Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

My name is Katherine Bubalo and I am writing this appealing to drop a course after the deadline for summer 2020, fall 2020, winter 2021, summer 2021 and fall 2021.

To preface my extenuating circumstances, I feel it is important to share that in my second year (2018/19) at Queen's university, I began struggling with my mental health and was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I was learning how to balance my mental health and school and was doing quite well - despite my first failed class (ITLN 111). At the beginning of 2020, my mental health took a turn. I fell into a depressive episode where I experienced extreme low moods. During this time, I isolated myself completely as I felt an extreme amount of shame and did not reach out for any form of help until mid 2021. I lost interest in everything I once enjoyed, became irritable, withdrew socially, struggled to take care of myself, lost my appetite, and suffered from sleep disturbances which ultimately led to my inability to succeed in my academics. In addition to unknowingly suffering from depression, the pandemic hit, further deteriorating my condition. I returned home and felt burdened with stress pertaining to Covid, family finances, my living situation, absence of my support system (friends), and online learning. At this point, I cannot recall much as my anxiety and depression would cause me to suffer from 'blackout periods' in which I disassociated from reality, staying in bed for weeks at a time, causing the beginning of my poor grades. Going into fall 2020, I decided going back to Kingston would be the best for me, and I felt hopeful that I could get back on track. This did not turn out to be true as I continued to suffer from symptoms listed above, further impacting my schoolwork and function.

I continued into winter 2021 semester due to embarrassment and fear of telling my guardian of my academic standing and that I needed to take a leave of absence. Watching my friends graduate without me was very challenging and it was around the time I consulted my doctor and he diagnosed me with depression. It took me several months to find the correct dosage of my SSRIs and learn ways to control my depression. Despite my struggles, things were looking up, so I wanted to enrol in summer 2021 and fall 2021 classes to make up for what I had failed but pulled the trigger too early.

After each and every one of these semesters, I should have taken a step back from academics, but I must emphasize that being a student was the only thing that I could define myself by. I felt if I lost this form of identity - being a Queen's student - I would keep spiralling and lose the only part of myself I still half-recognized. I felt so much shame and wanted to redeem myself, but instead, kept digging myself a deeper hole and worsening my self-esteem.

This medical circumstance, exacerbated by the pandemic, was beyond my control and therefore I do not believe these academic years reflect my capabilities as I value my education, my degree, and my spot at Queen's University. I can confidently say that I am ready to enrol back in class and have the means to do so successfully. I am going to move forward by continuing to see my therapist once a week, taking my medication and adhering to a strict daily routine. In addition, I've met with an academic advisor in my department and have put together a realistic academic plan including a reduced course load for the first term.

Thank you for taking the time to read over this appeal. I hope this letter conveys my extenuating circumstances and how they affected my academics and prevented me from appealing within the deadline.