Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 933
Submitted: April 12, 2015 at 8:23:39 PM
First Name: Ian
Last Name: McKenzie
Student Number: 4537534
Email: 0irm@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: ENGL
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PSYC 271
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I have been mentally unwell for the entire term. I did not partake in PSYC 271 at all. I purchased the textbook but never unwrapped it. I am therefore asking for the course to be dropped and for a refund.
To avoid any confusion: I am aware that my status is officially that of an on-campus undergraduate. When I wanted to re-enroll to take online Psychology courses, my BAH-ENGL program was reactivated. I actually appreciate this and have no objection. I just want it to be clear to you that I live in Toronto and only visited campus on the one occasion noted below.
My current illness has its genesis in the ending of a 2-year romantic relationship. This occurred in mid-December. During what could fairly be described as a grieving period, I found myself unprepared to start my classes at the start of the Winter term. It is possibly somewhat related that I had not been taking Fall courses and so was in no way in the swing of things. By mid-January I contacted my professors, purchased my texts, and began on coursework for PSYC 251. I knew I was going through a rough patch but hoped I could pull out of it and get caught up. As I indicated to my instructors at the time, I was already noticing the stress of being behind and found simply logging in and addressing course materials to induce considerable feelings guilt and shame. For the one course (PSYC 251) I did find it possible to keep up on the textbook readings and take the weekly quizzes from that point on, which has given me a fighting chance at passing. However I was never able to get started on PSYC 271 and its very presence hanging over my head became a major stressor contributing to my health problems.
I was quite reluctant to quit however. I am taking these courses because I have a sincere interest in Psychology. I also had been entertaining the idea that (on the basis of these courses going well) I might return to campus and take a full course-load as early as the upcoming Fall. That I was being sidetracked was a painful realization that I did not want to accept. I was also upset that this was happening again. My original final year at Queen's was effectively wiped out because of a Major Depressive Episode.
My functioning did not improve over the subsequent month. I saw a doctor on the 25th of February and have been taking anti-anxiety medication since that time. At that same time it was resolved that dropping PSYC 271 would be in the best interest of my health. Even though I did not get around to formally doing so until now, the decision was in fact a psychological relief. It was upsetting that I missed a deadline for dropping the course, which I was informed was the Friday of that week. This was an unfortunate result of my not checking my email regularly. An aversion to communication has been part of my problem. When I would have a specific message to send to a professor it would usually take me several days, sometimes a week or more, to actually send the correspondence. This behaviour was/is irrational. The very lateness of this appeal is a result of this same symptom of avoidance. Having missed that deadline, there seemed some value (50, to be exact) in waiting until I decided if I would be adding my other course to the appeal. On March 30th I visited Kingston to meet with my professor for PSYC 251 and see a counselor at Health, Counselling and Disability Services. These meetings were productive. I was able to secure a needed extension on an assignment and was satisfied that I would continue with this course to completion. Being in Kingston that day, I even thought I'd try to submit this appeal in person. I was informed that it must be submitted online. So, it has still taken me nearly 2 weeks to get this in order from the time I was sure about everything. I apologize for this, but also would say that it partly demonstrates my lack of functionality.
My doctor, whom I have seen twice over the last 4 weeks, is referring me to a psychiatrist. This clearly indicates that both he and I are taking my condition seriously.
I thank you for your consideration of my appeal.
- Ian McKenzie
To avoid any confusion: I am aware that my status is officially that of an on-campus undergraduate. When I wanted to re-enroll to take online Psychology courses, my BAH-ENGL program was reactivated. I actually appreciate this and have no objection. I just want it to be clear to you that I live in Toronto and only visited campus on the one occasion noted below.
My current illness has its genesis in the ending of a 2-year romantic relationship. This occurred in mid-December. During what could fairly be described as a grieving period, I found myself unprepared to start my classes at the start of the Winter term. It is possibly somewhat related that I had not been taking Fall courses and so was in no way in the swing of things. By mid-January I contacted my professors, purchased my texts, and began on coursework for PSYC 251. I knew I was going through a rough patch but hoped I could pull out of it and get caught up. As I indicated to my instructors at the time, I was already noticing the stress of being behind and found simply logging in and addressing course materials to induce considerable feelings guilt and shame. For the one course (PSYC 251) I did find it possible to keep up on the textbook readings and take the weekly quizzes from that point on, which has given me a fighting chance at passing. However I was never able to get started on PSYC 271 and its very presence hanging over my head became a major stressor contributing to my health problems.
I was quite reluctant to quit however. I am taking these courses because I have a sincere interest in Psychology. I also had been entertaining the idea that (on the basis of these courses going well) I might return to campus and take a full course-load as early as the upcoming Fall. That I was being sidetracked was a painful realization that I did not want to accept. I was also upset that this was happening again. My original final year at Queen's was effectively wiped out because of a Major Depressive Episode.
My functioning did not improve over the subsequent month. I saw a doctor on the 25th of February and have been taking anti-anxiety medication since that time. At that same time it was resolved that dropping PSYC 271 would be in the best interest of my health. Even though I did not get around to formally doing so until now, the decision was in fact a psychological relief. It was upsetting that I missed a deadline for dropping the course, which I was informed was the Friday of that week. This was an unfortunate result of my not checking my email regularly. An aversion to communication has been part of my problem. When I would have a specific message to send to a professor it would usually take me several days, sometimes a week or more, to actually send the correspondence. This behaviour was/is irrational. The very lateness of this appeal is a result of this same symptom of avoidance. Having missed that deadline, there seemed some value (50, to be exact) in waiting until I decided if I would be adding my other course to the appeal. On March 30th I visited Kingston to meet with my professor for PSYC 251 and see a counselor at Health, Counselling and Disability Services. These meetings were productive. I was able to secure a needed extension on an assignment and was satisfied that I would continue with this course to completion. Being in Kingston that day, I even thought I'd try to submit this appeal in person. I was informed that it must be submitted online. So, it has still taken me nearly 2 weeks to get this in order from the time I was sure about everything. I apologize for this, but also would say that it partly demonstrates my lack of functionality.
My doctor, whom I have seen twice over the last 4 weeks, is referring me to a psychiatrist. This clearly indicates that both he and I are taking my condition seriously.
I thank you for your consideration of my appeal.
- Ian McKenzie
Documentation
Professional Letter: DrNote.jpg
Document: emailscreenshot.JPG
