Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies):

The reason for my letter is to appeal a drop late of PSYC 100.

Before accepting my offer to Queen's I was told 2 things; 1) these years are the best years so cherish every moment from every up to every down, and 2) These years are meant to find yourself, so don't assume that what you came into school for will be the degree you leave with.. It will be better As I enter my third year at Queen's, I can wholeheartedly say that I have experienced both of these things. In my first year, I faced many obstacles, battling my own mental and emotional health. During that period of time, my academic performance was also at an all-time low, however as second-year approached, I wanted to improve. After completing my second year I was able to see and feel the difference.
Due to my poor academic standing in my first year, not only had I fallen behind on credits but also needed to raise my GPA. Even after completing my second year and declaring a major, I found myself falling behind and made the decision to live in Kingston through the summer. It was my goal to make the summer a turning point for my academics, but also for myself as an adult. This past summer consisted of three classes and two jobs, keeping me focused and always busy doing something. Whether it was a shift a work or an assignment that was due, I did my absolute best to keep on top of everything, however, living in Kingston took a toll on my overall health. For the next four months of summer, I was living on my own without any form/type of support system. No friends, and no family either. I was dealing with emotional, mental, social and financial stresses on my own with no one to confide in. I began to feel isolated and lonely from my friends and family. My daily schedule consisted of going to work and coming home, doing school work and assignments, eating and sleeping. Nonetheless, these were the consequences I knew I would have to own up to because they were my own choices.
In the midst of it all I was able to return home approximately once a month for a short visit and during those visits, I spent all my time with my family. Shortly after visiting home, I was informed that my uncle was hospitalized due to a hemorrhage of the brain. This immediately started to worry me and I found myself in an unstable state of mind. As the days went by, I tried to keep up, however, with work and school it was not an easy task. Roughly three weeks later in July, he passed away and I was given only one phone call. I took a short leave of absence and returned home. He had already been buried and I returned to Kingston without asking any further questions. The following days I found myself in bed trying to cope on my own. I reached out to 2/3 of my profs as there were assignments due and I had not completed them.
While dealing with all of this I was enrolled in PSYC 100, COMM 231 and HLTH 230. It was not until after the loss of my uncle when I sought out any kind of help. For a period of time, it was just me denying the truth and willing to accept that I needed to speak to a counselor. My entire life I grew up denying these types of facilities and finally, I chose to do it. It was not till my prof had suggested I reach out to an academic counselor that I had considered it
I truly do believe that I have what it takes to do well in this class, however, due to the extenuating circumstances I was unable to. There is nothing I want more than to do well and thrive in all of my classes, however, because PSYC is one of my weaker spots It was very easy to fall off track and with everything going on at home and around me I felt incapable of doing any better. I hope that taking the time to read this appeal was worthwhile and also hope that you will give me another opportunity to prove what I am truly capable of.

Sincerely,
Dil Ullah (20023652)