Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

I am writing this letter of appeal to convert my course grades of Winter 2021, Fall 2021, and Winter 2022, to NGs. Since the end of 2019, I have continually struggled with a mental health condition that has been commonplace in my family for generations. It turned me into the kind of person I swore I would never be, and it pushed me away from family, friends, and university. As I was in the early stages of my mental health struggles, my father and brother, who both continue to intensely struggle with the same issue, vastly deteriorated in their condition. This period of 2020-2021 was the darkest year of my family's life. In an effort to not place more stress on my already unbelievably distressed family, I hid my own struggles from them, as well as my friends. As the world shut down due to the pandemic, it gave me an excuse to shut myself away and I grew more and more isolated. As my struggles worsened, I lied to everyone I have ever cared about. I felt paralyzed, unable to properly deal with my issues. The simultaneous weight of my family's struggles, my own, and my foolish refusal to reach out for support meant that I was mentally unable to function as a healthy person and as a student. I continued to enroll in classes in an attempt to maintain the appearance of being fine, and this only led me further down a path of difficulty. I could not focus, felt no enjoyment, was irritable and generally did not take care of myself. The academic life I had known no longer existed. As certain expectations of me were held, I feigned that I was meeting them, but had to continually lie to myself and my family. In the Winter 2022 semester, I only enrolled in one course. It was an attempt to stabilize myself, but again, without seeking support from those around me. Despite taking only the single course, I continued to struggle, and it was in February 2022 that I reached my breaking point. I finally began talking to Roger Davidson at Student Wellness Services, who eventually convinced me to speak to a therapist and to be honest with my family. I owe him so much. I greatly wish to return to Queen??s and finish my undergraduate degree, primarily due to his support. I am still seeing a therapist and have found temporary employment to help heal and rebuild my identity. I plan on taking a year break from schooling and return to Queen??s in the fall of 2023. I will continue to regularly meet with my therapist, and on my return, restart my meetings with Roger Davidson and Student Wellness. These grades are not reflective of the standards I have for myself, nor of my respect for the professors and institution that I am grateful to be a part of. Lastly, I am thankful for this consideration of my appeal.

Sincerely,

Max McDonald