Petition Letter
Shada Barkho
340 Bay Mills Blvd,
Toronto, ON, M1T 2G7
20sbb4@queensu.ca
416-458-8881
June 1, 2023
Dear Associate Dean (Academic),
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally petition the Faculty of Arts and Science’s decision that I must withdraw from my studies at Queen’s University for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Throughout this academic year I have unfortunately experienced a number of extenuating circumstances which have inevitably led to my poor academic performance. Firstly, upon moving into my first house without my family, I found myself in an unsafe, and sometimes violent living environment. This severely affected my ability to focus on my studies as well as my overall wellbeing due to the fact that I was not able to feel fully calm in a place that was supposed to be my home. These issues began September 30th and persisted until the end of my lease in April, disrupting both my fall and winter semester.
Additionally, during the fall semester I was faced with the immense pressures of attending court as the primary witness to a crime, specifically sexual assault to a family member. The emotional toll of this experience was over whelming, leading to heightened anxiety and depression which I already struggle with. This caused a decline in my mental health due to the fact that I was forced to constantly remember the details of this crime not only near the court date but for consecutive weeks leading up to it and after to assist the detective in any way needed. Despite my efforts to balance these circumstances with my studies, I found it increasingly difficult to meet attendance requirements and therefore perform academically.
As well as this, I have been struggling with my mental health since entering Queen’s in the fall of 2021 and as of February 2023 have finally received the help I needed. Though I have reached out to mental health services at Queen’s many times and had conversations with a doctor at Student Wellness Services, I was told that since I wasn’t interested in taking medication that the doctor could not do anything for me and therefore could not give me a proper diagnosis nor any academic accommodation. Despite being told that “I wasn’t doing anything to help myself” by a psychiatrist at Queen’s I tried my best to seek help. Now, I am connected with a psychologist and have had bi-weekly therapy appointments to improve my mental health as well as receiving my mental health diagnosis. Unfortunately, this treatment came too late and I was not able to be successful this year.
All of these factors contributed to my inability to concentrate, complete assignments and attend classes regularly despite my best efforts. However I am determined to overcome these challenged and continue pursuing my education at Queen’s University. Since ending off this last term I have been able to move things in a more positive direction and take steps to improve myself overall through the summer and next term if given the chance. I have been able to move away from the house in which I stayed this year and have made alternate living arrangements for the upcoming year and beyond. As well as this I have continued to receive therapy to ensure that I am properly maintaining my mental health. I have found that this along with engaging in regular self-care practises as opposed to medication have been a better option for me. I know cannot change what has happened in the past, (though I often wish I could) I believe that the steps I have taken and will continue to take will lead to a significantly more successful year in 2023-2024 ad beyond; I only hope that I will get the chance to showcase this.
I kindly request reconsideration of the decision to withdraw my studies. I firmly believe that given the circumstances outlined above, I have reason to appeal is decision. With this petition I have provided documentation to support my case and will gladly provide any additional information or documentation required of me. Thank you for taking the time to review my petition, I love Queen’s University, and cant imagine myself anywhere else, not even for a year. I sincerely hope that we can come to a different decision on my enrollment.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Shada Barkho
340 Bay Mills Blvd,
Toronto, ON, M1T 2G7
20sbb4@queensu.ca
416-458-8881
June 1, 2023
Dear Associate Dean (Academic),
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally petition the Faculty of Arts and Science’s decision that I must withdraw from my studies at Queen’s University for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Throughout this academic year I have unfortunately experienced a number of extenuating circumstances which have inevitably led to my poor academic performance. Firstly, upon moving into my first house without my family, I found myself in an unsafe, and sometimes violent living environment. This severely affected my ability to focus on my studies as well as my overall wellbeing due to the fact that I was not able to feel fully calm in a place that was supposed to be my home. These issues began September 30th and persisted until the end of my lease in April, disrupting both my fall and winter semester.
Additionally, during the fall semester I was faced with the immense pressures of attending court as the primary witness to a crime, specifically sexual assault to a family member. The emotional toll of this experience was over whelming, leading to heightened anxiety and depression which I already struggle with. This caused a decline in my mental health due to the fact that I was forced to constantly remember the details of this crime not only near the court date but for consecutive weeks leading up to it and after to assist the detective in any way needed. Despite my efforts to balance these circumstances with my studies, I found it increasingly difficult to meet attendance requirements and therefore perform academically.
As well as this, I have been struggling with my mental health since entering Queen’s in the fall of 2021 and as of February 2023 have finally received the help I needed. Though I have reached out to mental health services at Queen’s many times and had conversations with a doctor at Student Wellness Services, I was told that since I wasn’t interested in taking medication that the doctor could not do anything for me and therefore could not give me a proper diagnosis nor any academic accommodation. Despite being told that “I wasn’t doing anything to help myself” by a psychiatrist at Queen’s I tried my best to seek help. Now, I am connected with a psychologist and have had bi-weekly therapy appointments to improve my mental health as well as receiving my mental health diagnosis. Unfortunately, this treatment came too late and I was not able to be successful this year.
All of these factors contributed to my inability to concentrate, complete assignments and attend classes regularly despite my best efforts. However I am determined to overcome these challenged and continue pursuing my education at Queen’s University. Since ending off this last term I have been able to move things in a more positive direction and take steps to improve myself overall through the summer and next term if given the chance. I have been able to move away from the house in which I stayed this year and have made alternate living arrangements for the upcoming year and beyond. As well as this I have continued to receive therapy to ensure that I am properly maintaining my mental health. I have found that this along with engaging in regular self-care practises as opposed to medication have been a better option for me. I know cannot change what has happened in the past, (though I often wish I could) I believe that the steps I have taken and will continue to take will lead to a significantly more successful year in 2023-2024 ad beyond; I only hope that I will get the chance to showcase this.
I kindly request reconsideration of the decision to withdraw my studies. I firmly believe that given the circumstances outlined above, I have reason to appeal is decision. With this petition I have provided documentation to support my case and will gladly provide any additional information or documentation required of me. Thank you for taking the time to review my petition, I love Queen’s University, and cant imagine myself anywhere else, not even for a year. I sincerely hope that we can come to a different decision on my enrollment.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Shada Barkho