Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Good afternoon.

My name is Nikiefer Buhot, and I am a 5th year politics student trying to complete my honours degree. I write this appeal letter to request the dropping of POLS 406 past the March 2, 2018 deadline. To preface this letter, I would like to note that this year (my 5th year of studies) has not gone according to plan. I had originally intended to complete my four 4th-year courses over the entirety of this academic year (two each term), but a number of barriers (both physical and psychological) prevented me from completing any in the fall term. I decided to try and complete all my 12.0 Units from 400 level courses in the winter 2018 term, so I could graduate afterwards. Unfortunately, I overestimated myself, and could not keep up with the workload very early in the term. For this reason, I planned to drop POLS 406 (the course that was most challenging for me) so that I could focus on my other three 4th-year courses. Within the franticness of this term, I had I had honestly believed I dropped 406 in early February. I recognize my fault in not confirming with the politics department that the course had indeed been dropped, but I haven't been thinking clearly for some months now. Consequently, I just noticed today that I am still enrolled in the course.

I cannot see a way for me to physically salvage the course, as it is a seminar course (25 participation and I have not attended) and requires the submission of a comparative term paper (worth 40 of the course grade), which requires months of planning/research. This is especially true considering the demands of my other three 4th-year courses are already pushing me to my limits.

I hope to go to graduate school eventually, and so achieving good grades in my other 4th year courses is extremely important to me. I think I would be incapable of doing well in any course if I remain in POLS 406. Because at this point in the term, I cannot imagine having to address the demands of another course (especially a seminar).

I have never suffered from anxiety before, but this term has presented new challenges and pressures that ultimately caught me off guard. I overestimated my ability to complete a full course-load after a few terms of relatively ease. To address the anxiety that has recently plagued me, I have accepted the advice of another professor and arranged an appointment with a wellness counsellor. The source of the anxiety currently is the thought of having to stay-in and salvage POLS 406. I truthfully believe that at this point in the term, I cannot feasibly a participate in POLS 406.

I acknowledge that it has been almost a week since the drop class deadline, but I assure you would have dropped it within the official time had I realized I was still in the course; this term has simply put me out of sorts. Please accept this letter as an appeal to drop POLS 406.

Thank you for your time

Nikiefer Buhot