Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to formally appeal the decision requiring me to withdraw from Queen’s due to my cumulative GPA falling below 1.6. I take full responsibility for my academic performance last term. Through this letter, I hope to explain the personal challenges I faced, how they affected my academic decisions, and why I am requesting the opportunity to continue my studies.
In November 2024, my family told me that my granduncle might have a serious health issue related to his kidneys. When I was a child and my parents were often away for work, he was the one who looked after me and provided emotional support. He also experienced a great personal loss many years ago when his only child passed away in a car accident. Since then, we have shared a close bond, and I have always seen him as one of my greatest emotional supports.
His illness really worried me. It happened close to my finals and assignments, and seriously affected my focus and performance, which lead to a series of the problem, the most serious one is the failure in CISC121. When he had surgery in January 2025, my family told me he had developed kidney failure (stage 5 chronic kidney disease) and now required daily dialysis. He could no longer care for himself and had to rely on others for basic needs. This news hit me hard, and the emotional weight of it affected me throughout the winter term.
I felt intense worry and guilt because I couldn’t visit him over the Lunar New Year. I struggled to focus, felt exhausted mentally and physically, and lost over 13 kilograms by the end of the term. Despite this, I tried to keep up with my studies. I completed all required assignments, used the school’s exam bank to practice with past exams, and got support from a friend back home. Despite these efforts, I was still deeply affected by my granduncle’s illness, and it made it harder to stay focused and organized. Finally, I passed 5 courses
though the GPA wasn’t good.
After the term ended, I went home and began visiting him weekly. When we spoke, he encouraged me to stay strong and keep going. That support reminded me of why I want to keep trying.
Looking back now, I don’t think retaking CISC121 at that time was a wise choice. I was under a lot of stress, but I was so eager to fix my previous grade and pull up my GPA that I still choose it anyway. The truth is, I couldn’t handle it. Trying to push through a tough course while dealing with so much emotional pressure just made things worse. If I hadn’t taken it, I could’ve spent more time and energy on my other classes, and I’m confident my GPA would’ve been higher than now and met the requirement. This wasn’t a reflection of my academic ability, but rather a poor decision made under stress. I will apply the lessons I’ve learned from overloading myself in the past—especially from taking multiple challenging courses in my first and second year—and I will never overload my schedule again.
I understand that Queens expects students to take responsibility for both their academic performance and their recovery. I’ve reflected deeply on the difficulties I faced, and I now have a much clearer sense of how to recognize my limits and make better choices under pressure. This appeal is my way of showing that I’ve grown from the experience and that I’m ready to move forward with stronger judgment and a more balanced approach. I’m committed to the academic plan I’ve outlined and to earning back the trust of the university.
Finally, I truly value being part of the Queen’s community. The learning environment here pushes me to grow, and I don’t take that for granted. Given the exceptional circumstances I’ve described, I respectfully request that the university waive the one-year withdrawal requirement. I’m determined to continue my studies and prove that I can meet and exceed expectations.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Best regards,
Chendi Yuan
20383168
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to formally appeal the decision requiring me to withdraw from Queen’s due to my cumulative GPA falling below 1.6. I take full responsibility for my academic performance last term. Through this letter, I hope to explain the personal challenges I faced, how they affected my academic decisions, and why I am requesting the opportunity to continue my studies.
In November 2024, my family told me that my granduncle might have a serious health issue related to his kidneys. When I was a child and my parents were often away for work, he was the one who looked after me and provided emotional support. He also experienced a great personal loss many years ago when his only child passed away in a car accident. Since then, we have shared a close bond, and I have always seen him as one of my greatest emotional supports.
His illness really worried me. It happened close to my finals and assignments, and seriously affected my focus and performance, which lead to a series of the problem, the most serious one is the failure in CISC121. When he had surgery in January 2025, my family told me he had developed kidney failure (stage 5 chronic kidney disease) and now required daily dialysis. He could no longer care for himself and had to rely on others for basic needs. This news hit me hard, and the emotional weight of it affected me throughout the winter term.
I felt intense worry and guilt because I couldn’t visit him over the Lunar New Year. I struggled to focus, felt exhausted mentally and physically, and lost over 13 kilograms by the end of the term. Despite this, I tried to keep up with my studies. I completed all required assignments, used the school’s exam bank to practice with past exams, and got support from a friend back home. Despite these efforts, I was still deeply affected by my granduncle’s illness, and it made it harder to stay focused and organized. Finally, I passed 5 courses
though the GPA wasn’t good.
After the term ended, I went home and began visiting him weekly. When we spoke, he encouraged me to stay strong and keep going. That support reminded me of why I want to keep trying.
Looking back now, I don’t think retaking CISC121 at that time was a wise choice. I was under a lot of stress, but I was so eager to fix my previous grade and pull up my GPA that I still choose it anyway. The truth is, I couldn’t handle it. Trying to push through a tough course while dealing with so much emotional pressure just made things worse. If I hadn’t taken it, I could’ve spent more time and energy on my other classes, and I’m confident my GPA would’ve been higher than now and met the requirement. This wasn’t a reflection of my academic ability, but rather a poor decision made under stress. I will apply the lessons I’ve learned from overloading myself in the past—especially from taking multiple challenging courses in my first and second year—and I will never overload my schedule again.
I understand that Queens expects students to take responsibility for both their academic performance and their recovery. I’ve reflected deeply on the difficulties I faced, and I now have a much clearer sense of how to recognize my limits and make better choices under pressure. This appeal is my way of showing that I’ve grown from the experience and that I’m ready to move forward with stronger judgment and a more balanced approach. I’m committed to the academic plan I’ve outlined and to earning back the trust of the university.
Finally, I truly value being part of the Queen’s community. The learning environment here pushes me to grow, and I don’t take that for granted. Given the exceptional circumstances I’ve described, I respectfully request that the university waive the one-year withdrawal requirement. I’m determined to continue my studies and prove that I can meet and exceed expectations.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Best regards,
Chendi Yuan
20383168