Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 656
Submitted: January 8, 2015 at 5:27:52 PM
First Name: Xiao Zhou
Last Name: Huang
Student Number: 10148098
Email: 14xzh@queensu.ca
Degree Program: B.Sc.
Plan: Biology
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHYS117
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that my status for PHYS117 be changed from not graded to course dropped for the term of Fall, 2014.
My reason for dropping the course is a result of my ongoing depression which began right before the end of my senior high school year. After my poorly attempted suicide, I was exempted from my final exams. That is why I was able to meet the minimal conditional average required to be admitted to Queen's. Against better judgement, I stubbornly took a full load of five courses. As a result of depression, I had trouble focusing during lectures. Consequently, I had no choice but to learn only from the text and videos when I was not having a meltdown. This further put me behind in nearly all readings and weekly practice problems. Often times I would stay cooped up in my room having an emotional train wreck. I struggled to stay on top of my studies.
To deal with my problems, I sought help from the Health, Counselling and Disability Services beginning at the end of September. There, I met Mental Health Nurse Kelly Mannen who helped to guide me through my struggle with family issues and sexual orientation. We had appointments weekly or biweekly depending on the circumstances. Against her suggestion, I refused to lighten my workload because of my cultural background and values. In addition, I was prescribed antidepressants from Dr. Sharma for about one and a half months. I improved gradually.
Before the exams, I found it difficult to focus on studying for all five courses while dealing with emotional problems. Physics was my weakest subject and I worried that it would affect my performance on math. Math is a prerequisite for majoring in Biology while physics is optional. Therefore I dropped the course.
While it is clear from the midterm results that I did fairly well in all four subjects, I feel that the outcome would differ had I chosen to retain PHYS117.
If my appeal was granted, I would consider retaking PHYS117 during the summer should I choose to major in Biochemistry or Life Sciences.
While I have significantly improved, my depression lingers and it is possible that I might experience a setback again. Thus, I have decided to remain taking only four courses for the winter term in order to give more time to self-management. In addition, I will continue to seek psychological help from the Health, Counselling and Disability Services for as long as I feel necessary. I am also likely to join a support group if I can overcome my fear of being around large crowds.
In terms of my future academic plans here at Queen's University, my course load for upper years will be decided depending on the level of my condition. Worst case scenario, I will complete my science degree in five years rather than four should the need to do so arise.
Thank you for taking your time to review my request for appeal.
Sincerely,
Xiao Zhou (Rebecca) Huang
I am appealing the Faculty's decision that my status for PHYS117 be changed from not graded to course dropped for the term of Fall, 2014.
My reason for dropping the course is a result of my ongoing depression which began right before the end of my senior high school year. After my poorly attempted suicide, I was exempted from my final exams. That is why I was able to meet the minimal conditional average required to be admitted to Queen's. Against better judgement, I stubbornly took a full load of five courses. As a result of depression, I had trouble focusing during lectures. Consequently, I had no choice but to learn only from the text and videos when I was not having a meltdown. This further put me behind in nearly all readings and weekly practice problems. Often times I would stay cooped up in my room having an emotional train wreck. I struggled to stay on top of my studies.
To deal with my problems, I sought help from the Health, Counselling and Disability Services beginning at the end of September. There, I met Mental Health Nurse Kelly Mannen who helped to guide me through my struggle with family issues and sexual orientation. We had appointments weekly or biweekly depending on the circumstances. Against her suggestion, I refused to lighten my workload because of my cultural background and values. In addition, I was prescribed antidepressants from Dr. Sharma for about one and a half months. I improved gradually.
Before the exams, I found it difficult to focus on studying for all five courses while dealing with emotional problems. Physics was my weakest subject and I worried that it would affect my performance on math. Math is a prerequisite for majoring in Biology while physics is optional. Therefore I dropped the course.
While it is clear from the midterm results that I did fairly well in all four subjects, I feel that the outcome would differ had I chosen to retain PHYS117.
If my appeal was granted, I would consider retaking PHYS117 during the summer should I choose to major in Biochemistry or Life Sciences.
While I have significantly improved, my depression lingers and it is possible that I might experience a setback again. Thus, I have decided to remain taking only four courses for the winter term in order to give more time to self-management. In addition, I will continue to seek psychological help from the Health, Counselling and Disability Services for as long as I feel necessary. I am also likely to join a support group if I can overcome my fear of being around large crowds.
In terms of my future academic plans here at Queen's University, my course load for upper years will be decided depending on the level of my condition. Worst case scenario, I will complete my science degree in five years rather than four should the need to do so arise.
Thank you for taking your time to review my request for appeal.
Sincerely,
Xiao Zhou (Rebecca) Huang
Documentation
Professional Letter: Rebecca Huang Appeal.pdf