Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 4710
Submitted: June 11, 2018 at 7:46:53 PM
First Name: Kristen
Last Name: Stewart
Student Number: 20018688
Email: 15kas8@queensu.ca
Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts - GEN/MIN
Plan: SOCY
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am writing to you today to appeal respectfully to allow me to return to complete my 3 year B.A. at Queen's in September 2018. After difficult emotional extenuating personal circumstances in the late summer of 2017, and the difficulty I had in coping, my grades in 2017/18 suffered significantly. However, with the recent assistance of my family and doctor, and the passage of time to reflect, I have now resolved my personal issue and feel confident in returning to Queen's and focusing on my studies. I am determined to reclaim my life and succeed at completing my degree. It is my hope you will please grant my appeal to help turn my very emotional personal experience around, so I can move on with my life in a forward direction and a positive way.
I found myself unexpectedly pregnant in late July 2017.
I did not seek counseling at the time. At the time, my decision felt very clear, but after a deep feeling of sadness set in, and as abortion can be a controversial topic, I was scared I could be judged by others, and kept to myself. I tried to cope with my experience and emotions on my own. By keeping my voice to myself, I forced myself to go into a period of concealing my sadness and getting on with my life. I thought I could handle it myself. I did not tell either of my parents. I did not tell any of my close friends. I made a decision to have an abortion, which took place in Toronto at Women's Care Clinic. I went alone and thought once it was over, I would be able to move forward and forget about it. I was wrong. I was unable to work or study through my emotional response after my abortion, I was confused, depressed, had anxiety and was re-living my experience through flashbacks. It was constantly resurfacing and I did not know how to handle it. Using denial and repression, I tried to push down my intolerable emotions surrounding this. Instead, this just made things worse and I suffered in other areas.
My grades in general prior to this circumstance in my life were on an upward trend. While on academic probation, I feel I have learned what my personal strengths are, and have in general made better selections of courses that reflect my interests and abilities. Entrepreneurship in particular has been of great interest to me, and my grades in those courses reflect that. My social science courses have also been interesting and my grades were improving. Math and science are not my strengths. However, immediately following my personal issue, all my grades suffered significantly. I was unable to focus or concentrate, lacked energy and motivation. I was depressed, was in a fog, and did not realize what was happening at the time. I was trying to step back into a normal life and forget about it. But my motivation and ability to study was compromised. The course that was most affected by my inability to focus as a result of my personal circumstance was statistics. I could not face the stress of concentrating on a subject that was so difficult for me. In hindsight, I should have dropped that course in second term. It seems obvious now, however, at the time, I really could not think clearly, and consequently failed the course, which has led me to this second difficult situation.
I informed my doctor of my circumstance in August 2017. She was supportive, but I did not have any other appointments with her as she is located in Aurora, and I was back at school again. I finally told my Mom in May 2018, and that has become the turning point for me. We have sought help and resources together, and I now feel much stronger and focused knowing I have the emotional support of someone who loves me. Being home at this time is also a comfort. While I have been prescribed and have access to anti-depressants, I am not taking them at the moment as I feel well. I also have access to counselling services. I feel relieved I am not keeping this sadness to myself, I have someone to talk to, and I understand to reach out when I need to. I feel that through the summer, I will have the time to refocus from this negative experience. I am enjoying my summer employment and my confidence and energy is building again. I also believe with a smart academic plan, focused on my interests and abilities, I can get back on track to achieve my goal of graduating from Queen's.
Thank you for your attention. I hope I can return to finish my degree.
Sincerely,
Kristen Stewart
I found myself unexpectedly pregnant in late July 2017.
I did not seek counseling at the time. At the time, my decision felt very clear, but after a deep feeling of sadness set in, and as abortion can be a controversial topic, I was scared I could be judged by others, and kept to myself. I tried to cope with my experience and emotions on my own. By keeping my voice to myself, I forced myself to go into a period of concealing my sadness and getting on with my life. I thought I could handle it myself. I did not tell either of my parents. I did not tell any of my close friends. I made a decision to have an abortion, which took place in Toronto at Women's Care Clinic. I went alone and thought once it was over, I would be able to move forward and forget about it. I was wrong. I was unable to work or study through my emotional response after my abortion, I was confused, depressed, had anxiety and was re-living my experience through flashbacks. It was constantly resurfacing and I did not know how to handle it. Using denial and repression, I tried to push down my intolerable emotions surrounding this. Instead, this just made things worse and I suffered in other areas.
My grades in general prior to this circumstance in my life were on an upward trend. While on academic probation, I feel I have learned what my personal strengths are, and have in general made better selections of courses that reflect my interests and abilities. Entrepreneurship in particular has been of great interest to me, and my grades in those courses reflect that. My social science courses have also been interesting and my grades were improving. Math and science are not my strengths. However, immediately following my personal issue, all my grades suffered significantly. I was unable to focus or concentrate, lacked energy and motivation. I was depressed, was in a fog, and did not realize what was happening at the time. I was trying to step back into a normal life and forget about it. But my motivation and ability to study was compromised. The course that was most affected by my inability to focus as a result of my personal circumstance was statistics. I could not face the stress of concentrating on a subject that was so difficult for me. In hindsight, I should have dropped that course in second term. It seems obvious now, however, at the time, I really could not think clearly, and consequently failed the course, which has led me to this second difficult situation.
I informed my doctor of my circumstance in August 2017. She was supportive, but I did not have any other appointments with her as she is located in Aurora, and I was back at school again. I finally told my Mom in May 2018, and that has become the turning point for me. We have sought help and resources together, and I now feel much stronger and focused knowing I have the emotional support of someone who loves me. Being home at this time is also a comfort. While I have been prescribed and have access to anti-depressants, I am not taking them at the moment as I feel well. I also have access to counselling services. I feel relieved I am not keeping this sadness to myself, I have someone to talk to, and I understand to reach out when I need to. I feel that through the summer, I will have the time to refocus from this negative experience. I am enjoying my summer employment and my confidence and energy is building again. I also believe with a smart academic plan, focused on my interests and abilities, I can get back on track to achieve my goal of graduating from Queen's.
Thank you for your attention. I hope I can return to finish my degree.
Sincerely,
Kristen Stewart
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Course of Study
- I have designed my academic plan going forward to reflect my strengths and interests. I am also being realistic about regaining my academic confidence without rushing, in order to achieve success. I am most interested in, and best at, essay and assignment based social science and business courses. Therefore, for the upcoming academic terms, my course selection is as follows:
Fall Term: Theories of Deviance and Social Control (SOCY275), Sociology of Health and Illness (SOCY200), and Sociology of Information and Communication Technology (SOCY284), Foundations of Entrepreneurship(ENIN200).
Winter Term: Social Statistics (SOCY210), Theorizing Contemporary Society(SOCY227), Race and Racialization(SOCY235), Media and Popular Culture(FILM240).
I have met all prerequisites for these courses and therefore feel confident in my selections. I have selected these courses to complete the Sociology component of my program, including a repeat course (Social Statistics and Theorizing Contemporary Society), leaving general electives for the remaining credits. I feel comfortable that I can achieve success repeating these courses as I have a better idea of what to expect in the class, as well as studying with a reduced course load. Once I have finished this, I will have completed all my required courses for the Sociology part of my degree, and can then take electives I am interested the following summer and year to finish my degree.
Full Time vs Part Time
- I believe staying as a full-time student with a reduced course load for the first term is most manageable for me in returning to Queen's and achieving success. Although a life circumstance and undiagnosed depression was the cause of my academic issues, now resolved, I wish to ease back with manageable stress, and gain back my confidence with positive results. I feel it is wiser for me to ease back in with 4 credits in first term, to have success. When all goes well, I will then decide on second term and whether to continue on a reduced basis or increase my number of courses. This pace will lead me to complete my requirements by December 2019 the earliest or Spring 2020 the latest.
My Strategies for Success
- My lack of success in 2017/18 was a direct result of undiagnosed depression due to an abortion. I have included a doctor's note. This was a very difficult time for me. I struggled thinking it would get better, and I did not seek help until it was too late. I did not know what type of reaction I would get. I have now reached out and received the support of my parents and doctor. In addition, I have counselling resources available to me and depression medication. I will access Student Academic Success Services in order to ensure I manage my workload effectively and prepare properly for evaluations. I will consult more frequently with the teaching assistants and professors which I have developed a greater comfort level with already in 2018. I will make a calendar/daily study routine to stay on top of my work. I will also see a councillor to help with my well-being. I will get a tutor for my Social Statistics course to ensure I am fully understanding and on top of the work. I understand better that there are people to help when needed.
Evaluating my Success
- I will access Academic Advisors to help me should I need to make adjustments to my plan.
I feel I have done the work to reflect on my past year and come up with solutions to ensure a successful 2018/19.
- I have designed my academic plan going forward to reflect my strengths and interests. I am also being realistic about regaining my academic confidence without rushing, in order to achieve success. I am most interested in, and best at, essay and assignment based social science and business courses. Therefore, for the upcoming academic terms, my course selection is as follows:
Fall Term: Theories of Deviance and Social Control (SOCY275), Sociology of Health and Illness (SOCY200), and Sociology of Information and Communication Technology (SOCY284), Foundations of Entrepreneurship(ENIN200).
Winter Term: Social Statistics (SOCY210), Theorizing Contemporary Society(SOCY227), Race and Racialization(SOCY235), Media and Popular Culture(FILM240).
I have met all prerequisites for these courses and therefore feel confident in my selections. I have selected these courses to complete the Sociology component of my program, including a repeat course (Social Statistics and Theorizing Contemporary Society), leaving general electives for the remaining credits. I feel comfortable that I can achieve success repeating these courses as I have a better idea of what to expect in the class, as well as studying with a reduced course load. Once I have finished this, I will have completed all my required courses for the Sociology part of my degree, and can then take electives I am interested the following summer and year to finish my degree.
Full Time vs Part Time
- I believe staying as a full-time student with a reduced course load for the first term is most manageable for me in returning to Queen's and achieving success. Although a life circumstance and undiagnosed depression was the cause of my academic issues, now resolved, I wish to ease back with manageable stress, and gain back my confidence with positive results. I feel it is wiser for me to ease back in with 4 credits in first term, to have success. When all goes well, I will then decide on second term and whether to continue on a reduced basis or increase my number of courses. This pace will lead me to complete my requirements by December 2019 the earliest or Spring 2020 the latest.
My Strategies for Success
- My lack of success in 2017/18 was a direct result of undiagnosed depression due to an abortion. I have included a doctor's note. This was a very difficult time for me. I struggled thinking it would get better, and I did not seek help until it was too late. I did not know what type of reaction I would get. I have now reached out and received the support of my parents and doctor. In addition, I have counselling resources available to me and depression medication. I will access Student Academic Success Services in order to ensure I manage my workload effectively and prepare properly for evaluations. I will consult more frequently with the teaching assistants and professors which I have developed a greater comfort level with already in 2018. I will make a calendar/daily study routine to stay on top of my work. I will also see a councillor to help with my well-being. I will get a tutor for my Social Statistics course to ensure I am fully understanding and on top of the work. I understand better that there are people to help when needed.
Evaluating my Success
- I will access Academic Advisors to help me should I need to make adjustments to my plan.
I feel I have done the work to reflect on my past year and come up with solutions to ensure a successful 2018/19.
Documentation
Professional Letter: image1-0.jpeg
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted June 11, 2018 at 7:46:53 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Prepared for Review | Carrie Roosenmaalen | 2018-06-12 9:34:07 AM | |
| status | N/A | Prepared for Review | In Review | Spring Forsberg | 2018-06-13 3:56:04 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Spring Forsberg | 2018-06-25 4:32:14 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jill Atkinson, Ph.D. | Spring Forsberg | 2018-06-25 4:32:14 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Spring Forsberg | 2018-06-25 4:32:59 PM |