Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

I am appealing to the faculty¿¿s decision to withdraw for one year from the Arts and Science program at Queen¿¿s University. As well, I request that my Winter and Spring term grades be expunged from my record due to extenuating circumstances.

In my first year at Queen¿¿s University, I encountered multiple challenges that I believe were very much extenuating circumstances that affected my academic performance in a negative way. Because of the events that have transpired in the past year, I went to see a psychologist, Dr. Jillian Roberts. She diagnosed me with the disorder called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and that explains the struggles that I encountered this past academic year. It also sheds light on the fact that most especially in this past year I struggled with executive function (my abilities to organize and plan ahead), and those deficits affected my academics in a huge way. If you are wondering why I didn¿¿t drop the course before the designated dropped date, the reason is: this is all new for me. I have never failed at anything such as this before. I certainly didn¿¿t know that I had learning deficiencies and I believed that I could recover my grades as I had always done in the past. I didn¿¿t want to give up.

Because of my recent discoveries regarding ADHD and problems with executive function, I have already made certain changes to my life that will help me down the road¿not just academically but in everyday life as well. As of right now, I am meeting with a coach from Creating Positive Futures (Academic Life Coaching & ADHD Coaching for Teens) once a week to help me with my academics and to improve my executive function ability. Also, I will be working with Dr. Jillian Roberts throughout the summer who has a lot of experience in this area and no doubt will be a huge help.

If I am able to return to Queen¿¿s in September 2019, I hope on meeting with Dan Valley, Head Coach, Women¿¿s Rugby, once a week because he was a solid aid and support in the past Spring semester. I plan on having three tutoring sessions a week and I will continue to meet with the people mentioned above in the previous paragraph. Please see my academic plan below for full details.

You may not be aware, but I am also a varsity athlete at Queen¿¿s. In my discussions with Dr. Roberts, she has made it clear that activity and exercise are a crucial coping skill for people with ADHD. My intention is to continue playing for the Varsity team as this supports and provides me with the much needed structure that is essential to my success in the future. My inclusion in Queen¿¿s Varsity Soccer is also a key factor in my strong and stable mental health. I belong there.

I truly believe as I learn to understand my new diagnosis of ADHD, I can overcome the challenges that I have ahead. I might even tap deeper into a few gifts and strengths within myself that were previously unacknowledged, like my creativity and flexibility, and my ability to cope amidst significant personal barriers. With the support of the people listed above and the support of my parents and myself, I can turn it around academically and drastically improve in the above areas identified.

I know people don¿¿t usually get second chances in these types of situations but I believe that if given one, I will make the most out of it.

Sincerely,
Charlie Purcell