Academic Plan
During my two meetings with academic counselors, once before arriving this past September and once just before second semester began, I was advised that retaking some first-year courses would be beneficial to my GPA, and would allow me to focus on harder, core second-year courses. Though I rejected this idea at these times, I now understand how this may be helpful in reducing overall academic stress. As such, I would like to retake a number of first and second year courses in order to create a solid foundation going forward.
My aim is to be accepted into a Chemistry plan. From my last meeting with an advisor, I learned I would need to improve my GPA to be accepted into a plan. For now, I have been advised to prepare alternatives to courses in the case that I am unable to find space. I have listed some of the alternatives recommended below. This way, should I not find room in a given core course, I can still make progress toward my goal, and improve my GPA to a point where I can enter my desired program.
These things duly considered, I have chosen the following courses:
CHEM 211, 212, 213
STAT 263
PSYC 100A
CHEM 221, 222, 223
PSYC 100B
As alternative courses, I have chosen the following:
BIOL 103
BCHM 218
GEOL 102
MATH 121
ANAT 215/216
In addition to academic counselling, I have also been introduced to personal counselling through the Wellness Services. I met with Mr. Dennis Pringle, with whom I shared my experiences, and who had provided supporting documentation related to my appeal.
We identified that the greatest challenge I was facing this past academic year was due to my living arrangements. With his advice on safe communication in a hostile environment, I was able to communicate with my uncommunicative housemate for the first time in months, and we were able to settle financial matters related to housing and part ways. Having found a new place to live and having helped my other housemate leave that hostile environment behind as well, I have created a safe and supportive space for myself for the coming year.
I became familiar with workshops run by Queen¿¿s while attending one on writing midway through second semester, and I look forward to partaking in many. Specifically, I believe procrastination and communication seminars would be of great use to me.
As i mentioned in my letter of appeal, I find that being held accountable greatly increases my motivation; I didn't miss a single laboratory where I had a partner. I was recently introduced to the idea of routine meetings with professionals on campus to create the same accountability, and am ready to check in as often as is necessary. I feel this, in combination with my new house free of conflicts, will allow for significantly greater success in my academics. I also look forward to reconnecting with lost friends once i have found my footing once again.
Finally, I have worked with both my parents and my bank on a sustainable, realistic budget. I will have no problems paying for school and housing this coming year, and as such will be able to devote all of my time to my studies. I have notified the only club I was a part of last year that I must put my studies first, and have quit until I am able to achieve the grades I need. Considering how much effort I will need to put towards learning new skills, in addition to studies and homework, I would certainly return to full-time studies if possible.
Should I be allowed to enroll in the fall, I will continue to improve my chances of success through workshops and regular check-ins with on-campus professionals to keep me accountable to my commitment to my academics. Now that I have prepared myself through support services, academic advice, personal reflection, and a positive change of environment, I feel confident in my ability to achieve my goals.
Once again, thank you for your time, and for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel McAllister
My aim is to be accepted into a Chemistry plan. From my last meeting with an advisor, I learned I would need to improve my GPA to be accepted into a plan. For now, I have been advised to prepare alternatives to courses in the case that I am unable to find space. I have listed some of the alternatives recommended below. This way, should I not find room in a given core course, I can still make progress toward my goal, and improve my GPA to a point where I can enter my desired program.
These things duly considered, I have chosen the following courses:
CHEM 211, 212, 213
STAT 263
PSYC 100A
CHEM 221, 222, 223
PSYC 100B
As alternative courses, I have chosen the following:
BIOL 103
BCHM 218
GEOL 102
MATH 121
ANAT 215/216
In addition to academic counselling, I have also been introduced to personal counselling through the Wellness Services. I met with Mr. Dennis Pringle, with whom I shared my experiences, and who had provided supporting documentation related to my appeal.
We identified that the greatest challenge I was facing this past academic year was due to my living arrangements. With his advice on safe communication in a hostile environment, I was able to communicate with my uncommunicative housemate for the first time in months, and we were able to settle financial matters related to housing and part ways. Having found a new place to live and having helped my other housemate leave that hostile environment behind as well, I have created a safe and supportive space for myself for the coming year.
I became familiar with workshops run by Queen¿¿s while attending one on writing midway through second semester, and I look forward to partaking in many. Specifically, I believe procrastination and communication seminars would be of great use to me.
As i mentioned in my letter of appeal, I find that being held accountable greatly increases my motivation; I didn't miss a single laboratory where I had a partner. I was recently introduced to the idea of routine meetings with professionals on campus to create the same accountability, and am ready to check in as often as is necessary. I feel this, in combination with my new house free of conflicts, will allow for significantly greater success in my academics. I also look forward to reconnecting with lost friends once i have found my footing once again.
Finally, I have worked with both my parents and my bank on a sustainable, realistic budget. I will have no problems paying for school and housing this coming year, and as such will be able to devote all of my time to my studies. I have notified the only club I was a part of last year that I must put my studies first, and have quit until I am able to achieve the grades I need. Considering how much effort I will need to put towards learning new skills, in addition to studies and homework, I would certainly return to full-time studies if possible.
Should I be allowed to enroll in the fall, I will continue to improve my chances of success through workshops and regular check-ins with on-campus professionals to keep me accountable to my commitment to my academics. Now that I have prepared myself through support services, academic advice, personal reflection, and a positive change of environment, I feel confident in my ability to achieve my goals.
Once again, thank you for your time, and for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel McAllister