Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for one year. I received the letter of withdrawing with utmost distress, and I understand the circumstance under which the decision was made.

In my first year, my low GPA of 0.58 failed to meet the requirements of the University, achieving at least 0.7 GPA. I must say I was very disappointed when I saw the grade and take full responsibility for myself. I admit having a difficult time last year since that was the first year for my University life I tried to push myself harder to have a satisfactory grade but I gave myself too much pressure that I did not realize. In the first semester, I worked hard that I had good feedback on quiz or assignments, but I failed two courses because I did the bad job on the final exams, and at that time I wavered. It was a blow for me, and I start to afraid to take final exams. In the second semester, I joined the bounce back group to learn some skills to prepare the final exams that I think the terrible grades are because of my wrong learning skills. I started to write the learning plans and a schedule for the final review and staying on it a month before the final exams. At the day before the first final exam in the second semester, I was suddenly confused about whether I should go to the exam or not and if I went to the final and the results go bad what should I do. Then I gave up to write the final exams which is the reason why my GPA is so low. In the first semester I did not figure out the seriousness of the problem, and that causes I repeated the mistakes or even worse in the second semester, which is my negligence.

For a better study life in the future, I met an adviser and went to the student wellness service office to gets helps hoping I could overcome the psychological barrier of doing final exams. Instead of making excuses for my actions, I would like to propose a possible plan and agreement. To let you know that I am serious about my education, I request that you keep this plan and evaluate me a year from now.

I propose the following solutions to return to Queens University. The precise plan of the courses is important that one adviser recommend me taking a lighter course load so that I planned to take two or three courses in the winter term to see if my plan is working. A one year of Academic Probation where I am required to work with a tutor and an academic adviser and have regular meetings with them. I will provide an action planning and professional development strategy for each semester. On the first week of the school for each semester, I will list all courses and desired grades. I aim to achieve at least a 1.6 GPA. To realizing the pressure that I give myself I will participate in physical activities like basketball on the weekends. A teacher explained that one needs balance to function effectively in life and their career. Physical activity acts as a stress reliever in creating hormones that make people feel good.

The complete change will not happen in a day, yet I am determined to do better in school. I ask that you help me to succeed by giving me another chance. I promise to comply with the terms I have proposed and address unexpected issues. I start to understand and face the problem inside myself, and I hope that you know my drive and need to return to school. I appreciate your time and consideration in reading this letter. I look forward to hearing from you and receive possible suggestions you might have for me. I am eager to learn and move forward with my education at Queens. Thank you again.