Petition Letter
At the beginning of my third year of studies, my uncle was in palliative care, and my great aunt was also in critical condition. Being so close to both of them, I lived every day on edge. I was overwhelmed by the uncertainty of when I might receive the call that one of them had passed.
Throughout the entire fall semester, my anxiety and stress levels were high which resulted in poor sleep hygiene and a decline in my academic performance . During this time, I tried to seek support, but I wanted to avoid talking or confronting the possibility of losing two people who are very close to me. As a result, I struggled to manage the stress and academic pressure and eventually shut down. It became increasingly difficult to focus on my studies and put my best effort into academic work, as I could only focus on the fear of my uncle and great aunt dying. The entire fall semester was a struggle, especially due to the constant uncertainty about what might happen. I was unable to fully contribute to group work and found it hard to put my best effort into individual assignments because I couldn’t think clearly.
For example, in HLTH 323, we were presented with a number of assignments to expand our learning. Due to my lack of focus and ability to concentrate, I had received zeros for not completing the assessments to the correct format and on time. My lack of time management and focus on assignments had led me to perform poorly throughout the term, which was greatly reflected through my work.
I noticed my academic performance started to decline during fall reading week, when I received news that my great aunt had been admitted to the hospital. In March of 2024, I learned that my uncle had passed away. I returned home for the weekend and came back to Kingston two days after the funeral. Ten days after my uncle’s death, I received another call informing me that my great aunt had passed away. I went home again a week later for her funeral. I submitted academic consideration requests for three of my winter term courses.
Although this petition concerns HLTH 305, HLTH 323, BIOL 110, and ASTR 101, in the Winter 2024 semester, I was also enrolled in another course taught by Dr. Stevenson Fergus, from whom I requested academic consideration regarding a midterm. Dr. Fergus, who taught HLTH 305, was aware of my circumstances, but I didn’t submit an official academic consideration for that class since no assignments were due during that specific week.
That period of my life was extremely challenging, and I am still working through my grief. I have received counseling support and am doing better now. I firmly believe that I could have performed better academically if the circumstances had been different, which is evident from my previous academic performance.
I have spoken to Vanessa McCourt, the Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, about my situation. Although my grades were lower than expected, I am confident that I can perform and thrive in my studies moving forward.
Throughout the entire fall semester, my anxiety and stress levels were high which resulted in poor sleep hygiene and a decline in my academic performance . During this time, I tried to seek support, but I wanted to avoid talking or confronting the possibility of losing two people who are very close to me. As a result, I struggled to manage the stress and academic pressure and eventually shut down. It became increasingly difficult to focus on my studies and put my best effort into academic work, as I could only focus on the fear of my uncle and great aunt dying. The entire fall semester was a struggle, especially due to the constant uncertainty about what might happen. I was unable to fully contribute to group work and found it hard to put my best effort into individual assignments because I couldn’t think clearly.
For example, in HLTH 323, we were presented with a number of assignments to expand our learning. Due to my lack of focus and ability to concentrate, I had received zeros for not completing the assessments to the correct format and on time. My lack of time management and focus on assignments had led me to perform poorly throughout the term, which was greatly reflected through my work.
I noticed my academic performance started to decline during fall reading week, when I received news that my great aunt had been admitted to the hospital. In March of 2024, I learned that my uncle had passed away. I returned home for the weekend and came back to Kingston two days after the funeral. Ten days after my uncle’s death, I received another call informing me that my great aunt had passed away. I went home again a week later for her funeral. I submitted academic consideration requests for three of my winter term courses.
Although this petition concerns HLTH 305, HLTH 323, BIOL 110, and ASTR 101, in the Winter 2024 semester, I was also enrolled in another course taught by Dr. Stevenson Fergus, from whom I requested academic consideration regarding a midterm. Dr. Fergus, who taught HLTH 305, was aware of my circumstances, but I didn’t submit an official academic consideration for that class since no assignments were due during that specific week.
That period of my life was extremely challenging, and I am still working through my grief. I have received counseling support and am doing better now. I firmly believe that I could have performed better academically if the circumstances had been different, which is evident from my previous academic performance.
I have spoken to Vanessa McCourt, the Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, about my situation. Although my grades were lower than expected, I am confident that I can perform and thrive in my studies moving forward.