Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Academic),
My name is Mehar Caur, and I am writing to respectfully appeal the Faculty’s decision requiring my withdrawal from Queen’s University for one year.
Over the past academic year, I experienced significant mental health challenges that substantially affected my academic functioning and exam performance. During this period, I struggled with persistent symptoms that impacted my concentration, stress tolerance, motivation, emotional regulation, and overall ability to function academically. These challenges became especially difficult during examination periods, where the additional stress intensified my symptoms and made it difficult for me to perform to my academic potential.
In addition to these ongoing challenges, I experienced the loss of close family members last year. The emotional impact of these losses continued to affect me throughout the academic year, particularly around the December and January examination period, which coincided with the one-year anniversary of their passing. This significantly worsened my condition during that time and contributed to my difficulty completing examinations successfully.
Despite these circumstances, I continued making every effort to remain engaged in my courses by attending classes whenever possible, completing assignments, and maintaining communication with instructors. I have completed all outstanding coursework, and for the courses affected by these circumstances, I submitted petitions for extended deferred examinations, which I will be writing this summer. I also currently have pending examinations for BIOL 205 and BIOL 206 scheduled for this month.
As a result, my current GPA does not yet accurately reflect my academic standing or capabilities, as several deferred examinations and pending course results have not yet been incorporated into my transcript. I believe the completion of these examinations will provide a more accurate representation of my academic abilities and commitment to my studies.
I have also been actively working to improve my condition and develop healthier strategies for managing academic stress. I continue to work closely with mental health supports and accessibility services, and we have specifically been focusing on improving my ability to manage examination-related stress in the same way I have gradually learned to better manage assignments and coursework responsibilities. While exams continue to be an area of difficulty for me, I have made meaningful progress in understanding my challenges and implementing strategies to address them.
I fully understand the seriousness of my academic situation and have reflected carefully on the steps necessary for my future success. I remain deeply committed to my education and to continuing my studies at Queen’s University with the appropriate supports and strategies in place. I genuinely believe that my academic difficulties were the result of significant extenuating circumstances rather than a lack of effort or dedication.
With the progress I have made, the support systems now in place, and the completion of my pending examinations, I am confident in my ability to return to good academic standing.
I respectfully ask to consider waiving the requirement to withdraw and to allow me the opportunity to continue my studies while completing the deferred examinations and petition processes currently underway.
Thank you very much for your time, consideration, and understanding.
Sincerely,
Mehar Caur
20272423
My name is Mehar Caur, and I am writing to respectfully appeal the Faculty’s decision requiring my withdrawal from Queen’s University for one year.
Over the past academic year, I experienced significant mental health challenges that substantially affected my academic functioning and exam performance. During this period, I struggled with persistent symptoms that impacted my concentration, stress tolerance, motivation, emotional regulation, and overall ability to function academically. These challenges became especially difficult during examination periods, where the additional stress intensified my symptoms and made it difficult for me to perform to my academic potential.
In addition to these ongoing challenges, I experienced the loss of close family members last year. The emotional impact of these losses continued to affect me throughout the academic year, particularly around the December and January examination period, which coincided with the one-year anniversary of their passing. This significantly worsened my condition during that time and contributed to my difficulty completing examinations successfully.
Despite these circumstances, I continued making every effort to remain engaged in my courses by attending classes whenever possible, completing assignments, and maintaining communication with instructors. I have completed all outstanding coursework, and for the courses affected by these circumstances, I submitted petitions for extended deferred examinations, which I will be writing this summer. I also currently have pending examinations for BIOL 205 and BIOL 206 scheduled for this month.
As a result, my current GPA does not yet accurately reflect my academic standing or capabilities, as several deferred examinations and pending course results have not yet been incorporated into my transcript. I believe the completion of these examinations will provide a more accurate representation of my academic abilities and commitment to my studies.
I have also been actively working to improve my condition and develop healthier strategies for managing academic stress. I continue to work closely with mental health supports and accessibility services, and we have specifically been focusing on improving my ability to manage examination-related stress in the same way I have gradually learned to better manage assignments and coursework responsibilities. While exams continue to be an area of difficulty for me, I have made meaningful progress in understanding my challenges and implementing strategies to address them.
I fully understand the seriousness of my academic situation and have reflected carefully on the steps necessary for my future success. I remain deeply committed to my education and to continuing my studies at Queen’s University with the appropriate supports and strategies in place. I genuinely believe that my academic difficulties were the result of significant extenuating circumstances rather than a lack of effort or dedication.
With the progress I have made, the support systems now in place, and the completion of my pending examinations, I am confident in my ability to return to good academic standing.
I respectfully ask to consider waiving the requirement to withdraw and to allow me the opportunity to continue my studies while completing the deferred examinations and petition processes currently underway.
Thank you very much for your time, consideration, and understanding.
Sincerely,
Mehar Caur
20272423