Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

I am appealing for:

Late drop of CISC 110 (Fall, 2017)

Credit Standing PSYC 100 (Fall and Winter, 2017-18)

Credit Standing ARTH 120 (Fall and Winter, 2017-18)

Late drop for CLST 203 (Winter, 2019)

After speaking with counsellors and advisors over the past year, I spoke openly about my mental health and career path goals, it came to my attention only early February that appealing for circumstances beyond my control were an option for my situation. I have taken initiative to work together with my advisors to help me complete this appeal.

Fall 2017 was my first semester of university. After carrying a significant work load and extracurriculars throughout high school, I dove right into university eager to complete my academics to the best of my abilities. About half way through my first semester, I began to have severe panic attacks. I was overwhelmed with my academics, while trying to maintain a healthy social life, extracurriculars, and physical health. I was oblivious and naive to stop and take care of my mental health. In late November, my roommate who I grew up with, father passed away. I was in the middle of midterms when she had to packed up and went to see him on his last days. After he passed, I received a call. I was unable to go home because I had many assignments to complete and I was not aware of the options available to me to take that time to morn with one of my best friends. I was alone in my dorm room and I completely isolated myself. I was drowning in my anxiety and all while trying to maintain good grades. I had my final exam in CISC110, which after seeking help with my professor and TA, I genuinely did not feel I was properly prepared. I tried my best to maintain and push through my mid-year finals for ARTH 120 and PSYC 100. Coming back to start a new semester in Winter 2018, I noticed my anxiety worsened. After I went home for reading week in February 2018, I spoke with my family doctor about my severe panic attacks. She diagnosed me with ¿¿Anxiety Panic Disorder¿ and prescribed me medications. After coming back, the medications did not sit well with me. I was throwing up every few nights and I felt a weight on my shoulders which lead me to a very depressed phase. I would stay in bed all day, for a least two weeks. It was not until I put my mind to it and figured out how to reach out to counsellors. I had back to back appointments for another couple weeks. I got my accommodations in March 2018 which I did not have access to in first semester and for most of my second semester. This helped for my finals for ARTH 120 and PSYC 100 which I managed to just pass. My ITLN courses were not difficult for me because I am Italian. My Italian teacher was also extremely accommodating and helped me a lot through my difficult time. The work load and access to one-on-one help in my other courses was much more difficult. Even so, I pushed a routine for myself and pushed through my last exam season of my first year.

I planned for second year and realized that I needed I lighter course load. I took initiative to drop the courses that were not working for me. In Winter 2019, my work load seemed to be going well for me. CLST 203 did not have a demanding work load but each test every few weeks is worth a significant amount of your grade. The first test I wrote I had fainted two days prior and spent the entire day in the hospital. I was on my own when it happened, and my anxiety spiked. I wrote my test and did not pass. I met with my teacher and he said there is still an ample amount of opportunity to improve my grade. I better prepared for my second test. While I began to prepare for my third test, my mom had lost her job. My family life has a significant impact on me. I have a sister with special needs and after my dad lost his job a few years ago, now his focus is to take care of her. With my anxiety, I put a significant amount of pressure on myself to help my parents when I can. I am independent, so when my mom had lost her job, I was anxious finically, causing severe attacks back to back. I put focus on my job and was scared to face my anxiety. I got myself to reach out to my advisor and she decided it was best to file a late drop.

With this appeal, I can be accepted into my major Film and Media, the program that made me choose Queen¿¿s in the first place. I worked hard to get here, and I will continue especially being accepted into a program where I know I will flourish. My future plan is to take more initiative and to better seek help when I need it. I have the tendency to put my mental health to the side until it really starts to affect me, and I realize it has been affecting my academics. I have asked for help and will continue asking for help from my counsellors and advisors. I am better aware of my resources. After talking with my family my last visit home, they have helped me understand where we are finically and helped lessen my anxiety surrounding it. I am going to stick to taking a lighter course load even if that means extending my time here at Queen¿¿s. I am head strong and determined to do my absolute best.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Victoria Pitoscia

20068443

17vp@queensu.ca