Petition Letter
To the Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing the 21- day/ one term appeal deadline in regards to seven courses taken during the 2014/2015 academic year.
This is not the first appeal letter I have written to the University and the situation remains the same as before. In fact, they are the same extenuating circumstances that helped me write my PSE when I first applied to Queen's in 2010/2011. My mother was a severe alcoholic my whole life and because of her disease I have faced an incredible amount of adversity. I was able to overcome and temporarily conquer those challenges; I guess ironically I drew my strength from my relationship with her. She got cancer in 2013 and that mountain I thought I was finally at the summit of, crumbled beneath me. She died 6 months later and I found myself in a very dark place and for the first time in my life I had no idea how to fight my way out. I underestimated how long it would take me to find my way back and was determined to succeed in spite of everything. I wasn't mentally or emotionally prepared to come back to school in 2014, but I was scared to admit that to anyone and so I stayed, failing all of my courses, but at least I had stuck it out. I told my family and friends that I wouldn't be returning to university after that because it 'wasn't for me', what I failed to recognize at the time was that- that wasn't me. Going to university has always been my dream and I wasn't ready to give that up.
I took a year off of school during which time I reconnected with family and allowed myself to grieve. I also changed my program after re-examining my academic goals and strengths.
Returning to Queen's has been a great experience. After a successful fall, term I feel confident about my ability to finish my degree. I fully realize and accept that the challenges I have experienced are ongoing and I am prepared to meet those challenges with the support of Queen's Student Academic Success Services as well as Student Wellness Services.
I look forward to graduating and continuing my education after that, either through law school or a master's program- I haven't decided yet. I do know that I don't want any doors to be closed because of how unprepared I was to face such a terrible loss. Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Charlotte Webb
10010128
I am appealing the 21- day/ one term appeal deadline in regards to seven courses taken during the 2014/2015 academic year.
This is not the first appeal letter I have written to the University and the situation remains the same as before. In fact, they are the same extenuating circumstances that helped me write my PSE when I first applied to Queen's in 2010/2011. My mother was a severe alcoholic my whole life and because of her disease I have faced an incredible amount of adversity. I was able to overcome and temporarily conquer those challenges; I guess ironically I drew my strength from my relationship with her. She got cancer in 2013 and that mountain I thought I was finally at the summit of, crumbled beneath me. She died 6 months later and I found myself in a very dark place and for the first time in my life I had no idea how to fight my way out. I underestimated how long it would take me to find my way back and was determined to succeed in spite of everything. I wasn't mentally or emotionally prepared to come back to school in 2014, but I was scared to admit that to anyone and so I stayed, failing all of my courses, but at least I had stuck it out. I told my family and friends that I wouldn't be returning to university after that because it 'wasn't for me', what I failed to recognize at the time was that- that wasn't me. Going to university has always been my dream and I wasn't ready to give that up.
I took a year off of school during which time I reconnected with family and allowed myself to grieve. I also changed my program after re-examining my academic goals and strengths.
Returning to Queen's has been a great experience. After a successful fall, term I feel confident about my ability to finish my degree. I fully realize and accept that the challenges I have experienced are ongoing and I am prepared to meet those challenges with the support of Queen's Student Academic Success Services as well as Student Wellness Services.
I look forward to graduating and continuing my education after that, either through law school or a master's program- I haven't decided yet. I do know that I don't want any doors to be closed because of how unprepared I was to face such a terrible loss. Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Charlotte Webb
10010128