Petition Letter
June 2, 2015
To: Associate Dean (Studies)
From: Eric Hentschel
Dear Associate Dean:
I am applying to drop MATH 126 and HIST 124 past the academic deadline and applying for credit standing in PSYC 100 due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control.
Over the course of my first year at Queens, I experienced a number of stressful situations that had an impact on my psychological health and negatively affected my academic performance. In late 2014, my father, whose behaviour had become increasingly erratic, was diagnosed as depressive and bipolar. After a number of disturbing episodes, he was admitted on an emergency basis to CAMH where he stayed for several weeks. I had to go home to Toronto a number of times during his hospitalization and after. Not only were these visits extremely upsetting to me, but they resulted in my missing class. When I was at school, I found it hard to concentrate and fell behind in my assignments. I found it very difficult to study. During this time, my parents separated. That added another level of stress and that whole process was also very upsetting.
This was happening while at the same time I was having trouble adjusting to university. I am not an outgoing person and did not make any new friends in residence or in class. I found residence life to be quite lonely. I did have a friend from high school that I was going to live with in second year, but he ended up going in with another group and I did not have anyone else to move in with. I know this is something that happens to a lot of people, but with everything else that was going on I just felt completely overwhelmed.
Over the course of the school year I became increasingly depressed. I didn¿¿t feel like there was any point trying to get caught up on my assignments or to study. I was so behind that it all seemed impossible. I did see a counselor at Queen¿¿s once but I didn¿¿t go back.
I did start to feel better near the end of the term but by then it was too late. For example, I did well on my history final but I had not handed in an important assignment earlier and ended up failing. I was so behind in Math and Psych that I could not get caught up. My mother arranged for me to see a counselor in Toronto. I am going to continue to see him over the summer and keep in contact during the school year. I also saw my family doctor who will provide a letter that I will submit in support of my application. Things are relatively stable at home and I am feeling a lot better. I have also connected with a tutor I had in high school who is going to help me make a study plan and stay organized. We are going to meet once a week by Skype during the school year. I think this will help me a lot. I also plan to switch from Economics to PoliSci.
I have a summer job at a downtown law firm in Toronto that I am enjoying. I would like to improve my grades enough to be able to go to law school. I know that in addition to working on my academic performance, I have to get involved in extracurricular activities to meet people and get more connected with university life. I am going to join the squash club and I would also like to get involved in the AMS. I will be living in residence again and know I have to make more of an effort to get involved with social activities in residence.
I hope you will allow my appeal. I am eager for a second chance and won¿¿t waste it.
Sincerely,
Eric Hentschel
To: Associate Dean (Studies)
From: Eric Hentschel
Dear Associate Dean:
I am applying to drop MATH 126 and HIST 124 past the academic deadline and applying for credit standing in PSYC 100 due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control.
Over the course of my first year at Queens, I experienced a number of stressful situations that had an impact on my psychological health and negatively affected my academic performance. In late 2014, my father, whose behaviour had become increasingly erratic, was diagnosed as depressive and bipolar. After a number of disturbing episodes, he was admitted on an emergency basis to CAMH where he stayed for several weeks. I had to go home to Toronto a number of times during his hospitalization and after. Not only were these visits extremely upsetting to me, but they resulted in my missing class. When I was at school, I found it hard to concentrate and fell behind in my assignments. I found it very difficult to study. During this time, my parents separated. That added another level of stress and that whole process was also very upsetting.
This was happening while at the same time I was having trouble adjusting to university. I am not an outgoing person and did not make any new friends in residence or in class. I found residence life to be quite lonely. I did have a friend from high school that I was going to live with in second year, but he ended up going in with another group and I did not have anyone else to move in with. I know this is something that happens to a lot of people, but with everything else that was going on I just felt completely overwhelmed.
Over the course of the school year I became increasingly depressed. I didn¿¿t feel like there was any point trying to get caught up on my assignments or to study. I was so behind that it all seemed impossible. I did see a counselor at Queen¿¿s once but I didn¿¿t go back.
I did start to feel better near the end of the term but by then it was too late. For example, I did well on my history final but I had not handed in an important assignment earlier and ended up failing. I was so behind in Math and Psych that I could not get caught up. My mother arranged for me to see a counselor in Toronto. I am going to continue to see him over the summer and keep in contact during the school year. I also saw my family doctor who will provide a letter that I will submit in support of my application. Things are relatively stable at home and I am feeling a lot better. I have also connected with a tutor I had in high school who is going to help me make a study plan and stay organized. We are going to meet once a week by Skype during the school year. I think this will help me a lot. I also plan to switch from Economics to PoliSci.
I have a summer job at a downtown law firm in Toronto that I am enjoying. I would like to improve my grades enough to be able to go to law school. I know that in addition to working on my academic performance, I have to get involved in extracurricular activities to meet people and get more connected with university life. I am going to join the squash club and I would also like to get involved in the AMS. I will be living in residence again and know I have to make more of an effort to get involved with social activities in residence.
I hope you will allow my appeal. I am eager for a second chance and won¿¿t waste it.
Sincerely,
Eric Hentschel