Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to appeal the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of one year. Throughout my time in high school, I have suffered from dysthymia, also commonly referred to as chronic depression, a condition I have always repressed and conditioned myself to ignore. However, the circumstances of my academic year of 2017/2018 in university, as well as the shocking change of setting, which qualifies as a major life stressor, have made the major depression episodes I suffer from and symptoms of dysthymia that are triggered from much significantly stressful life changes grow systematically during the past year. Symptoms of the disorder also include feelings of worthlessness, insomnia, loss of enjoyment, loss of energy and recurrent thoughts of suicide, all of which have affected the way I lived and carried myself. Such factors have had an important impact on my academic success this year, which had always been above average before my episodes began occurring in a more frequent manner.

The overly anxious combination of high academic pressure, sudden changes in environment, lack of social group, and being away from family and homesickness worsened my depression and stripped me from my regular capacities. The symptoms became life-debilitating and taxing on my both my physical and mental health. I understand that it is completely common for students to feel alienated and difficult to adjust to university, but because I was already trying to manage a healthy lifestyle under such undiagnosed condition, the 2017/2018 school year became a tremendously triggering experience. Dysthymia is not a condition I will take lightly anymore, as I have learnt the extent of its gravity and the extreme toll it can take on both my physical health and mental stability, which as a result, seriously affects my academic performance.

Coming forward to friends and family about such a serious matter has proven to be a very difficult thing to do, as hopelessness is a recurring feeling in those affected with this disorder. However, I have managed to open up to close friends and am taking steps to talk to my family physician about a possible rehabilitation plan and further steps I can take in order to get this disorder under control.

In an attempt to redeem my poor academic achievements, I have taken on two courses during the Spring term, one of which is a year long course. Almost halfway through the term, I can say with confidence that my hard work and slow mental retablissement have proven to be so far successful. Unfortunately, on May 29th 2018, I have suffered a grave car accident that has slowed my learning outcomes a bit. However, this event has made me realize how much more I can accomplish and I will not let it reflect poorly on my spring studies. As part of a plan to deal with my mental situation in a more responsible manner, I have prepared and will follow through steps into being able to afford bi-weekly meetings with a medical professional, as that has been proven to help others in my situation. I also plan to take a lighter course load than I had both fall and winter terms, making up for 6 credits during the given spring terms.

Once again I am very disappointed in my academic performance but I wholeheartedly know that that is a not a truthful representation of my potential. I have never handled such severe penalty before and will make full use of a second chance, should you grant me one.

Thank you very much for all your time and consideration,

Sarah Bourdon