Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Teresa Park (10105144) Appeal

Dear Associate Dean,
I am appealing to drop the current fall semester. The classes include Heath 101, Psychology 100, and Gender Studies 120. Since the beginning of the semester, I have found myself struggling with my depression and anxiety that seemed to have worsened within my unfamiliar surroundings. Going to my classes became almost impossible, as I was incapable to even find the will to eat. Realizing how crippling my metal condition was to myself physically and academically, I reached out to La Salle health. There, my Doctor Dr.Beemerman saw me continuously for my mental and physical health, as it began to decline due to my inability to take care of myself. There, she prescribed an antidepressant, Paxil to help with my anxiety and depression. During this time I also sought out help from various counselling services including my residence councilor Freeman Woolnough, La Salle counselling, and off campus resources such as crisis phone lines. Even as my anxiety began to slowly subside, I found it difficult living alone and found it best to be at home. Due to this, I made very frequent visits back home to Toronto where I had the support of my family. This became almost weekly as staying in Kingston did not help with my personal progress; in late October, I took an entire week off as I was too overwhelmed. The frequent trips often left me very exhausted. When I was home, though I tried to keep up in my classes, I quickly fell behind due to physical issues that even sent me to the heart clinic. Even after seeking help from campus resources like learning strategies councilors, I was unable to keep up. Realizing that I was unable to handle my academics with my personal issues, I decided to drop two of my courses in late October with hope of being able to complete the remaining courses. Even with the lightened load, my (addiction) health made it difficult to concentrate, and the medication was giving me side effects that only set me back further. Right before I stopped my medication on around November 14th 2014, the side effects left me barely able to get out of bed. On November 14th, I once again arrived in Toronto. Due to very unfortunate events, I was sent to the ER three times that weekend where I was unable to leave. There I was seen by psychiatrists who then talked to me and discharged me. The last psychiatrist and crisis worker who saw me at the ER felt that the best thing for me to do currently was to take the semester off, which I agreed with. They felt me staying in school under these circumstances was only slowing my progress.
For the winter semester, to ensure I do not fall behind and become too overwhelmed, I will be taking a lighter course load. I will also attempt to become even more involved within the Queen¿¿s community so I do not feel alone. In January, I have an appointment for my health issues at Hotel Dieu that definitely help with my success semester. I will also continue to seek-out assistance from campus resources.