Petition Letter
Petition Letter
Dear Members of the Academic Review Committee,
I am writing to petition for credit standing in CHEM 112. I respectfully request that my circumstances be taken into consideration.
Extenuating Circumstances:
This past academic year marked a significant transition for me: my first time living away from home, in a new province, separated from my family and support. Adjusting to the demands of university life while navigating a completely new environment proved to be emotionally overwhelming. In the early part of the term, I began experiencing severe mental health issues, including anxiety and depressive episodes, which were later diagnosed and for which I sought professional support.
The mental illness significantly impacted my ability to maintain a regular schedule, attend lectures, participate in weekly labs, and make use of office hours. Despite my efforts to keep up, I found myself increasingly isolated and struggling to cope with coursework demands.
Compounding these challenges, the TA strike led to cancellation of all labs and most support for chemistry. My primary recourse for assistance, the TAs, was unavailable throughout the strike; I did not receive help to my questions until after the final examination. Without access to these crucial support structures, I was left without guidance on assignments and lab knowledge, further hindering my ability to complete required work and prepare adequately for evaluations.
Impact on Academic Performance:
- Lectures and Labs: Missed multiple lectures and all labs and work sessions throughout the strike, resulting in gaps in my understanding of course material and lab procedures.
- Office Hours and Support: Unable to schedule or receive timely assistance, which delayed my comprehension of critical concepts and feedback on assignments.
- Assignments & Exams: My performance suffered as I lacked both the mental capacity and instructional support necessary to understand course content.
To address my mental health, I began regular appointments with a counselor, and have been following a treatment plan that has improved my well‐being.
Conclusion:
I recognize the importance of meeting academic standards at Queen’s University. Under normal circumstances, I fully intend to uphold those standards and succeed in my studies. However, the combination of severe mental illness and the prolonged lack of instructional support due to the TA strike was beyond my control and directly undermined my performance in this course.
I respectfully request that the Committee grant credit standing for CHEM112 on the basis of extenuating circumstances, so that I may continue my program without further penalty. I will attach my proof as the supporting document.
Thank you for your careful consideration. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required.
Sincerely,
Angela Wu
Dear Members of the Academic Review Committee,
I am writing to petition for credit standing in CHEM 112. I respectfully request that my circumstances be taken into consideration.
Extenuating Circumstances:
This past academic year marked a significant transition for me: my first time living away from home, in a new province, separated from my family and support. Adjusting to the demands of university life while navigating a completely new environment proved to be emotionally overwhelming. In the early part of the term, I began experiencing severe mental health issues, including anxiety and depressive episodes, which were later diagnosed and for which I sought professional support.
The mental illness significantly impacted my ability to maintain a regular schedule, attend lectures, participate in weekly labs, and make use of office hours. Despite my efforts to keep up, I found myself increasingly isolated and struggling to cope with coursework demands.
Compounding these challenges, the TA strike led to cancellation of all labs and most support for chemistry. My primary recourse for assistance, the TAs, was unavailable throughout the strike; I did not receive help to my questions until after the final examination. Without access to these crucial support structures, I was left without guidance on assignments and lab knowledge, further hindering my ability to complete required work and prepare adequately for evaluations.
Impact on Academic Performance:
- Lectures and Labs: Missed multiple lectures and all labs and work sessions throughout the strike, resulting in gaps in my understanding of course material and lab procedures.
- Office Hours and Support: Unable to schedule or receive timely assistance, which delayed my comprehension of critical concepts and feedback on assignments.
- Assignments & Exams: My performance suffered as I lacked both the mental capacity and instructional support necessary to understand course content.
To address my mental health, I began regular appointments with a counselor, and have been following a treatment plan that has improved my well‐being.
Conclusion:
I recognize the importance of meeting academic standards at Queen’s University. Under normal circumstances, I fully intend to uphold those standards and succeed in my studies. However, the combination of severe mental illness and the prolonged lack of instructional support due to the TA strike was beyond my control and directly undermined my performance in this course.
I respectfully request that the Committee grant credit standing for CHEM112 on the basis of extenuating circumstances, so that I may continue my program without further penalty. I will attach my proof as the supporting document.
Thank you for your careful consideration. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required.
Sincerely,
Angela Wu