Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

I am appealing to drop CHEM 221(Fall,2018), CHEM 222(Fall,2018), CLST 205(Fall,2018), and MATH 112(Winter,2019).

My request follows a distressing second year at Queens University. I was always excited to attend Queens as it has always been my hope and dream and I was equally excited to begin my second year and continue my goal of becoming a Chemistry Teacher.

Unfortunately, my second year did not go as I had planned. Day by day as I commenced my year, I felt less enthusiastic and motivated in school. It got to the point where it was a struggle to not only get out of bed but to do basic tasks like cooking, cleaning, dressing and at times, even eating. Leading up to the drop deadline, I dropped a course to lessen my workload as I thought this could rejuvenate my energy for school. Sadly, this did not help as, I had imagined. I felt the lowest that I have ever been in my life. I sought after help by going to see Counsellors at the Student Wellness Services. While they gave me some great advice, I did not take it into consideration, as I was in denial and I was not helping myself. This led me to failing CHEM 221, CHEM 222 and barely passing CLST 205. Going home for winter break was a much-needed relief, at the time. I did not feel great about the results of my Fall 2018 course. My parents encouraged me to continue onto the second semester with a more positive outlook.

Going into the Winter 2019 semester, I was energized again, but it did not last long. After a couple of weeks of being back at Queens, the same feelings of despair, depression and moods of incompetence set in. Moods that I attempted to move on from and tried to ignore but reappeared again and again. From about the end of January 2019 to the end of March 2019, I was seeking help from family, friends and Student Wellness Counsellors. While I tried my best to get out of these feelings of hopelessness, I could not. I was not totally honest with myself on how I was feeling and not honest with everyone around me. I was so consumed with negativity, that my normal positive, outgoing self was lost. During this time, I reduced my workload to two courses, as I thought I could somehow come out of this low point, but basically, I gave up on myself. It was not until April 2019 where with the continued support of Student Wellness Counsellors, my family doctor and my family, I began to regain my self-confidence, feelings of assurance and self-respect. Unfortunately, it was too late in the year to succeed in my courses but for the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again.

It has been just over a year now and a lot has changed. With the encouragement of Counsellors, I decided that to switch my Minor in Geography to my Major. I am so grateful that I did, as I have never felt so enthusiastic about my schooling and courses. As a result, this past year was my most successful year at Queens. While these feelings of confidence have been great, there have been times where I have not felt as positive and more disheartened. When this occurs, I take the advice and guidance of the Student Wellness Counsellors, my family doctor and family. I have been a lot more transparent and open with everyone, and I have realized this allows me to move forward so much more than when I tried to go through these depressive times alone. This support has helped drive me to continue my goal of becoming a Teacher and has allowed me to confront any problems I am facing with positivity. I look forward to my future at Queens University and I anticipate another successful upcoming school year.




Sincerely,

Marco Tobio