Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Sukhmani Sandhu
20252823
Faculty of Arts and Science (BA-PSYC)

Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am appealing to drop the following courses from the Fall 2021 term: PSYC 236, DEVS 100A, and DEVS 220. Due to extenuating circumstances related to my disability, I decided that the best choice for me and my overall well-being is to withdraw from both Fall and Winter term courses and enrol back into classes in the 2022/2023 year.

Near the end of the Fall 2021 semester, I had a flare-up related to my disability which negatively impacted my academic performance. The academic accommodations put into place were helpful, but this situation made it hard for me to complete these courses. This personal event started near the last couple of weeks before the Fall term exams and is still going on currently. At first, I did try to push through it and finish the term but the severity of the situation was too overwhelming for me. After making appointments with my academic advisor and the different services the school provided, I decided that this appeal is the best decision for me. Some specific impacts this had on my academic performance within the three courses was unable to focus, severe depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and isolation. I actively would get into contact with my professors and advisor for help, but the situation did not resolve.

I have evaluated the requirements for the degree I am enrolled in through the Queen??s University website and SOLUS. For a successful return to studies in the 2022/2023 year, I will strengthen my coping skills, reach out to different forms of support, and create an academic plan that will satisfy my degree requirements. For academic demands, I will seek advice from my advisor, faculty members, professors, teaching assistants, and peer tutors. I will look for both academic and well-being support services within the city of Kingston and Queen??s University. To maintain my academic interest, I will enrol in a lighter course load that is manageable for me and explore career pathways to have more clarity of my end goal. To improve my academic skills and work habits, I will regularly stay in touch with my professors/teaching assistants and advisors. I will also attend the academic workshops Queen??s University provides to strengthen my skills and meet others. For my personal circumstances, I am attending therapy regularly which has helped me with my situation. There is a letter attached to this application from my therapist for additional support in the decision-making process. I will continue to work with my therapist and psychiatrist, as well as look for support groups. Through the support groups and attending activities within Kingston, it will help my situation for the better. These steps to success were not present this year as my situation made it very difficult to reach out and search for services. However, knowing that there is a future that I can work towards is giving me some hope. I believe with this time off and the courses being dropped, I will be able to focus on my mental health and well-being, while knowing I have a second chance to complete these courses in the future.