Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,

Over the past two years there have been many extenuating circumstances that highly affected my academic performance. In 2013/ 2014 I was dealing with mental health problems but I did not realize and I did not seek help. I assumed that my feelings and thoughts were common for first years in university. Further into the winter, my mental health and mental stability got very fragile. I ended up isolating myself from all my friends and any support I had and thought sleep was the only option for getting better. I was very alone, had no motivation or hope for myself. At that time, I was prepared to drop out of school; but as the weather got better so did my mood and my motivation boosted again. I had made a new plan to get everything together try to start a fresh. When 2014/2015 school year started I was happy going to class and doing the work but as the weather worsened so did my mood, mental state and motivation. I was struggling really hard every day to simply get out of bed. It was on Christmas Eve when I found out that my father was walking out on us. He decided that he no longer needed this family and no longer wanted to be with us, so he sold the house and planned for a new life. This left myself, my younger sister and my mother with no home and a lot of financial issues. After hearing the news, I lost control; not only did my mental state worsen but behavioral problems started too. I would experience anger/ temper tantrums where I would black out and become very physical as well as scream, shout and cry. It was then that I decided I needed to see a doctor. When I returned to school, I made a few appointments to see counsellors and doctors. I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affected Disorder. I am now prescribed medication that I take daily and I can feel my mental health and mood lighten with the weather. Because of all the family problems and Seasonal Affect Disorder, my academic performance was highly affected and hindered. I was constantly traveling between Toronto and Kingston. I was also scared/ worried/ embarrassed to leave my house or talk to anyone because I did not want to lose control of my mental state or behavioural problems.
Once again winter is over and I my motivation is up again. I would really love to stay at Queen's University and keep studying. I understand that over the past two years my academics have been affected by Seasonal Affect Disorder and this past year a lot of family and financial issues, but I am willing to take the next step. I do not want another school year to be affected by any of this so I am seeing and will continue to see a counselor and doctor who will help me take preventative measures for next year. I have many options ranging from exercise to medication to support from others that will help me stay focused and motivated. I also plan on taking summer courses to help me get started for the 2015/2016 school year.

Sincerely,
Alexa Chen
10106206
13agc1@queensu.ca