Academic Plan
As outlined in my letter, I have created an academic plan. This plan covers area of study, course load, goals, as well as mental and physical health.
To begin, I have set a goal to switch areas of study from a joint honours program (ECONENVS-A) into ENSC-M-BSH. Maintaining a joint honours degree has been difficult for me and I have come to realize that I have lost my passion for economics. This goal will also help with motivating myself to strive for achievement, as I know I will enjoy this program more and that I have a deeper understanding and connection to environmental science. Furthermore, the pressure of attempting to maintain a high number of courses due to timetable conflicts between the two departments would be alleviated, thus allowing me to maintain a lower course load.
I also plan on reaching out to drop spring/summer courses for 2024 as suggested in the letter requesting withdrawal for one year. By dropping these courses, I will be able to focus on mental wellbeing and conduct intensive therapy for PTSD without the worry of this therapy interfering with my studies. This will aid in improving my symptoms going into the 2024-25 academic year. Continuing, it will allow time to evaluate my goals for the year and conduct a reset as I did experience a large amount of stress after receiving the letter. If I return to courses in Fall 2024, I will be in a much better headspace with treatment for PTSD as I have been medicated, but unable to conduct intensive therapy due to courses.
In terms of course load, I plan on reducing my course load to 3 courses per term which I will consult academic advising on selection. With 3 courses, I will have greater availability to continue therapy and medical appointments, as well as time buffers for overstimulation, trigger, and pain management. This will also allow for greater focus on the 3 courses to find success, as opposed to 5 courses. More time can be spent studying and completing assignments for the 3 courses.
I will also ensure that I keep in contact with QSAS to maintain accommodations and ensure that my academic goals are being met. Understanding how my disability impacts learning will aid in course success and prepare my understanding of how this would impact me post academia.
Finally, I plan to continue my medical treatments, both physical and mental as they will help me achieve success. If I continue counselling, I will continue to build coping skills for my Autism Spectrum Disorder and PTSD, while my physical medical appointments will aid with pain management, diagnosis, and treatment for recent physical illness, as well as management of PTSD through medication.
It will be absolutely necessary for me to stick to strict timelines, manage my physical and mental health, and to learn to cope well, both in life and academics. I have also committed to keeping myself away from abusive situations. If I am able to follow through with these plans, I know that I can be as successful as I was in the past. I hope that I will be able to show this commitment in the Fall term.
To begin, I have set a goal to switch areas of study from a joint honours program (ECONENVS-A) into ENSC-M-BSH. Maintaining a joint honours degree has been difficult for me and I have come to realize that I have lost my passion for economics. This goal will also help with motivating myself to strive for achievement, as I know I will enjoy this program more and that I have a deeper understanding and connection to environmental science. Furthermore, the pressure of attempting to maintain a high number of courses due to timetable conflicts between the two departments would be alleviated, thus allowing me to maintain a lower course load.
I also plan on reaching out to drop spring/summer courses for 2024 as suggested in the letter requesting withdrawal for one year. By dropping these courses, I will be able to focus on mental wellbeing and conduct intensive therapy for PTSD without the worry of this therapy interfering with my studies. This will aid in improving my symptoms going into the 2024-25 academic year. Continuing, it will allow time to evaluate my goals for the year and conduct a reset as I did experience a large amount of stress after receiving the letter. If I return to courses in Fall 2024, I will be in a much better headspace with treatment for PTSD as I have been medicated, but unable to conduct intensive therapy due to courses.
In terms of course load, I plan on reducing my course load to 3 courses per term which I will consult academic advising on selection. With 3 courses, I will have greater availability to continue therapy and medical appointments, as well as time buffers for overstimulation, trigger, and pain management. This will also allow for greater focus on the 3 courses to find success, as opposed to 5 courses. More time can be spent studying and completing assignments for the 3 courses.
I will also ensure that I keep in contact with QSAS to maintain accommodations and ensure that my academic goals are being met. Understanding how my disability impacts learning will aid in course success and prepare my understanding of how this would impact me post academia.
Finally, I plan to continue my medical treatments, both physical and mental as they will help me achieve success. If I continue counselling, I will continue to build coping skills for my Autism Spectrum Disorder and PTSD, while my physical medical appointments will aid with pain management, diagnosis, and treatment for recent physical illness, as well as management of PTSD through medication.
It will be absolutely necessary for me to stick to strict timelines, manage my physical and mental health, and to learn to cope well, both in life and academics. I have also committed to keeping myself away from abusive situations. If I am able to follow through with these plans, I know that I can be as successful as I was in the past. I hope that I will be able to show this commitment in the Fall term.