Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Good afternoon associate dean (studies),





I'm writing to you because I received my academic standing email revealing my GPA was under 0.70 for the school year and I would have to withdraw from my program. As I understand queens university has expectations students must meet and you are simply just following these guidelines, I would like to inform you why my academics were so poor this school year.



In November 2021, my grandfather passed away suddenly, someone I hold very close to my heart. I have never met a kinder or wiser soul in my life. I have never lost someone so significant before, so when this happened it felt like my world was flipped upside down. He was the man I looked up to and I was proud to call him my best friend, his primary mission in life was to put a smile on people's faces, and I can say quite comfortably he achieved that goal. When he passed away during the school year I completely shut down, I felt lost, I didn't leave my residence rooms for weeks on end. I was overwhelmed with this pit in my stomach that just wouldn't go away. While I was grieving the death of my grandfather I couldn't focus or succeed in my academics, I would sit down to do work and my brain would go blank, I was frustrated and angry at the timing of all of this. My roommate would sometimes have to spoon-feed me because I wouldn't eat. In the second semester, I traveled home frequently to be with my family in these tough times which led me to be absent from school. I have always been a good student and have always tried my best, unfortunately, this year something tragic happened within my family which led me to focus my attention elsewhere. I am just now coming to terms with the fact that he's not here anymore, even though he will always be watching over me. I know he is disappointed in the way I finished my first year of university, but I also know he believes I will do better next year and get back on my feet.



I am Distraught that I ended my first year at queen's university so poorly, a school I have been dreaming to go to my whole life. I am asking you from the bottom of my heart to consider waiving this requirement to withdraw. The Zara Sheridan who attended Queens University this year was not the real me, she was in pain and grieving someone very close to her. I would hate to put another burden like this on my family as we are just gluing ourselves back together. I can promise you next year and for the rest of my time at Queens University I will put my all into my studies as I want my grandfather to be proud of my success. I understand I am just another student to you, But if you have lost someone extremely close to you in your life, you would understand how this school year was so difficult for me especially since it was my first time being away from home. I've never felt deeper pain than my time at school this year due to my grandfather's death. I want to apologize for not meeting the standards of Queens University, but I truly believe if you give me a second chance, I will prove to you I am worthy of attending this school that I respect so much. I appreciate the time you have taken today to read this; I truly hope you find it in your heart to consider a second chance for me here at Queens.