Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Naaman,
I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the one-year deadline for submitting a petition regarding my Winter 2023 academic record. I understand that petitions are normally expected to be submitted within one year of the academic term in question; however, I hope the Faculty will consider the exceptional circumstances that prevented me from pursuing this process within that timeframe.
The circumstances that affected my academic performance during Winter 2023 extended well beyond the semester itself. In 2022, at the beginning of what would have been my third year of studies, I stepped away from Queen's due to significant personal challenges. I also began my degree during the COVID-19 while managing significant responsibilities at home. As a result, I never fully integrated into university life before the circumstances that led me to step away in 2022. This contributed to the difficulty I experienced in navigating my studies and, later, in re-engaging with processes following Winter 2023. In Winter 2023, I attempted to return through a small online course load. However, the circumstances that had led me to leave had not yet been resolved, and in hindsight, my return was premature. Although I wanted to continue progressing toward my degree, I was ultimately unable to participate meaningfully in coursework or succeed academically during that term.
Following Winter 2023, I remained significantly affected by these circumstances and became largely disengaged from academic life. My focus during this time was on gaining stability and managing my personal situation rather than navigating university processes. Although I understood that Winter 2023 had negatively affected my record, I was not emotionally/practically capable of revisiting that period or pursuing a petition within the standard timeframe of one year. At the time, my priority was simply rebuilding my capacity to function academically and personally.
When I returned to Queen's in 2024, I did so cautiously with a reduced course load. I was uncertain whether I would be able to complete my degree and focused primarily on rebuilding my confidence as a student. Rather than looking towards the past, I focused on successfully re-engaging with academic life and determining whether I could continue my studies. At that stage, I did not realistically believe that graduation or graduate study would be part of my future.
Recovery was not immediate. My return to academic life was gradual and occurred over several years. Rebuilding confidence in my abilities as a student took time, and I remained focused on moving forward academically rather than revisiting a period that I found difficult to process. As a result, I did not pursue a petition during this period, despite remaining aware of the impact Winter 2023 had on my academic record.
My academic record since returning more accurately reflects my abilities and commitment to my education than the Winter 2023 semester. This year, I completed my coursework, worked for the Alma Mater Society, participated in editorial and extracurricular activities, and prepared applications for graduate study. While I continued to experience significant personal loss during this year, I remained committed to education and successfully completed my degree requirements. These experiences have helped me rebuild both my academic confidence and my sense of future direction.
Throughout this period, I have also continued to receive support/guidance from my physician. With that support, as well as encouragement from university staff and faculty mentors such as Dr. David Haglund, I have been able to better process the circumstances surrounding Winter 2023 and reflect on their impact. Only through sustained academic success, ongoing support, and renewed confidence in my future did I reach a point where I felt capable of addressing Winter 2023 through the petition process.
I am submitting this request now because I have finally reached a place where I can properly revisit circumstances that I was previously unable to confront. The delay was not due to a lack of concern regarding my academic record. Rather, it reflects the time required to process those experiences, regain stability, and rebuild my confidence as a student. As I approach graduation and higher education, I reflected more seriously on my academic journey and the circumstances surrounding Winter 2023. This process encouraged me to revisit a period that I had previously been unable to address and seek consideration for those circumstances. As I prepare for the next stage of my education, I now have the perspective and stability necessary to advocate for myself in a way that I could not have done earlier.
I respectfully request that the Faculty grant a waiver of the petition deadline so that my underlying petition may be considered on its merits. Thank you for your time, consideration, and understanding. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have my request reviewed.
Sincerely,
Rhea Puri
Student Number: 20227980
Honours Bachelor of Arts, History and Political Studies Queen's University
I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the one-year deadline for submitting a petition regarding my Winter 2023 academic record. I understand that petitions are normally expected to be submitted within one year of the academic term in question; however, I hope the Faculty will consider the exceptional circumstances that prevented me from pursuing this process within that timeframe.
The circumstances that affected my academic performance during Winter 2023 extended well beyond the semester itself. In 2022, at the beginning of what would have been my third year of studies, I stepped away from Queen's due to significant personal challenges. I also began my degree during the COVID-19 while managing significant responsibilities at home. As a result, I never fully integrated into university life before the circumstances that led me to step away in 2022. This contributed to the difficulty I experienced in navigating my studies and, later, in re-engaging with processes following Winter 2023. In Winter 2023, I attempted to return through a small online course load. However, the circumstances that had led me to leave had not yet been resolved, and in hindsight, my return was premature. Although I wanted to continue progressing toward my degree, I was ultimately unable to participate meaningfully in coursework or succeed academically during that term.
Following Winter 2023, I remained significantly affected by these circumstances and became largely disengaged from academic life. My focus during this time was on gaining stability and managing my personal situation rather than navigating university processes. Although I understood that Winter 2023 had negatively affected my record, I was not emotionally/practically capable of revisiting that period or pursuing a petition within the standard timeframe of one year. At the time, my priority was simply rebuilding my capacity to function academically and personally.
When I returned to Queen's in 2024, I did so cautiously with a reduced course load. I was uncertain whether I would be able to complete my degree and focused primarily on rebuilding my confidence as a student. Rather than looking towards the past, I focused on successfully re-engaging with academic life and determining whether I could continue my studies. At that stage, I did not realistically believe that graduation or graduate study would be part of my future.
Recovery was not immediate. My return to academic life was gradual and occurred over several years. Rebuilding confidence in my abilities as a student took time, and I remained focused on moving forward academically rather than revisiting a period that I found difficult to process. As a result, I did not pursue a petition during this period, despite remaining aware of the impact Winter 2023 had on my academic record.
My academic record since returning more accurately reflects my abilities and commitment to my education than the Winter 2023 semester. This year, I completed my coursework, worked for the Alma Mater Society, participated in editorial and extracurricular activities, and prepared applications for graduate study. While I continued to experience significant personal loss during this year, I remained committed to education and successfully completed my degree requirements. These experiences have helped me rebuild both my academic confidence and my sense of future direction.
Throughout this period, I have also continued to receive support/guidance from my physician. With that support, as well as encouragement from university staff and faculty mentors such as Dr. David Haglund, I have been able to better process the circumstances surrounding Winter 2023 and reflect on their impact. Only through sustained academic success, ongoing support, and renewed confidence in my future did I reach a point where I felt capable of addressing Winter 2023 through the petition process.
I am submitting this request now because I have finally reached a place where I can properly revisit circumstances that I was previously unable to confront. The delay was not due to a lack of concern regarding my academic record. Rather, it reflects the time required to process those experiences, regain stability, and rebuild my confidence as a student. As I approach graduation and higher education, I reflected more seriously on my academic journey and the circumstances surrounding Winter 2023. This process encouraged me to revisit a period that I had previously been unable to address and seek consideration for those circumstances. As I prepare for the next stage of my education, I now have the perspective and stability necessary to advocate for myself in a way that I could not have done earlier.
I respectfully request that the Faculty grant a waiver of the petition deadline so that my underlying petition may be considered on its merits. Thank you for your time, consideration, and understanding. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have my request reviewed.
Sincerely,
Rhea Puri
Student Number: 20227980
Honours Bachelor of Arts, History and Political Studies Queen's University