Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
The reason for this letter is to appeal for a credit standing in regards to my Stats 263 Summer Course from the Summer 2016 term.
The basis for this appeal is the substantial cognitive and emotional impact that my post-concussion symptoms imposed on me during my Stats 263 course. I sustained a concussion in the winter semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. I made it through the winter semester with very accommodating professors reaching out to me, and very generous marking. In addition, Dr. O¿¿Connor was incredibly helpful in guiding me through my recovery following my brain trauma. Unfortunately, this was my third concussion and as a result my recovery was much more delayed than anticipated or desired. In addition to barriers in sleep, knowledge acquisition, and concentration; my concussion led to mood issues. These symptoms resulted in reduced academic abilities, far lower than my typical abilities. I missed a month and a half of school during the winter semester, and my symptoms continued well into the summer. Moreover, my existing attention deficit (caused by my ADHD) was amplified by my post-concussion symptoms until late august of 2016. I experienced all of these symptoms in varying degrees from February 2016 to late august of 2016.
The extenuating circumstance of my concussion resulted in my earning of a D in Stats 263 Online, which in turn has affected my cumulative GPA quite drastically. You may notice that I performed very well in Music 171, but this was due to my extensive existing knowledge of music from high school, and a great deal of help from my best friend (who is a music major). My grade in Stats 263 will negatively impact my applications to graduate school, and may result in a drastically reduced ability to pursue my post-graduate academic goals. I wish to enter into either: a masters in policy, or to attend law school; after graduating from my current program, both of which are competitive fields. I fear that the limitations my concussion imposed on my performance will prevent me from achieving my dream pursuing post-graduate education.
I have done my best this academic year to better organize my academic workload. I am enrolled in 6 courses, however my 5th and 6th courses are for an Employment Relations Certificate, and as a result are pass fail. My other elective is CLST 205, a course which students typically perform well in.
Fortunately, my post-concussion symptoms have subsided and I believe that my academic abilities are back to near normal levels. Thus far, I have been able to read, write, and test at proficient level. By staying organized and recognizing when to reach out for help and the limits imposed by my past brain traumas, I plan to perform much better academically. I should have recognized the limitations imposed by my post-concussion symptoms, however an aspect of these symptoms is a lack of clarity or ¿¿fog¿. This fog continued well into august of 2016. This fog, combined with the peaking of my existing anxiety and depression, left me feeling embarrassed and unable to reach out for help. I felt as though my concussion symptoms represented who I was as a person, as opposed to barriers which I needed to address. I now recognize that this was very foolish. Additionally, my previous knowledge of Stats 263 material, gained from data management in high school, meant that I did not realize how limited my knowledge and skill acquisition was until after the drop period. As a financially independent student, exacerbated by my paranoia, I did not feel I could drop the course and lose the tuition for the course, which I had paid without financial assistance. This too was a mistake, which I now recognize.
I plan to continue to see Dr. Campbell through Queen¿¿s Psychiatry in order to address my ongoing struggles with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Moreover, I am working with Dr. O¿¿Connor and an Occupational Therapist in order to address my lingering symptoms. This should help me make more rational choices which will help my academics. I also plan to avoid any concussion prone activities in order to better protect myself from any further setbacks.
Best regards,
Hayden McKnight (Student 10153869).
The reason for this letter is to appeal for a credit standing in regards to my Stats 263 Summer Course from the Summer 2016 term.
The basis for this appeal is the substantial cognitive and emotional impact that my post-concussion symptoms imposed on me during my Stats 263 course. I sustained a concussion in the winter semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. I made it through the winter semester with very accommodating professors reaching out to me, and very generous marking. In addition, Dr. O¿¿Connor was incredibly helpful in guiding me through my recovery following my brain trauma. Unfortunately, this was my third concussion and as a result my recovery was much more delayed than anticipated or desired. In addition to barriers in sleep, knowledge acquisition, and concentration; my concussion led to mood issues. These symptoms resulted in reduced academic abilities, far lower than my typical abilities. I missed a month and a half of school during the winter semester, and my symptoms continued well into the summer. Moreover, my existing attention deficit (caused by my ADHD) was amplified by my post-concussion symptoms until late august of 2016. I experienced all of these symptoms in varying degrees from February 2016 to late august of 2016.
The extenuating circumstance of my concussion resulted in my earning of a D in Stats 263 Online, which in turn has affected my cumulative GPA quite drastically. You may notice that I performed very well in Music 171, but this was due to my extensive existing knowledge of music from high school, and a great deal of help from my best friend (who is a music major). My grade in Stats 263 will negatively impact my applications to graduate school, and may result in a drastically reduced ability to pursue my post-graduate academic goals. I wish to enter into either: a masters in policy, or to attend law school; after graduating from my current program, both of which are competitive fields. I fear that the limitations my concussion imposed on my performance will prevent me from achieving my dream pursuing post-graduate education.
I have done my best this academic year to better organize my academic workload. I am enrolled in 6 courses, however my 5th and 6th courses are for an Employment Relations Certificate, and as a result are pass fail. My other elective is CLST 205, a course which students typically perform well in.
Fortunately, my post-concussion symptoms have subsided and I believe that my academic abilities are back to near normal levels. Thus far, I have been able to read, write, and test at proficient level. By staying organized and recognizing when to reach out for help and the limits imposed by my past brain traumas, I plan to perform much better academically. I should have recognized the limitations imposed by my post-concussion symptoms, however an aspect of these symptoms is a lack of clarity or ¿¿fog¿. This fog continued well into august of 2016. This fog, combined with the peaking of my existing anxiety and depression, left me feeling embarrassed and unable to reach out for help. I felt as though my concussion symptoms represented who I was as a person, as opposed to barriers which I needed to address. I now recognize that this was very foolish. Additionally, my previous knowledge of Stats 263 material, gained from data management in high school, meant that I did not realize how limited my knowledge and skill acquisition was until after the drop period. As a financially independent student, exacerbated by my paranoia, I did not feel I could drop the course and lose the tuition for the course, which I had paid without financial assistance. This too was a mistake, which I now recognize.
I plan to continue to see Dr. Campbell through Queen¿¿s Psychiatry in order to address my ongoing struggles with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Moreover, I am working with Dr. O¿¿Connor and an Occupational Therapist in order to address my lingering symptoms. This should help me make more rational choices which will help my academics. I also plan to avoid any concussion prone activities in order to better protect myself from any further setbacks.
Best regards,
Hayden McKnight (Student 10153869).