Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

My name is Kristen Kim, and I am appealing to drop GNDS 335 (Fall 2019) as well as MUSC 358 (Fall 2019). I am a Bachelor of Music Student/Concurrent Education.

I am appealing both of these courses, as I unfortunately missed the original drop deadline, and sadly failed both of these courses. I¿¿ve struggled with mental illness for the past 4+ years, and although it was manageable during my 1st-3rd years of school (through seeing a therapist regularly, and beginning treatments with a General Practitioner on campus), during the Fall 2019 Academic Term, my mental health became so bad that I felt I was unable to leave my home (failing to maintain my job, as well as attend classes). During August 2019 a family matter suddenly came into my life, and unfortunately with my already difficult mental health struggles, this family matter created a situation where I felt as though I was being crushed and home was the only safe place to be. I was struggling to complete everyday tasks, and found it near impossible to be present in any sort of social (higher populated) environments (such as lectures and labs).

At the beginning of the term, I had been enrolled in 5 courses. Two out of five of these courses were dropped before the drop deadline, and this was done so I could lessen the load of my course work in hopes that this would help me succeed in achieving some credits this semester. Unfortunately however, even with some assignments completed I did not have enough marks to pass GNDS335 & MUSC358.

I am currently a 4th Year student, and plan on taking a full 5th year to complete my undergraduate degree. I require a specific number of any MUSC300+ course, and an elective of any subject (what GNDS335 was intended to be). I will be taking 1-2 elective courses over the summer, as well as will be taking another MUSC300+ course during the Fall 2020 term.

As of this term (Winter 2020), my personal circumstances have become manageable, and I am confident that I can make a successful return to my studies. I have had numerous appointments with a counsellor from Student Wellness Services, which has helped me greatly in moving past trauma and how to better manage my mental health. I have also been regularly seeing a General Practitioner at SWS, and over the past 6 months we have finally found a medication/dosage that assists me greatly in being able to complete everyday tasks (such as going to class and being able to complete assignments on time). I have also seen an academic advisor with QSAS very recently, and we have made a plan for success, as well as accommodations for exams.

Overall, in order to ensure academic success during the upcoming terms I¿¿ve sat down with the QSAS advisor, as well as the academic advisor with the Faculty of Education to come up with a plan. I¿¿ve strategically placed certain courses to be done either this term (Winter 2020) or to wait and take them during the 2020/2021 academic year (based on level of difficulty/workload), in order to balance the amount of work needed to be done and make sure the term isn¿¿t too heavy. I will also be continuing to see the counsellor and General Practitioner at SWS to ensure that I am taking full advantage of the health resources Queen¿¿s has to offer. I have also already arranged for a tutor (a student colleague of mine in the program) who has agreed to tutor me in specific courses I know will be challenging next year.

I thank you so much for your time and consideration of this appeal.

Best,

Kristen Kim