Academic Plan
I am submitting this academic plan to outline the concrete steps I will take to ensure I perform better upon my return to studies. I recognize the challenges I faced over the past two years, and I am committed to making the necessary adjustments to succeed academically. This plan reflects the specific actions I will take to improve my academic habits, address the root causes of my struggles, and set myself up for success in the future.
After reflecting on my past performance, I’ve identified several factors that contributed to my challenges:
• Mental Health Struggles: I was dealing with significant anxiety and depression, which impacted my ability to focus and attend classes.
• Lack of Academic Support: I didn’t seek help when I needed it, whether it was through office hours, tutoring, or peer support.
• Time Management: I didn’t prioritize my studies effectively, often neglecting review sessions and failing to engage consistently with course material.
• Commuting: One significant factor I’ve realized in my academic journey is that commuting back and forth from home rather than staying on campus harmed my studies. While I initially thought that going home each weekend would provide me with the comfort and support, I needed, I now see how this decision affected my academic focus and overall productivity. The time spent traveling each week created a disruption in my routine, and I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in campus life or maintain a consistent study schedule.
To ensure my academic success upon returning, I plan to take the following actions:
1. Prioritize Mental Health
o I will continue to work with my doctor to develop strategies for managing anxiety and stress.
o I will maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal well-being, utilizing resources such as the campus counseling center if needed.
2. Engage Actively in Classes and Seek Academic Support
o I will attend all classes and labs regularly and actively participate in discussions and activities. I will also learn more towards online courses as I’ve seen I do better in this setting, for example my Pathology mark.
o I will attend office hours regularly, not just when I’m struggling, to develop a proactive relationship with my professors.
3. Develop Better Time Management Skills
o I will implement a weekly study schedule to ensure that I stay on top of assignments and exams.
o I will break down larger tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic deadlines to avoid last-minute cramming.
4. Plan Ahead of Time
o I have met with Academic Advisors since July and have discussed what actions I need to take for me to succeed.
o I will be taking if offered this summer, Biology 103 and Physiology 215 to help myself slowly get back into things.
5. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors
o I will meet with academic advisors at the start of each semester to ensure I’m on track with my course selections and academic progress.
o I will continuously update them on any questions and allow for their expertise to help me form a doable course schedule.
I am fully aware that I am past the deadline for appealing the one-year withdrawal, and I understand that this request may be a long shot. However, I am reaching out with the sincere hope that you might consider my situation. The time I’ve taken off has given me valuable perspective, and I now realize how deeply these challenges affected me. I should have sought help sooner, rather than trying to handle everything on my own. I am truly committed to improving and making the most of my time at Queen’s, and I am eager to show you my progress.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of my petition and academic plan. I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and prove that I can do much more.
After reflecting on my past performance, I’ve identified several factors that contributed to my challenges:
• Mental Health Struggles: I was dealing with significant anxiety and depression, which impacted my ability to focus and attend classes.
• Lack of Academic Support: I didn’t seek help when I needed it, whether it was through office hours, tutoring, or peer support.
• Time Management: I didn’t prioritize my studies effectively, often neglecting review sessions and failing to engage consistently with course material.
• Commuting: One significant factor I’ve realized in my academic journey is that commuting back and forth from home rather than staying on campus harmed my studies. While I initially thought that going home each weekend would provide me with the comfort and support, I needed, I now see how this decision affected my academic focus and overall productivity. The time spent traveling each week created a disruption in my routine, and I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in campus life or maintain a consistent study schedule.
To ensure my academic success upon returning, I plan to take the following actions:
1. Prioritize Mental Health
o I will continue to work with my doctor to develop strategies for managing anxiety and stress.
o I will maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal well-being, utilizing resources such as the campus counseling center if needed.
2. Engage Actively in Classes and Seek Academic Support
o I will attend all classes and labs regularly and actively participate in discussions and activities. I will also learn more towards online courses as I’ve seen I do better in this setting, for example my Pathology mark.
o I will attend office hours regularly, not just when I’m struggling, to develop a proactive relationship with my professors.
3. Develop Better Time Management Skills
o I will implement a weekly study schedule to ensure that I stay on top of assignments and exams.
o I will break down larger tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic deadlines to avoid last-minute cramming.
4. Plan Ahead of Time
o I have met with Academic Advisors since July and have discussed what actions I need to take for me to succeed.
o I will be taking if offered this summer, Biology 103 and Physiology 215 to help myself slowly get back into things.
5. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors
o I will meet with academic advisors at the start of each semester to ensure I’m on track with my course selections and academic progress.
o I will continuously update them on any questions and allow for their expertise to help me form a doable course schedule.
I am fully aware that I am past the deadline for appealing the one-year withdrawal, and I understand that this request may be a long shot. However, I am reaching out with the sincere hope that you might consider my situation. The time I’ve taken off has given me valuable perspective, and I now realize how deeply these challenges affected me. I should have sought help sooner, rather than trying to handle everything on my own. I am truly committed to improving and making the most of my time at Queen’s, and I am eager to show you my progress.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of my petition and academic plan. I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and prove that I can do much more.