Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Due to a combination of mental and physical health complications, as well as extenuating family circumstances I will not be able to complete my year at Queens. In January I fell extremely ill (physically). At this time, I was unable to attend classes. In February I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Soon after the diagnosis I was taken to the Hotel Due Hospital after collapsing in my house in Kingston. During my recovery, an immediate family member came forth about a horrific experience involving a childhood babysitter, as well as the fact that at this time they are ready to peruse legal action, the trial is still taking place. This breaks my heart, and it makes it hard to think sometimes. Over February break my older sibling attempted to take their own life. Our family was devastated, and it was terrifying. They are currently in rehab, and I worry a lot. After coming back from February break, I was nervous. I stopped wanting to go out with friends on the weekends. It found it hard to sleep at night, so I didn¿¿t. I lost my appetite, I stopped eating and started losing weight. I didn¿¿t go to class because I didn¿¿t want to see any one and eventually didn¿¿t go outside because I didn¿¿t want anyone to see me. I tried to keep up with my school from my house, but I just couldn¿¿t. I¿¿m constantly mentally and physically exhausted due to an immense lack of sleep and an over drive of anxiety driven negative thoughts and feelings. It took me a long time to admit to myself that it wasn¿¿t just something I would ¿get over¿¿ but rather something that needed to be addressed. At this time, I have spoken with a health care professional through the school and have come to the decision to withdraw from the semester, travel home and begin putting in the work towards rebuilding both my mental and physical health. Documentation has already been provided in the form of a letter, submitted to the Arts and Science department by the head of Student Wellness. Thank you for taking the time to read my appeal, I am truly grateful for the opportunities that Queen's has given me.