Petition Letter
Sue Blake, Associate Dean
Queen¿¿s University
May 2, 2016
Hello,
My name is Amelia Churaman and I am going into my third year at Queen¿¿s, and I am majoring in Chemistry. I am appealing to drop the failed courses ANAT 216 (Winter 2016) and CHEM 223 (Winter 2016) from my transcript since these grades were obtained due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control.
The circumstances were of a personal nature, stemming from various mental issues that posed as great obstacles in my path for success at Queen¿¿s University. More specifically, these issues include severe anxiety disorder, and depression. I have dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life, and was medically diagnosed with both in August 2015. I tried treatment but nothing seemed to work and I became exasperated and discouraged. This led to me being depressed very severely. I was at my wits end. This feeling led into my second year, and was especially difficult in the Fall term. I was dealing with the death of a loved one in January of last year as well as a parent¿¿s alcoholism, and failed three courses (all of which are too late to appeal now). The stress from my anxiety, depression, grieving the death of my loved one, parental issues on top of failing three courses led me to the decision that I need to change my life for the better. I began therapy at HCDS at Queen¿¿s, and changed my study habits for the better. I began studying every day, reviewing my notes, and practicing problems for both Anatomy 216 and Chemistry 223. Even though I had been studying very hard and making diligent efforts to do well this term, the anxiety was still present and very distracting from my work. I would experience extreme panic attacks every time I thought about writing an exam that would essentially determine whether I passed or failed a course. I subsequently ended up failing both courses. I know that I can succeed in Chemistry as I have succeeded the lab components of all the courses I have taken. I also know that the steps I have taken to improve have worked seeing as that the rest of my grades were improving. I know that the process is slow and that it is an upward slope, but I am a very determined, strong-willed person and I am going to fix the issue at hand.
My GPA is very low as of now, at 1.25 cumulative, and my goal for 3rd year is to increase my GPA so that I can switch into the Honours program. I know that Chemistry and Queen¿¿s are both good for me, and I am taking steps to get better. I have started a course of anti-anxiety medication and will be looking to apply for an academic accommodation in the Fall 2016 term to help me with writing exams. I am determined not to let this happen again, and to nip this anxiety in the bud once and for all. I have consulted an academic advisor who encouraged me to appeal, as well as my counsellor at LaSalle who also encouraged me not to let the bad grades get me down and to try even harder, both of which I am doing.
I hope that you understand the nature of my appeal and that you can help me continue my path to success at Queen¿¿s University.
Thank you,
Amelia Churaman 10140439
Queen¿¿s University
May 2, 2016
Hello,
My name is Amelia Churaman and I am going into my third year at Queen¿¿s, and I am majoring in Chemistry. I am appealing to drop the failed courses ANAT 216 (Winter 2016) and CHEM 223 (Winter 2016) from my transcript since these grades were obtained due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control.
The circumstances were of a personal nature, stemming from various mental issues that posed as great obstacles in my path for success at Queen¿¿s University. More specifically, these issues include severe anxiety disorder, and depression. I have dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life, and was medically diagnosed with both in August 2015. I tried treatment but nothing seemed to work and I became exasperated and discouraged. This led to me being depressed very severely. I was at my wits end. This feeling led into my second year, and was especially difficult in the Fall term. I was dealing with the death of a loved one in January of last year as well as a parent¿¿s alcoholism, and failed three courses (all of which are too late to appeal now). The stress from my anxiety, depression, grieving the death of my loved one, parental issues on top of failing three courses led me to the decision that I need to change my life for the better. I began therapy at HCDS at Queen¿¿s, and changed my study habits for the better. I began studying every day, reviewing my notes, and practicing problems for both Anatomy 216 and Chemistry 223. Even though I had been studying very hard and making diligent efforts to do well this term, the anxiety was still present and very distracting from my work. I would experience extreme panic attacks every time I thought about writing an exam that would essentially determine whether I passed or failed a course. I subsequently ended up failing both courses. I know that I can succeed in Chemistry as I have succeeded the lab components of all the courses I have taken. I also know that the steps I have taken to improve have worked seeing as that the rest of my grades were improving. I know that the process is slow and that it is an upward slope, but I am a very determined, strong-willed person and I am going to fix the issue at hand.
My GPA is very low as of now, at 1.25 cumulative, and my goal for 3rd year is to increase my GPA so that I can switch into the Honours program. I know that Chemistry and Queen¿¿s are both good for me, and I am taking steps to get better. I have started a course of anti-anxiety medication and will be looking to apply for an academic accommodation in the Fall 2016 term to help me with writing exams. I am determined not to let this happen again, and to nip this anxiety in the bud once and for all. I have consulted an academic advisor who encouraged me to appeal, as well as my counsellor at LaSalle who also encouraged me not to let the bad grades get me down and to try even harder, both of which I am doing.
I hope that you understand the nature of my appeal and that you can help me continue my path to success at Queen¿¿s University.
Thank you,
Amelia Churaman 10140439