Petition Letter
Faculty of Arts and Science Appeal Board
Dear Sir/Madam: The Associate Dean of Studies
During one of my final BISC lectures of the year, Dr. Christian Lloyd asked our class, ¿¿has this year changed you¿ I believe that my year at Bader has undoubtedly changed who I am.
My current GPA is inadequate to continue studying at Queen¿¿s. Despite this truth, I am confident that, with a commitment to better organization, I can meet and surpass my personal goal of achieving a 2.5 GPA given the chance to study Geography, Drama and Film at the prerequisite level.
I have been identified ADHD and my records were submitted to Queen¿¿s prior September 2014. My greatest challenges are self-regulation and organization. During high school, I took medication regularly and was permitted various accommodations such as extra time for exams. When I worked with The Learning Centre, I did quite well. I did not have these structures in place last year and the result speaks for itself. My testing was done by Dr. Steven Springer in Toronto. He can be reached at drstevespringer@gmail.com and 416 588 4737.
When I applied to universities, I only envisioned myself at Queen¿¿s in Kingston. I received full acceptance at the other institutions but waiting list only for Kingston. I knew I was expected to confirm my i wanted to remain on the waiting list but my self-regulatory challenges interfered and I missed the opportunity. I hoped that my best route to main campus was to accept the Castle offer and transition to main campus for second year. Unfortunately, my grades declined dramatically for many reasons.
My student visa was held up so I arrived late to Bader. I immediately realized that I¿¿d made the wrong choice and begged to return to Kingston, closer to home. That option was declined so i resolved to make the best of things. My family encouraged me to get my accommodations in place but I was unable to ask for help. I fell behind instantly and became too depressed to care. I needed help to communicate my needs but had difficulty doing so on my own. Reflecting on my year abroad, I understand now that I needed support that I didn¿¿t know how to ask for.
Personal family issues have also affected my performance. We have a small family. My father has lost his two sisters to cancer and two of my cousins have been diagnosed in the past year. I worried from a distance and my academics continued to slide. Socially, I was very unhappy and missing the outlet of athletics.
When I returned home in April, Dr. Springer told me to stop my medication as it was contributing to my mood issues. I was struggling to manage my emotions as I had been at Bader and although meeting with Dr. Springer was difficult, I¿¿m glad my parents encouraged me to go. I am feeling much more optimistic and excited to try academics again. I am working with my doctor this summer to find the right medication to allow improved focus when at school.
Last year¿¿s results do not reflect my capabilities. My strengths are in mathematics and yet I have a deep passion for the creative arts. I am a gifted athlete, particularly in lacrosse and yet one of my fondest memories is playing Ferris Bueller in a school play. My best marks were in drama and geography and I¿¿d like to pursue Environmental Science or Drama given a chance as a full-time, or even part-time student so that I can graduate with my high school friends who are my greatest source of inspiration.
I have access to off campus accommodation with friends. If I¿¿m accepted as a part-time student, I am prepared to work at restaurants in Kingston which I have done for the last three summers. I know how important it is to balance athletics with academics and I aspire to play lacrosse for Queen¿¿s one day. I¿¿ve learned many important lessons this past year and I truly hope for a chance to redeem myself and bring my grades up with help from Disability Services. I will continue to work toward making a plan for success so that I can be a constructive and positive member of the Queen¿¿s student body.
I¿¿m aware that I¿¿ve missed the deadline to submit my major but I¿¿m begging for a chance to try again. Last year¿¿s mistakes are mine to own but given my challenges with transition and the lack of courage to ask for help, I now recognize that it¿¿s entirely up to me to reflect and make a plan that sets me up to succeed. I think being honest is best and I hope you understand enough about my situation to consider giving me one more chance.
Respectfully,
Clark Stodgell
701-68 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5R 3V7
Student of Herstmonceux Castle, Bader Hall
Dear Sir/Madam: The Associate Dean of Studies
During one of my final BISC lectures of the year, Dr. Christian Lloyd asked our class, ¿¿has this year changed you¿ I believe that my year at Bader has undoubtedly changed who I am.
My current GPA is inadequate to continue studying at Queen¿¿s. Despite this truth, I am confident that, with a commitment to better organization, I can meet and surpass my personal goal of achieving a 2.5 GPA given the chance to study Geography, Drama and Film at the prerequisite level.
I have been identified ADHD and my records were submitted to Queen¿¿s prior September 2014. My greatest challenges are self-regulation and organization. During high school, I took medication regularly and was permitted various accommodations such as extra time for exams. When I worked with The Learning Centre, I did quite well. I did not have these structures in place last year and the result speaks for itself. My testing was done by Dr. Steven Springer in Toronto. He can be reached at drstevespringer@gmail.com and 416 588 4737.
When I applied to universities, I only envisioned myself at Queen¿¿s in Kingston. I received full acceptance at the other institutions but waiting list only for Kingston. I knew I was expected to confirm my i wanted to remain on the waiting list but my self-regulatory challenges interfered and I missed the opportunity. I hoped that my best route to main campus was to accept the Castle offer and transition to main campus for second year. Unfortunately, my grades declined dramatically for many reasons.
My student visa was held up so I arrived late to Bader. I immediately realized that I¿¿d made the wrong choice and begged to return to Kingston, closer to home. That option was declined so i resolved to make the best of things. My family encouraged me to get my accommodations in place but I was unable to ask for help. I fell behind instantly and became too depressed to care. I needed help to communicate my needs but had difficulty doing so on my own. Reflecting on my year abroad, I understand now that I needed support that I didn¿¿t know how to ask for.
Personal family issues have also affected my performance. We have a small family. My father has lost his two sisters to cancer and two of my cousins have been diagnosed in the past year. I worried from a distance and my academics continued to slide. Socially, I was very unhappy and missing the outlet of athletics.
When I returned home in April, Dr. Springer told me to stop my medication as it was contributing to my mood issues. I was struggling to manage my emotions as I had been at Bader and although meeting with Dr. Springer was difficult, I¿¿m glad my parents encouraged me to go. I am feeling much more optimistic and excited to try academics again. I am working with my doctor this summer to find the right medication to allow improved focus when at school.
Last year¿¿s results do not reflect my capabilities. My strengths are in mathematics and yet I have a deep passion for the creative arts. I am a gifted athlete, particularly in lacrosse and yet one of my fondest memories is playing Ferris Bueller in a school play. My best marks were in drama and geography and I¿¿d like to pursue Environmental Science or Drama given a chance as a full-time, or even part-time student so that I can graduate with my high school friends who are my greatest source of inspiration.
I have access to off campus accommodation with friends. If I¿¿m accepted as a part-time student, I am prepared to work at restaurants in Kingston which I have done for the last three summers. I know how important it is to balance athletics with academics and I aspire to play lacrosse for Queen¿¿s one day. I¿¿ve learned many important lessons this past year and I truly hope for a chance to redeem myself and bring my grades up with help from Disability Services. I will continue to work toward making a plan for success so that I can be a constructive and positive member of the Queen¿¿s student body.
I¿¿m aware that I¿¿ve missed the deadline to submit my major but I¿¿m begging for a chance to try again. Last year¿¿s mistakes are mine to own but given my challenges with transition and the lack of courage to ask for help, I now recognize that it¿¿s entirely up to me to reflect and make a plan that sets me up to succeed. I think being honest is best and I hope you understand enough about my situation to consider giving me one more chance.
Respectfully,
Clark Stodgell
701-68 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5R 3V7
Student of Herstmonceux Castle, Bader Hall