Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing the for the late drop of the PHAR 380 and NSCI 323 courses for the winter semester.

In early March, I tested positive for covid-19 and began experiencing severe symptoms. My symptoms were more severe and lasted longer than normal due to pre-existing conditions, namely asthma. My covid-19 symptoms included fever, chills, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, runny nose and headaches, among others. The symptoms were severe enough to greatly impact my productivity and ability to function academically, although I decided I did not need to be hospitalized. Soon after symptom onset, I submitted an academic appeal for a three-day extension in all my courses since I found myself unable to keep up with deadlines. However, my symptoms carried on for several weeks and the brief extension was not sufficient for me to catch up with course material. As a result, I was unable to complete several important assignments and quizzes, greatly affecting my grades.

In addition, I began to feel overwhelmed and helpless in trying to keep up with my workload, as my covid-19 symptoms persisted. I have a history with anxiety and depression, which has affected my academic success in the past. Over time, I have improved my ability to cope with my mental health problems through therapy. However, the recent situation with covid-19 seemed to trigger a relapse. Even after my symptoms finally went away, my anxiety and depression continued to affect my productivity and focus. Also, I had difficulty reaching out for help during this time due to my mental health problems.

If my appeal is granted, I will make several changes to help with my studies. First, I plan on retaking one of the courses over the summer. I feel that focusing on one course will eliminate the stress of a full-course load and allow me to focus on dealing with mental health issues. I plan on reaching out to my family doctor for possible changes in medication, suggestions for coping with anxiety and depression, and whether therapy is needed. I will work on my study skills and make any necessary lifestyle changes so that I am better equipped to deal with mental health problems. Also, I will reach out to queen's student wellness services if I experience mental health problems in the future. With the help of these changes, I will be able to cope better with anxiety and depression and improve my academic performance.

I can provide a doctor's note if needed. If any additional documents are required, please let me know.