Petition Letter
Dr. Bénard,
Three years ago, I wanted nothing more to do with Queen's.
Despite repeated efforts, I was unsuccessful in balancing the two competing full-time demands of both academic courses and professional work, and each one suffered as a consequence. Ultimately, I had to settle on one option. In choosing work as my way forward, I felt as though I was closing the door on Queen's.
Fortunately, this stabilized my schedule and direction. Three years on with TD Bank, I have worked my way up from a branch teller to an analyst in risk management.
Although on a different schedule to most, I am now prepared to similarly succeed with my undergraduate career, and many factors will now support me in doing so. I have developed valuable professional finance and economics experience, I am buoyed and encouraged by my partner (a Dean's list student with two Queen's degrees), but most of all, I have developed perspective that I lacked at that time. I recognize now that a degree earned from Queen's is a valuable asset that I will benefit from forever.
It is now time to complete my remaining degree requirements, and finish what I began almost seven years ago. A fair number of credits are outstanding in my plan, so it will require a lengthy and diligent effort to gradually complete each one and reach the conclusion of this chapter.
To ensure my success, it will be critically important to appropriately manage my time and priorities. While I have selected certain courses later in my plan to meet the economics requirements as well as incorporate my interests and professional experience, I will begin my return to studies more slowly.
Initially, I will pace my workload by enrolling in foundational courses via distance learning in order to focus my attention, transition into an academic environment, demonstrate mastery of the work required, and begin to raise my cumulative GPA. While I do have the opportunity to return to Kingston periodically, as I used to during my partner's Master's degree, I will not do so until further on in this journey, once I have demonstrated to the administration that my academic issues have been resolved.
My view at the time of my withdrawal was that Queen's should have to change to accommodate my needs, but in the intervening years I have recognized that I was blocking my own path forward. I have benefited greatly from what I learned while I was at Queen's (despite what my transcript might indicate), and I will continue to learn and grow as I participate in further courses.
Thank you for considering my return to studies application, and I hope to see you at Queen's
Best,
Kyle
Three years ago, I wanted nothing more to do with Queen's.
Despite repeated efforts, I was unsuccessful in balancing the two competing full-time demands of both academic courses and professional work, and each one suffered as a consequence. Ultimately, I had to settle on one option. In choosing work as my way forward, I felt as though I was closing the door on Queen's.
Fortunately, this stabilized my schedule and direction. Three years on with TD Bank, I have worked my way up from a branch teller to an analyst in risk management.
Although on a different schedule to most, I am now prepared to similarly succeed with my undergraduate career, and many factors will now support me in doing so. I have developed valuable professional finance and economics experience, I am buoyed and encouraged by my partner (a Dean's list student with two Queen's degrees), but most of all, I have developed perspective that I lacked at that time. I recognize now that a degree earned from Queen's is a valuable asset that I will benefit from forever.
It is now time to complete my remaining degree requirements, and finish what I began almost seven years ago. A fair number of credits are outstanding in my plan, so it will require a lengthy and diligent effort to gradually complete each one and reach the conclusion of this chapter.
To ensure my success, it will be critically important to appropriately manage my time and priorities. While I have selected certain courses later in my plan to meet the economics requirements as well as incorporate my interests and professional experience, I will begin my return to studies more slowly.
Initially, I will pace my workload by enrolling in foundational courses via distance learning in order to focus my attention, transition into an academic environment, demonstrate mastery of the work required, and begin to raise my cumulative GPA. While I do have the opportunity to return to Kingston periodically, as I used to during my partner's Master's degree, I will not do so until further on in this journey, once I have demonstrated to the administration that my academic issues have been resolved.
My view at the time of my withdrawal was that Queen's should have to change to accommodate my needs, but in the intervening years I have recognized that I was blocking my own path forward. I have benefited greatly from what I learned while I was at Queen's (despite what my transcript might indicate), and I will continue to learn and grow as I participate in further courses.
Thank you for considering my return to studies application, and I hope to see you at Queen's
Best,
Kyle