Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing this letter to you today in a request to drop my CHEM 213 and CHEM 223 grades as well as appeal for standing credit with my Math 111 and CHEM 212 marks. In the summer before the most recent school year (April 2021), I had an accident that left me with a severe injury resulting in a need for surgery on my ACL, which I am still recovering. Before the accident, I would describe myself as a very active person: I liked to go running every morning and went to the gym at least four days a week. However, after the surgery, I was bedridden for weeks. I was prohibited from performing my usual physical activity, given the lack of exercise and mobility causing my mental health to decline. I saw a therapist once a week to combat this.
When my second year of university started, I moved to Kingston, away from the close-knit rural community in BC where I grew up. I left my family and moved to a city where I knew almost no one. This transition was very hard on me, and with the restricted mobility, I was isolated. Most of my classes were online in both the first and second semesters due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This style of 'self-taught' learning did not work for me, and I continued to spiral.
I was highly stressed and anxious. The isolation that I felt, mixed with the academic pressure I was under, destroyed my mental health. I am a Chemistry major, and Chemistry is an incredibly demanding degree as it requires a significant amount of time and effort to excel truly. I was not in the correct mental state to dedicate the necessary time and resources to my studies. I am a Loran scholar recipient, and with the honour of that title comes immense pressure and requirements. This extra pressure added to my stress and increased my anxiety.
The expectations placed on me demand excellence, and I could not produce excellence. The fear of having my scholarship revoked is a constant in my life, and if it is, I would not be able to continue my studies at Queens due to financial reasons. I worked and lived within the same four walls, and every day was a challenge. I love chemistry, it's a subject that I have always been very passionate about, and I want to continue majoring in it. I do not want my mental health issues to be reflected on my GPA for the rest of my academic life. My therapist and I have created a plan to help deal with my mental health issues and prevent any potential crises in the future. My current GPA is not an accurate reflection of who I am as a student or human being. I have a passion for learning and a strong desire to succeed in this field. If given a chance, I will show you that I can do better than this.

I appreciate your consideration,
Ayden Harrison