Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing with deep humility and sincerity to appeal the request for my withdrawal from Bachelor of Science at Queen’s University. I recognize how serious this situation is, and I want to express how truly sorry and ashamed I feel to be submitting a second appeal. I never imagined I would be in this position again, but I am asking for one more chance to continue my education and prove what I’m capable of.
Last year, I was placed on academic probation during a very difficult time in my life. I was transitioning from living in an unstable household with a single parent, which took a significant toll on my mental health and ability to focus on school. Despite that, I submitted a plan and fully intended to follow through on it. Unfortunately, this past year brought a new wave of challenges that I struggled to manage.
I hate making excuses, this is truly a low and weak moment for me, but being vulnerable I went through a surgical abortion this year and was recently diagnosed with severe anxiety. I’ve since been prescribed antidepressants and have been taking steps toward stability, including trying to access therapy through Queen’s. I began working as a sports journalist for Queen’s Campus Radio through the work study program, a role that gave me a renewed sense of purpose and connection. I truly started building a life for myself in Kingston, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was creating space away from the chaos and harm I experienced at home.
Being asked to withdraw now, especially if it means returning home, would severely impact my mental health. I don’t have a safe or stable environment to return to, and being in Kingston has been a critical part of my healing process. I’ve made genuine efforts to get help, to stay engaged with my interests, and to get better, but I’ve fallen short, and I accept responsibility for that.
That said, I do not want to give up, I want to prove to myself and to this University. I want more than anything to continue my studies. I had hoped to take summer courses to begin catching up, and if possible, I would be more than willing to return as a part-time or online student for a semester or a full year, whatever it takes to remain connected and continue making progress while prioritizing my mental health.
I also want to confirm that I will be able to provide medical documentation to support this appeal, including details of my diagnosis and treatment. I have a phone appointment scheduled for this coming Monday and will submit the documents as soon as they are available.
I know this is not the path I imagined for myself, and I understand the responsibility your office carries in upholding academic standards. But I am asking sincerely not to be given up on. All I want is the chance to move forward and continue building the future I’m trying so hard to create for myself.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal. I understand the severity of this, I know the risks of trusting my words, I am truly ashamed but I really need this degree, I need to do this for me. There's nothing more I wanted then to succeed academically at Queen's, but mental health is no joke, for a long time I've been at war internally, and I believed it was all in my head, I am thankful I have finally been able to begin receiving the proper care I needed this year.
Please let me know if any further information is needed I would be more than willing to speak with you directly.
Sincerely,
Isabella Garrido
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing with deep humility and sincerity to appeal the request for my withdrawal from Bachelor of Science at Queen’s University. I recognize how serious this situation is, and I want to express how truly sorry and ashamed I feel to be submitting a second appeal. I never imagined I would be in this position again, but I am asking for one more chance to continue my education and prove what I’m capable of.
Last year, I was placed on academic probation during a very difficult time in my life. I was transitioning from living in an unstable household with a single parent, which took a significant toll on my mental health and ability to focus on school. Despite that, I submitted a plan and fully intended to follow through on it. Unfortunately, this past year brought a new wave of challenges that I struggled to manage.
I hate making excuses, this is truly a low and weak moment for me, but being vulnerable I went through a surgical abortion this year and was recently diagnosed with severe anxiety. I’ve since been prescribed antidepressants and have been taking steps toward stability, including trying to access therapy through Queen’s. I began working as a sports journalist for Queen’s Campus Radio through the work study program, a role that gave me a renewed sense of purpose and connection. I truly started building a life for myself in Kingston, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was creating space away from the chaos and harm I experienced at home.
Being asked to withdraw now, especially if it means returning home, would severely impact my mental health. I don’t have a safe or stable environment to return to, and being in Kingston has been a critical part of my healing process. I’ve made genuine efforts to get help, to stay engaged with my interests, and to get better, but I’ve fallen short, and I accept responsibility for that.
That said, I do not want to give up, I want to prove to myself and to this University. I want more than anything to continue my studies. I had hoped to take summer courses to begin catching up, and if possible, I would be more than willing to return as a part-time or online student for a semester or a full year, whatever it takes to remain connected and continue making progress while prioritizing my mental health.
I also want to confirm that I will be able to provide medical documentation to support this appeal, including details of my diagnosis and treatment. I have a phone appointment scheduled for this coming Monday and will submit the documents as soon as they are available.
I know this is not the path I imagined for myself, and I understand the responsibility your office carries in upholding academic standards. But I am asking sincerely not to be given up on. All I want is the chance to move forward and continue building the future I’m trying so hard to create for myself.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal. I understand the severity of this, I know the risks of trusting my words, I am truly ashamed but I really need this degree, I need to do this for me. There's nothing more I wanted then to succeed academically at Queen's, but mental health is no joke, for a long time I've been at war internally, and I believed it was all in my head, I am thankful I have finally been able to begin receiving the proper care I needed this year.
Please let me know if any further information is needed I would be more than willing to speak with you directly.
Sincerely,
Isabella Garrido