Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (studies),
My name is Alison Purcell, I am writing to request a number of appeals. Firstly, to waive the 21 day appeal deadline for the fall 2014 term. Also I would also like to request dropping a course after the deadline: MATH 121 Calculus (fall/winter 2014-2015). Finally I would also request credit standings in BIOL 102, introductory biology of cells (fall 2014), BIOL 103 introductory biology of organisms (winter 2015), CHEM 112 general chemistry (fall/winter), and PHYS 117 introductory physics (fall/winter).
I am requesting these appeals due to extenuating circumstances with my mental health, specifically severe depression, during my first year that was completely beyond my control. I am firstly appealing the 21-day deadline for the fall term because during this time after December exams, my depression caused me to remain bedridden, also especially at this time I was seriously considering suicide so in my mind at this time an appeal was unimportant. The reasoning behind the course appeals is similar as the depression negatively impacted my studies from late September through April. Because my mental illness had been newly diagnosed, my symptoms were out of control and treatment takes time and is very difficult to structure as each person has a unique reaction. I experienced many days and sometimes weeklong stretches where I found it impossible to leave my bed, therefore disallowing me to attend lectures, tutorials, labs as well as study and work on assignments. I reached the point where it was nearly impossible to catch up and study for tests and exams. On days when I would leave my bed and was able to attend classes I often found my mood caused me to lack motivation, feel extreme despair and constantly contemplate suicide, this made it difficult to focus on school or my health. Throughout the year I tried to access help with my mental health as well as work out solutions with my professors. I regularly went to Dr. Lacoursiere for support especially with medication; I also was regularly getting counselling from Freeman Woolnough. Dr. Lacoursiere referred me to Disability services. In my opinion had I been in better mental health, I would have had a better handle on my courses and all the work that was associated with them.
As far as my future plan is concerned, my main goal is to get healthy and hopefully return to Queen¿¿s and complete my undergraduate degree. Currently I remain on a lower dose of anti-depressant and meet with my family doctor but I am also seeing a naturopathic doctor who is also councillor. So far the lower dose of anti-depressant allows me more focus. I also have been getting Neurofeedback training where I¿¿m seeing results quickly. I plan to continue this course of treatment in combination with more behavioural and cognitive therapy and possibly acupuncture in the future. I hope continuing to seek professional attention will keep me on track and provide an assessment towards the end of the summer to see if I am able to return to Queen¿¿s to have a successful year. Myself and my doctors will also be mindful about how much I can handle in the next year; whether that means taking a lighter course load or taking a leave of absence. I plan to retake MATH 121 next year as I requested to drop it. As for the credit standings, I hope these will allow me to take upper year science courses and eventually let me succeed in a science program. I plan I be more attentive to what my health allows. If I return to Queen¿¿s, I will be in an undeclared major to allow a lighter course load. Also I have started researching councillors in Kingston to ensure I am set up in the fall and for the rest of my Queen¿¿s career. Dr. Lacoursiere has said she would continue to work with me and I plan to meet with disability services as needed. Assuming that I feel well enough to return to queens, I would like to work with an academic councillor to plan out each term and get some input into how to get in down time and time to exercise while I balance academics.
In conclusion although my first year did not go as well I had expected, I do feel that it is due to extenuating circumstances. I hope to get well because I do enjoy studying at Queen¿¿s, my future plan is to remain flexible so I can have a better time coping with my overall health and succeed academically as well
My name is Alison Purcell, I am writing to request a number of appeals. Firstly, to waive the 21 day appeal deadline for the fall 2014 term. Also I would also like to request dropping a course after the deadline: MATH 121 Calculus (fall/winter 2014-2015). Finally I would also request credit standings in BIOL 102, introductory biology of cells (fall 2014), BIOL 103 introductory biology of organisms (winter 2015), CHEM 112 general chemistry (fall/winter), and PHYS 117 introductory physics (fall/winter).
I am requesting these appeals due to extenuating circumstances with my mental health, specifically severe depression, during my first year that was completely beyond my control. I am firstly appealing the 21-day deadline for the fall term because during this time after December exams, my depression caused me to remain bedridden, also especially at this time I was seriously considering suicide so in my mind at this time an appeal was unimportant. The reasoning behind the course appeals is similar as the depression negatively impacted my studies from late September through April. Because my mental illness had been newly diagnosed, my symptoms were out of control and treatment takes time and is very difficult to structure as each person has a unique reaction. I experienced many days and sometimes weeklong stretches where I found it impossible to leave my bed, therefore disallowing me to attend lectures, tutorials, labs as well as study and work on assignments. I reached the point where it was nearly impossible to catch up and study for tests and exams. On days when I would leave my bed and was able to attend classes I often found my mood caused me to lack motivation, feel extreme despair and constantly contemplate suicide, this made it difficult to focus on school or my health. Throughout the year I tried to access help with my mental health as well as work out solutions with my professors. I regularly went to Dr. Lacoursiere for support especially with medication; I also was regularly getting counselling from Freeman Woolnough. Dr. Lacoursiere referred me to Disability services. In my opinion had I been in better mental health, I would have had a better handle on my courses and all the work that was associated with them.
As far as my future plan is concerned, my main goal is to get healthy and hopefully return to Queen¿¿s and complete my undergraduate degree. Currently I remain on a lower dose of anti-depressant and meet with my family doctor but I am also seeing a naturopathic doctor who is also councillor. So far the lower dose of anti-depressant allows me more focus. I also have been getting Neurofeedback training where I¿¿m seeing results quickly. I plan to continue this course of treatment in combination with more behavioural and cognitive therapy and possibly acupuncture in the future. I hope continuing to seek professional attention will keep me on track and provide an assessment towards the end of the summer to see if I am able to return to Queen¿¿s to have a successful year. Myself and my doctors will also be mindful about how much I can handle in the next year; whether that means taking a lighter course load or taking a leave of absence. I plan to retake MATH 121 next year as I requested to drop it. As for the credit standings, I hope these will allow me to take upper year science courses and eventually let me succeed in a science program. I plan I be more attentive to what my health allows. If I return to Queen¿¿s, I will be in an undeclared major to allow a lighter course load. Also I have started researching councillors in Kingston to ensure I am set up in the fall and for the rest of my Queen¿¿s career. Dr. Lacoursiere has said she would continue to work with me and I plan to meet with disability services as needed. Assuming that I feel well enough to return to queens, I would like to work with an academic councillor to plan out each term and get some input into how to get in down time and time to exercise while I balance academics.
In conclusion although my first year did not go as well I had expected, I do feel that it is due to extenuating circumstances. I hope to get well because I do enjoy studying at Queen¿¿s, my future plan is to remain flexible so I can have a better time coping with my overall health and succeed academically as well