Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dean and Academic Appeals Office,


My name is Blythe Schmelke-Haagenson and I am writing this letter to appeal my failed courses during my first year at Queen's University. I am in the Concurrent Education program, with my major undeclared at the moment. Earlier this week, I got an email saying that I am on academic probation next year. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to explain my extenuating circumstances that resulted in lower grades than I needed this past year.


In no way am I trying to make excuses about my poor grades, but instead I am just explaining what a major cause in the decline of my grades was.

During early November 2021, while doing homework with a friend in the common room of McNeill House, I suffered from a grand-mal seizure. I was taken to the E.R at Kingston General Hospital and received as much help as I could there. My dad flew out from Vancouver to Toronto and caught a train to come to Kingston. I stayed with him for a week while I recovered. During this time, it was incredibly difficult for me to focus, do schoolwork, or even do anything since recovery from seizures is tiring. It took me a few weeks at least to recover from this one, especially since I was so far away from home.


On February 4th, 2022, while home since we were online, I suffered from another grand-mal seizure in my home. Again, I was taken to Vancouver General Hospital ER, and they helped me as much as they could. This took a toll on my academics because I was not only online, but it was the second one I had suffered from in the last few months, so it took an intense toll on my mental health.


Later this year, in late February 2022, I was diagnosed with epilepsy because I have had 3 seizures in my life, in the last 3 years. This diagnosis came to a shock to my family and I, and it wasn't an easy diagnosis to handle. It took a toll on my mental health because I didn't know how my life would look after this.


You may be wondering why I did so well in my PROF 110 class. That class is not as much about assessments and quizzes, but it is mainly discussion based and reflections, which was easier for me.


I am doing a lot better now and have done lots of things that will make me prepared for next year. I met with an academic advisor about this appeal, and she helped me with even more things that I can do for next year. Since the last seizure I have suffered in February, I am now on medication. I take medication every day for this, so hopefully it won??t happen again. I have also been to many doctors to see if there is anything else I can do, and they have told me to take it easy the next day if I do something strenuous or stressful the day before. I am currently setting up a therapist that I will go to about once per month. My family and friends are incredibly supportive of me, and I know I will always have them around no matter what, so that has not been a problem. I am currently looking at and setting up accommodations for next year, as well as having an advisor throughout the year to help me when I am declining, rather than ignoring it and hoping that it will go away.


I have learned that I need to put school as my number two priority, right underneath my health. This past year I did get quite stressed out at points, which did not help my mental health. I have learned that I need to rest, sleep, eat well and make sure I am healthy. I also will be more on top of school next year, rather than doing things at the last minute.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this,

Blythe Schmelke-Haagenson