Petition Letter
I am composing this application to respectfully seek a waiver for the mandatory one-year withdrawal due to my unsatisfactory academic performance. I am fully aware of the gravity of this situation and recognize its potential impact on my academic progress at Queen's University. However, I firmly believe that my circumstances warrant special consideration as they were beyond my control and had a direct and profound effect on my academic capabilities.
Throughout the previous academic year, I encountered a series of personal challenges that proved to be overwhelmingly difficult. These unavoidable circumstances had a significant impact on my overall well-being, consequently affecting my academic performance. I would like to shed light on the following factors that contributed to my unsatisfactory academic progress:
Psychological Challenge: Over the course of the year, I faced an immense psychological challenge due to my mother's deteriorating mental health. As her only child, I had to leave her alone in my hometown while she underwent psychiatric treatment. The responsibility of ensuring her well-being and providing support from a distance had a severe mental impact on me. The constant worry, guilt, and helplessness I experienced adversely affected my ability to concentrate and excel academically.
Adjustment to a New Environment: Relocating to Kingston and commencing my university journey in an unfamiliar place added to the emotional burden I was already carrying. The cultural differences, coupled with the absence of familiar faces and support networks, posed significant challenges in adapting to my new surroundings. The sense of isolation and disconnection from my usual sources of emotional support kept me mentally disturbed for a considerable portion of the year.
The combination of these circumstances created a perfect storm of emotional turmoil that hindered my academic progress. I want to emphasize my unwavering commitment to my education and the deep value I place on the opportunities provided by Queen's University. However, the weight of these exceptional challenges significantly affected my ability to perform at my true potential.
Professor Peter Taylor is fully aware of my situation. When the circumstances became overwhelming, I opened myself with him, who with his counselling, helped me try to overcome through my depression. He has been supporting me throughout my recovery.
I even attended the counselling session at the student wellness centre.
I humbly request the university administration to reconsider the requirement for me to withdraw for one year and kindly grant me a waiver, allowing me the opportunity to repeat my first-year courses and improve my GPA.
I am fully dedicated to addressing and overcoming the challenges I have faced. I have taken proactive steps to establish a network of friends and seek guidance within the university community. Furthermore, I have made efforts to arrange for my mother to stay with my relatives, ensuring she is not left alone. She now possesses a CANADA visit visa, permitting her to stay with me for a few months each year. For this I have rented a 1-bedroom apartment at Unity Point so that my mother can be with me during her Canada visit. With these proactive measures in place, I am confident in my ability to enhance my academic performance.
I fully understand and appreciate the significance of maintaining academic standards at Queen's, and I assure you that I am determined to make significant improvements in my academic performance. I am willing to comply with any conditions or alternative measures that the university deems necessary to support my progress. I am open to participating in academic counseling, tutoring programs, or any additional support systems that will contribute to my academic success.
I kindly request your compassion and understanding as you review my appeal. Granting this waiver would not only allow me to regain my academic momentum but also enable me to make a positive contribution to the vibrant academic community at Queen's. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration in evaluating my petition, and I eagerly await your response.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Mahib Shaikh
Throughout the previous academic year, I encountered a series of personal challenges that proved to be overwhelmingly difficult. These unavoidable circumstances had a significant impact on my overall well-being, consequently affecting my academic performance. I would like to shed light on the following factors that contributed to my unsatisfactory academic progress:
Psychological Challenge: Over the course of the year, I faced an immense psychological challenge due to my mother's deteriorating mental health. As her only child, I had to leave her alone in my hometown while she underwent psychiatric treatment. The responsibility of ensuring her well-being and providing support from a distance had a severe mental impact on me. The constant worry, guilt, and helplessness I experienced adversely affected my ability to concentrate and excel academically.
Adjustment to a New Environment: Relocating to Kingston and commencing my university journey in an unfamiliar place added to the emotional burden I was already carrying. The cultural differences, coupled with the absence of familiar faces and support networks, posed significant challenges in adapting to my new surroundings. The sense of isolation and disconnection from my usual sources of emotional support kept me mentally disturbed for a considerable portion of the year.
The combination of these circumstances created a perfect storm of emotional turmoil that hindered my academic progress. I want to emphasize my unwavering commitment to my education and the deep value I place on the opportunities provided by Queen's University. However, the weight of these exceptional challenges significantly affected my ability to perform at my true potential.
Professor Peter Taylor is fully aware of my situation. When the circumstances became overwhelming, I opened myself with him, who with his counselling, helped me try to overcome through my depression. He has been supporting me throughout my recovery.
I even attended the counselling session at the student wellness centre.
I humbly request the university administration to reconsider the requirement for me to withdraw for one year and kindly grant me a waiver, allowing me the opportunity to repeat my first-year courses and improve my GPA.
I am fully dedicated to addressing and overcoming the challenges I have faced. I have taken proactive steps to establish a network of friends and seek guidance within the university community. Furthermore, I have made efforts to arrange for my mother to stay with my relatives, ensuring she is not left alone. She now possesses a CANADA visit visa, permitting her to stay with me for a few months each year. For this I have rented a 1-bedroom apartment at Unity Point so that my mother can be with me during her Canada visit. With these proactive measures in place, I am confident in my ability to enhance my academic performance.
I fully understand and appreciate the significance of maintaining academic standards at Queen's, and I assure you that I am determined to make significant improvements in my academic performance. I am willing to comply with any conditions or alternative measures that the university deems necessary to support my progress. I am open to participating in academic counseling, tutoring programs, or any additional support systems that will contribute to my academic success.
I kindly request your compassion and understanding as you review my appeal. Granting this waiver would not only allow me to regain my academic momentum but also enable me to make a positive contribution to the vibrant academic community at Queen's. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration in evaluating my petition, and I eagerly await your response.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Mahib Shaikh