Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to request late drops on two courses due to extenuating circumstances that significantly impacted my performance during the academic year.
Over the past year, I faced two significant challenges beyond my control. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD—a diagnosis I did not receive until after the school year concluded. This late diagnosis meant that I spent four years without access to appropriate accommodations, supports, or a complete understanding of how ADHD was affecting my focus, time management, and academic work. The challenges stemming from this undiagnosed condition persisted throughout both semesters this year, interfering with my ability to meet deadlines, stay organized, and maintain consistent academic performance. These challenges came to a head this year as I aged without resources and coping mechanisms, and as I coped with the illness and loss of my grandmother. While I have mostly managed the past four years without a diagnosis, though with some slips in grades, I know I can improve and be a better student now that I am receiving the medication and accommodations necessary for me to thrive.
Furthermore, during the first semester, my grandmother, who played a central role in my life, fell seriously ill. I was emotionally and practically involved in supporting my family through this period, as far as travelling to Europe to be present for the funeral, which created a significant strain on my mental health and academic focus. Her passing, which occurred in the middle of the second semester, along with her worsening illness throughout the first semester, had a profound emotional impact and further disrupted my capacity to engage fully with my coursework throughout the year.
Together, these circumstances affected my ability to complete assignments on time, perform consistently on exams, and maintain the academic standard I usually hold myself to. As you can see on my transcript, I did my best to manage these conditions, taking only four courses per semester and successfully earning decent grades in most of them; however, despite my best efforts, I fell short in one of my courses each semester. I reached out to my professors, sought accommodations, and tried my very hardest to remain consistent in all courses, but my personal and mental health challenges led me to disappoint. I did my best to manage these difficulties at the time, including seeking informal support, speaking with Queen's counselling services, and eventually pursuing medical evaluation, which led to my ADHD diagnosis. I am currently in the process of obtaining the necessary academic accommodations and supports.
I respectfully ask for consideration of these circumstances in the evaluation of my academic record and request to drop these two courses, which are having a detrimental impact on my GPA and possibly on my ability to pursue postgraduate studies. Thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
Mia Newby - 20270709
I am writing to request late drops on two courses due to extenuating circumstances that significantly impacted my performance during the academic year.
Over the past year, I faced two significant challenges beyond my control. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD—a diagnosis I did not receive until after the school year concluded. This late diagnosis meant that I spent four years without access to appropriate accommodations, supports, or a complete understanding of how ADHD was affecting my focus, time management, and academic work. The challenges stemming from this undiagnosed condition persisted throughout both semesters this year, interfering with my ability to meet deadlines, stay organized, and maintain consistent academic performance. These challenges came to a head this year as I aged without resources and coping mechanisms, and as I coped with the illness and loss of my grandmother. While I have mostly managed the past four years without a diagnosis, though with some slips in grades, I know I can improve and be a better student now that I am receiving the medication and accommodations necessary for me to thrive.
Furthermore, during the first semester, my grandmother, who played a central role in my life, fell seriously ill. I was emotionally and practically involved in supporting my family through this period, as far as travelling to Europe to be present for the funeral, which created a significant strain on my mental health and academic focus. Her passing, which occurred in the middle of the second semester, along with her worsening illness throughout the first semester, had a profound emotional impact and further disrupted my capacity to engage fully with my coursework throughout the year.
Together, these circumstances affected my ability to complete assignments on time, perform consistently on exams, and maintain the academic standard I usually hold myself to. As you can see on my transcript, I did my best to manage these conditions, taking only four courses per semester and successfully earning decent grades in most of them; however, despite my best efforts, I fell short in one of my courses each semester. I reached out to my professors, sought accommodations, and tried my very hardest to remain consistent in all courses, but my personal and mental health challenges led me to disappoint. I did my best to manage these difficulties at the time, including seeking informal support, speaking with Queen's counselling services, and eventually pursuing medical evaluation, which led to my ADHD diagnosis. I am currently in the process of obtaining the necessary academic accommodations and supports.
I respectfully ask for consideration of these circumstances in the evaluation of my academic record and request to drop these two courses, which are having a detrimental impact on my GPA and possibly on my ability to pursue postgraduate studies. Thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
Mia Newby - 20270709