Petition Letter
June 14, 2026
Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Petitions Committee
Queen’s University
Dear Members of the Academic Petitions Committee,
I am writing to respectfully petition for the waiver of my Requirement to Withdraw.
Over the past several years, I have struggled with severe anxiety that significantly impacted my academic performance. During this period, I sought support through Queen’s counseling services, where I met with Pamela Hall. At that time, my anxiety had become severe enough that it was affecting my daily functioning and ability to participate fully in university life. I am currently gathering documentation related to my counseling history and will submit it as soon as it becomes available.
My anxiety affected me in ways that went beyond normal academic stress. Although I genuinely wanted to attend classes and succeed in my courses, I frequently experienced overwhelming anxiety when attempting to attend lectures. There were many occasions when I would walk to a lecture hall or auditorium intending to attend class, only to experience an intense wave of anxiety and panic that prevented me from entering. This led to missed classes, difficulty keeping up with course material, and a gradual decline in my academic performance.
Several personal and family-related challenges further intensified my anxiety during this period. I also struggled with significant self-confidence issues and a persistent fear of being judged by others, which made engaging in academic and social settings increasingly difficult. These challenges affected my ability to fully participate in classes, seek help when needed, and maintain the level of academic engagement necessary for success.
While I take full responsibility for my academic record, I believe my performance during this period does not accurately reflect my abilities or potential as a student. The difficulties I experienced were not due to a lack of effort or commitment to my education but rather the substantial impact that severe anxiety had on my ability to function effectively in an academic environment.
Since that time, I have worked diligently to improve both my mental and physical well-being. I have adopted healthier routines, including regular exercise and weight loss, which have had a significant positive impact on my confidence, anxiety management, and overall mental health. As a result, I am in a much stronger position academically and personally than I was when these challenges were at their worst.
To demonstrate my commitment to academic improvement, I am currently enrolled in two summer courses that I previously failed: MATH 121 and BCHM 218. My performance in these courses reflects the progress I have made. In BCHM 218, I have achieved near-perfect grades on quizzes and earned 84% on a major assignment. In MATH 121, I have consistently maintained grades in the mid-90s on homework and coursework. These results are evidence that, with my anxiety better managed, I am capable of performing successfully at the university level.
I understand the seriousness of my academic standing and the responsibility that comes with requesting this exception. I am fully committed to continuing the strategies and habits that have contributed to my recent success and to seeking support whenever necessary. I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the significant impact that anxiety had on my academic performance, the steps I have taken to address these challenges, and the evidence of my renewed academic capability.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to present my circumstances and respectfully request the chance to continue my studies at Queen’s University.
Sincerely,
Youssef Elamrani
Student Number: 20371138
Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Petitions Committee
Queen’s University
Dear Members of the Academic Petitions Committee,
I am writing to respectfully petition for the waiver of my Requirement to Withdraw.
Over the past several years, I have struggled with severe anxiety that significantly impacted my academic performance. During this period, I sought support through Queen’s counseling services, where I met with Pamela Hall. At that time, my anxiety had become severe enough that it was affecting my daily functioning and ability to participate fully in university life. I am currently gathering documentation related to my counseling history and will submit it as soon as it becomes available.
My anxiety affected me in ways that went beyond normal academic stress. Although I genuinely wanted to attend classes and succeed in my courses, I frequently experienced overwhelming anxiety when attempting to attend lectures. There were many occasions when I would walk to a lecture hall or auditorium intending to attend class, only to experience an intense wave of anxiety and panic that prevented me from entering. This led to missed classes, difficulty keeping up with course material, and a gradual decline in my academic performance.
Several personal and family-related challenges further intensified my anxiety during this period. I also struggled with significant self-confidence issues and a persistent fear of being judged by others, which made engaging in academic and social settings increasingly difficult. These challenges affected my ability to fully participate in classes, seek help when needed, and maintain the level of academic engagement necessary for success.
While I take full responsibility for my academic record, I believe my performance during this period does not accurately reflect my abilities or potential as a student. The difficulties I experienced were not due to a lack of effort or commitment to my education but rather the substantial impact that severe anxiety had on my ability to function effectively in an academic environment.
Since that time, I have worked diligently to improve both my mental and physical well-being. I have adopted healthier routines, including regular exercise and weight loss, which have had a significant positive impact on my confidence, anxiety management, and overall mental health. As a result, I am in a much stronger position academically and personally than I was when these challenges were at their worst.
To demonstrate my commitment to academic improvement, I am currently enrolled in two summer courses that I previously failed: MATH 121 and BCHM 218. My performance in these courses reflects the progress I have made. In BCHM 218, I have achieved near-perfect grades on quizzes and earned 84% on a major assignment. In MATH 121, I have consistently maintained grades in the mid-90s on homework and coursework. These results are evidence that, with my anxiety better managed, I am capable of performing successfully at the university level.
I understand the seriousness of my academic standing and the responsibility that comes with requesting this exception. I am fully committed to continuing the strategies and habits that have contributed to my recent success and to seeking support whenever necessary. I respectfully ask the Committee to consider the significant impact that anxiety had on my academic performance, the steps I have taken to address these challenges, and the evidence of my renewed academic capability.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to present my circumstances and respectfully request the chance to continue my studies at Queen’s University.
Sincerely,
Youssef Elamrani
Student Number: 20371138