuse to let my failures in first year depict my future, and am motivated more than ever to thrive here at Queen¿¿s. I plan to hold on to that determination. However I feel that if this appeal is granted, it will help me to push forward in the process of striving to be the student my mental illness convinced me I was incapable of being. Thank you for your kindness, consideration and for taking the time to read my request.

Best,
Rachel Samson