Academic Plan
My goal is to complete a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Political Studies with a minor in English over the next two academic years. I am currently entering my fourth year and planning to take a fifth year to finish my program. With the help of academic advising and department chairs, I’ve created a clear plan that allows me to complete all remaining degree requirements remotely while continuing to prioritize my health, safety, and academic success.
I have already reached out to Professor Rachel Laforest (Chair, Undergraduate Political Studies) and Professor Laura Murray (Acting Chair, Undergraduate English) to request a formal transfer from the general Political Studies BA into the Honours Political Studies program with an English minor. Based on my current progress, I have 60.0 credits remaining: 15.0 units for the English minor, 33.0 elective units, and 12.0 required POLS units. All of my English and elective courses are available through Queen’s Arts and Science Online, and I intend to complete them there. The only outstanding credits that cannot be fulfilled remotely through Queen’s are the final 12.0 units of Political Studies, which I am petitioning to complete through Athabasca University or another accredited online institution via a Letter of Permission.
This past academic year, I completed courses as a visiting student at UBC (12.0 units of POLS 300 level) while taking my electives through Queens ArtSci Online, and that shift to remote study made a remarkable difference in both my academic performance and mental health. The trauma I experienced earlier in my time at Queen’s made it incredibly difficult to function in the Queen's campus environment, and returning in person remains a significant barrier to my success. Being able to study remotely is what allowed me to re-engage with my education and regain a sense of direction. I’m determined to stay on this upward path.
To support my academic success going forward, I will continue building on the structure that worked so well for me this past year: managing a full course load across Queen’s Online and an approved host institution, staying in regular communication with academic advisors, and using academic planning tools such as SOLUS, and the Degree Plan Checklist. I also plan to maintain access to mental health support and continue part-time work, both of which give me additional stability.
With this plan in place, I am confident in my ability to complete my degree by the end of my fifth year, with a stronger GPA and clear post-graduate goals. I am committed to finishing my studies at Queen’s with focus, purpose, and integrity.
I have already reached out to Professor Rachel Laforest (Chair, Undergraduate Political Studies) and Professor Laura Murray (Acting Chair, Undergraduate English) to request a formal transfer from the general Political Studies BA into the Honours Political Studies program with an English minor. Based on my current progress, I have 60.0 credits remaining: 15.0 units for the English minor, 33.0 elective units, and 12.0 required POLS units. All of my English and elective courses are available through Queen’s Arts and Science Online, and I intend to complete them there. The only outstanding credits that cannot be fulfilled remotely through Queen’s are the final 12.0 units of Political Studies, which I am petitioning to complete through Athabasca University or another accredited online institution via a Letter of Permission.
This past academic year, I completed courses as a visiting student at UBC (12.0 units of POLS 300 level) while taking my electives through Queens ArtSci Online, and that shift to remote study made a remarkable difference in both my academic performance and mental health. The trauma I experienced earlier in my time at Queen’s made it incredibly difficult to function in the Queen's campus environment, and returning in person remains a significant barrier to my success. Being able to study remotely is what allowed me to re-engage with my education and regain a sense of direction. I’m determined to stay on this upward path.
To support my academic success going forward, I will continue building on the structure that worked so well for me this past year: managing a full course load across Queen’s Online and an approved host institution, staying in regular communication with academic advisors, and using academic planning tools such as SOLUS, and the Degree Plan Checklist. I also plan to maintain access to mental health support and continue part-time work, both of which give me additional stability.
With this plan in place, I am confident in my ability to complete my degree by the end of my fifth year, with a stronger GPA and clear post-graduate goals. I am committed to finishing my studies at Queen’s with focus, purpose, and integrity.