Petition Letter
To Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request Credit Standing for the courses MATH 126, ECON 212, and ECON 222.
This is due to the significant impact that my struggles with anxiety and mental health had on my ability to perform academically. I understand the importance of meeting academic standards, and it is with a heavy heart that I must admit that I was unable to do so, not due to a lack of effort or interest, but because of the overwhelming personal challenges I was facing.
During October 2023 that my condition and struggles with anxiety began to seriously affect my academic life. As I progressed through my courses, I began experiencing increasing levels of anxiety that made it difficult for me to focus during lectures, retain information, and complete assignments on time. Simple tasks became overwhelming, and the pressure to succeed only exacerbated my condition. Despite my best efforts to maintain a balance, I found myself falling behind academically.
One of the most difficult periods for me was during exams season, when my mental health reached a critical point. My anxiety was at its peak, and I began experiencing frequent panic attacks, severe emotional distress, and an inability to concentrate. This led to absenteeism and poor performance on exams.
Despite recognizing that I needed help, I hesitated to seek support initially due to the stigma surrounding mental health. By the time I sought professional assistance from a therapist and began addressing my anxiety, the damage to my academic performance had already been done
For example, in ECON 212, ECON 222, and MATH 126, my grades suffered because I could not focus during lectures and found it nearly impossible to retain the material. It was these specific courses due to the math and economics material that I found difficult to keep up with and follow through as I struggled with memory and concentration. I missed several deadlines, which compounded my stress and further deteriorated my ability to keep up with my studies. Even though I made efforts to attend office hours and catch up, I was unable to fully recover academically due to the ongoing challenges with my mental health. I did not drop the course because ultimately, the significantly lower grades I received were related to my inability to perform well on my exams. Throughout the course I manage to keep up with the assignments and quizzes, but during the final examinations and midterms is when I found it difficult to retain the material.
In addition to therapy, I began taking steps to better manage my anxiety, including practicing mindfulness, starting medication, exercising regularly, and creating a structured schedule to help me regain control over my time. These steps have been helpful, but the process of managing anxiety is ongoing, and I am committed to continuing my journey toward better mental health.
I respectfully ask that you consider my request to have my academic performance reviewed in light of the mental health challenges I have described. I truly believe that had I not been struggling with anxiety, I would have been able to meet the academic expectations set by the institution. I would be incredibly grateful if my situation could be reassessed, whether that means extending deadlines, allowing me to retake certain courses, or adjusting my academic record accordingly.
Please know that I am committed to overcoming these challenges and moving forward with both my education and mental health in a much healthier way. I am hopeful that with your understanding and support, I can continue my academic journey on a more positive path.
I have provided documentation that may be helpful, including letters from my doctor. I sincerely hope that you will be able to offer me the opportunity to make up for the challenges I faced during this difficult period.
Thank you again for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Sonya Bong
20331388
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request Credit Standing for the courses MATH 126, ECON 212, and ECON 222.
This is due to the significant impact that my struggles with anxiety and mental health had on my ability to perform academically. I understand the importance of meeting academic standards, and it is with a heavy heart that I must admit that I was unable to do so, not due to a lack of effort or interest, but because of the overwhelming personal challenges I was facing.
During October 2023 that my condition and struggles with anxiety began to seriously affect my academic life. As I progressed through my courses, I began experiencing increasing levels of anxiety that made it difficult for me to focus during lectures, retain information, and complete assignments on time. Simple tasks became overwhelming, and the pressure to succeed only exacerbated my condition. Despite my best efforts to maintain a balance, I found myself falling behind academically.
One of the most difficult periods for me was during exams season, when my mental health reached a critical point. My anxiety was at its peak, and I began experiencing frequent panic attacks, severe emotional distress, and an inability to concentrate. This led to absenteeism and poor performance on exams.
Despite recognizing that I needed help, I hesitated to seek support initially due to the stigma surrounding mental health. By the time I sought professional assistance from a therapist and began addressing my anxiety, the damage to my academic performance had already been done
For example, in ECON 212, ECON 222, and MATH 126, my grades suffered because I could not focus during lectures and found it nearly impossible to retain the material. It was these specific courses due to the math and economics material that I found difficult to keep up with and follow through as I struggled with memory and concentration. I missed several deadlines, which compounded my stress and further deteriorated my ability to keep up with my studies. Even though I made efforts to attend office hours and catch up, I was unable to fully recover academically due to the ongoing challenges with my mental health. I did not drop the course because ultimately, the significantly lower grades I received were related to my inability to perform well on my exams. Throughout the course I manage to keep up with the assignments and quizzes, but during the final examinations and midterms is when I found it difficult to retain the material.
In addition to therapy, I began taking steps to better manage my anxiety, including practicing mindfulness, starting medication, exercising regularly, and creating a structured schedule to help me regain control over my time. These steps have been helpful, but the process of managing anxiety is ongoing, and I am committed to continuing my journey toward better mental health.
I respectfully ask that you consider my request to have my academic performance reviewed in light of the mental health challenges I have described. I truly believe that had I not been struggling with anxiety, I would have been able to meet the academic expectations set by the institution. I would be incredibly grateful if my situation could be reassessed, whether that means extending deadlines, allowing me to retake certain courses, or adjusting my academic record accordingly.
Please know that I am committed to overcoming these challenges and moving forward with both my education and mental health in a much healthier way. I am hopeful that with your understanding and support, I can continue my academic journey on a more positive path.
I have provided documentation that may be helpful, including letters from my doctor. I sincerely hope that you will be able to offer me the opportunity to make up for the challenges I faced during this difficult period.
Thank you again for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Sonya Bong
20331388