Petition Letter
To the Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing to request to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year, to request to drop a PSYC 235 (2014) after the drop date, and to request CR standing in PSYC 100 (2014/2015).
Starting in the spring of 2014, I began to undergo a series of unanticipated events within my family and personal relationships that affected and have continued to affect my academics and day to day well being. These trials included taking on the responsibility as a primary support system for my significant other, who was and continues to undergo a battle with severe depression and anxiety. This included acting as a primary support during times of suicidal ideation, depression, and barrage of bouts of severe anxiety. While I am currently working with a counsellor to better manage my boundaries within this relationship, because of the responsibilities of the position I was in this past academic year have taken up much of my time as well as emotional and physical resources, and has left me feeling exhausted and a difficulty to focus on academics. One of most significant events during this relationship related strife occurred in June of 2014, during the weeks leading up to and during the date to drop courses without academic penalty, during which time my significant other was in the apex of their struggles with suicidal ideation and and I was in a situation where my time and efforts were put towards caring for their mental health. This continued into the fall and early winter of 2014/2015, during which time I had my midterm for PSYC 100, the negative academic result of which affected greatly impacted my final grade in the class. In addition, my family struggles, which are outlined below, affected my ability to prepare for my midterm exams, and also affected my abilities to attend labs for this course, which also negatively affected my final grade in this course.
During the late summer months of 2014, my family also started the process of undergoing financial strife with regards to interfamily management of finances and an unforeseen burden of the payment of a large line of credit being placed on my mother. This unanticipated large financial burden caused a large amount of immediate family conflict and stress as I acted as a liaison between members of my family during the fall and winter of 2014/2015 which was compounded with the fact of the previous divorce of my parents. The day to day struggles also included acting as a communication aid between my family and the seeking of legal advice and support. This in addition to the nature of the problem caused large amount of anxiety and emotional draining on a day to day basis, resulting in a loss of sleep and motivation surrounding my academic duties.
During the spring of 2015, I sought out professional counselling through Whitney Babcock and Arunima Khanna in HCDS at Queen's. They have helped me understand the boundaries I need to maintain in my personal and familial relationships, including helping me understand that the care of my significant other lies with their family. As well, they have helped me formulate strategies to manage my anxiety and stress that have affected my academic success. Further strategies that I have implemented and plan to implement are outlined in my academic plan which is attached.
Thank you so much for your time,
Ninya Stein
I am appealing to request to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year, to request to drop a PSYC 235 (2014) after the drop date, and to request CR standing in PSYC 100 (2014/2015).
Starting in the spring of 2014, I began to undergo a series of unanticipated events within my family and personal relationships that affected and have continued to affect my academics and day to day well being. These trials included taking on the responsibility as a primary support system for my significant other, who was and continues to undergo a battle with severe depression and anxiety. This included acting as a primary support during times of suicidal ideation, depression, and barrage of bouts of severe anxiety. While I am currently working with a counsellor to better manage my boundaries within this relationship, because of the responsibilities of the position I was in this past academic year have taken up much of my time as well as emotional and physical resources, and has left me feeling exhausted and a difficulty to focus on academics. One of most significant events during this relationship related strife occurred in June of 2014, during the weeks leading up to and during the date to drop courses without academic penalty, during which time my significant other was in the apex of their struggles with suicidal ideation and and I was in a situation where my time and efforts were put towards caring for their mental health. This continued into the fall and early winter of 2014/2015, during which time I had my midterm for PSYC 100, the negative academic result of which affected greatly impacted my final grade in the class. In addition, my family struggles, which are outlined below, affected my ability to prepare for my midterm exams, and also affected my abilities to attend labs for this course, which also negatively affected my final grade in this course.
During the late summer months of 2014, my family also started the process of undergoing financial strife with regards to interfamily management of finances and an unforeseen burden of the payment of a large line of credit being placed on my mother. This unanticipated large financial burden caused a large amount of immediate family conflict and stress as I acted as a liaison between members of my family during the fall and winter of 2014/2015 which was compounded with the fact of the previous divorce of my parents. The day to day struggles also included acting as a communication aid between my family and the seeking of legal advice and support. This in addition to the nature of the problem caused large amount of anxiety and emotional draining on a day to day basis, resulting in a loss of sleep and motivation surrounding my academic duties.
During the spring of 2015, I sought out professional counselling through Whitney Babcock and Arunima Khanna in HCDS at Queen's. They have helped me understand the boundaries I need to maintain in my personal and familial relationships, including helping me understand that the care of my significant other lies with their family. As well, they have helped me formulate strategies to manage my anxiety and stress that have affected my academic success. Further strategies that I have implemented and plan to implement are outlined in my academic plan which is attached.
Thank you so much for your time,
Ninya Stein