Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Diana Ingham
20024622
August 14th, 2018

Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to appeal to drop PSYC 100 from my academic record. This request is the decision arrived at after many discussions with the Professor Norris as well as an academic and accommodations advisor for PSYC100 summer course. Dr. Norris recommended that I drop the course and appeal based on my inability to complete certain assignments over the duration of the course.
Upon returning home this past May, I felt that I had started to recover and would be able to continue my education over the summer. Despite the recommendation of my therapist and my parents, I decided to pursue PSYC 100 due to pressure to make up for other courses dropped during previous school years, in an attempt to not extend my education. However, after a period of time I started to manifest significant anxiety and depressive symptoms and could not complete certain requirements of the class. The specific event that led to the downward spiral leading to incomplete assignments started with my forgetting to take my medication. I suppose with how well I felt my life was going taking my medication in order to reduce my symptoms was no longer a priority or seemed necessary. After several days, I no longer had energy or motivation as well as lacked focus. My symptoms manifested during a discussion in which I was able to post an initial post however my symptoms stopped me from participating in the discussion beyond that. From that point on my participation in assignments was very sporadic and the level of work very inconsistent. However, during this time I was in constant contact with my professor and she helped make the decision to drop the course before its completion instead of discovering that I did not live up to my potential once again and apply for an appeal after the fact.
I am very tenacious in my resolve to successfully complete my degree. If I completely withdraw from studying I know I will feel like a failure and this will further add to my anxiety in relation to any future schoolwork. My parents are supportive of this plan of action and I am now starting to work with a new therapist who is helping me develop strong coping skills with my debilitating anxiety.
I am hoping that you will work with me as I try to overcome my personal difficulties. In the past, I did not share my internal struggle and this further alienated me from teachers, family and friends and my behavior was often misunderstood. I now understand that it is best to share my difficulties with those people, and others such as yourself, who can help me overcome my anxiety. Writing this letter has not been easy for me but I know that it is a necessary part of my moving forward and working to resolve my issues.
I am hoping you will understand.

Kind Regards,
Diana Ingham