Petition Letter
I am petitioning the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from the Faculty of Arts
and Science for a minimum of three years. I understand my academic performance so far does not meet the standard set by Queen’s. I am grateful for the opportunity to explain my situation and my plan going forward to make sure I will succeed.
In my first two years of study at Queen’s I was struggling with severe undiagnosed ADHD. I didn’t understand why I was struggling so much and it led me into a deep depressive spiral. In my second year I booked an appointment with my family doctor to understand more about ADHD and if I had it. After a few tests my doctor started me on Concerta, also known as methylphenidate hcl. The medication was helpful but at this point I was required to take 1 year off and I thought it would be for the best as well. I spent the year working on rebuilding a routine and being able to focus on important tasks in a timely manner. The medicine was helpful but I needed direction, so near the beginning of 2024 I started therapy, working with someone who is experienced in helping youth who struggle with ADHD. My therapist and I have worked together for over a year to help me recover from my depression and severe ADHD. Unfortunately at that time my family doctor stated he was taking a break from his work, and I lost my prescription for Concerta. My therapist and I continued to work together in this time despite the setback. I tried many different sources of tutoring to help with studying. I was with Varsity Tutors for my first two years at Queen’s but the online format wasn’t very helpful for me. When I came back in 2024 I looked for alternatives and found ASUS Tutoring in my 2025 winter semester. ASUS Tutoring was working great, I found that it really helped me understand topics a lot better when working in person with my tutors. I was getting tutored for all of my classes for the 2025 winter semester until the TA strike occurred. During the strike I wasn’t receiving tutoring and a lot of the weighting from assignments were shifted around.
and Science for a minimum of three years. I understand my academic performance so far does not meet the standard set by Queen’s. I am grateful for the opportunity to explain my situation and my plan going forward to make sure I will succeed.
In my first two years of study at Queen’s I was struggling with severe undiagnosed ADHD. I didn’t understand why I was struggling so much and it led me into a deep depressive spiral. In my second year I booked an appointment with my family doctor to understand more about ADHD and if I had it. After a few tests my doctor started me on Concerta, also known as methylphenidate hcl. The medication was helpful but at this point I was required to take 1 year off and I thought it would be for the best as well. I spent the year working on rebuilding a routine and being able to focus on important tasks in a timely manner. The medicine was helpful but I needed direction, so near the beginning of 2024 I started therapy, working with someone who is experienced in helping youth who struggle with ADHD. My therapist and I have worked together for over a year to help me recover from my depression and severe ADHD. Unfortunately at that time my family doctor stated he was taking a break from his work, and I lost my prescription for Concerta. My therapist and I continued to work together in this time despite the setback. I tried many different sources of tutoring to help with studying. I was with Varsity Tutors for my first two years at Queen’s but the online format wasn’t very helpful for me. When I came back in 2024 I looked for alternatives and found ASUS Tutoring in my 2025 winter semester. ASUS Tutoring was working great, I found that it really helped me understand topics a lot better when working in person with my tutors. I was getting tutored for all of my classes for the 2025 winter semester until the TA strike occurred. During the strike I wasn’t receiving tutoring and a lot of the weighting from assignments were shifted around.