Petition Letter
August 25, 2018
Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean Arts and Science
Re: Appeal to waive the deadline request credit standing
I am writing to appeal to waive the deadline and request credit standing in CLST 200, PSYC 236 and SOCY 122 as I have experienced exceptional circumstances that have prevented me from appealing until this point of my academic career. I have details my circumstances below and included a complete academic plan that will illustrate that I am now in a position to appeal and achieve good academic results moving forward.
When I began my students at Queens I was very excited for this new chapter even though I knew it would be very different than what I was accustomed to. The first challenge I faced was being paced on West campus and I felt very isolated and became increasingly anxious as I had already dealt with and been diagnosed with anxiety prior to starting school. As first semester came to an end it began to get more difficult. As others seemed to be adjusting fine, I assumed that I would just have to cope so I did not raise the issue with my family or friends but began to spend more and more time returning home to avoid being on campus. I was always going home which then caused me to feel left out of the university life which made me sink to a low. I attended classes but was not working to an optimal level. Upon returning home for the summer after year one, I talked about my difficulties minimally but soon after, my younger sister was diagnosed with a critical illness and after she was release from her initial hospital stay, there was a large emphasis on her physical wellbeing so I moved my concerns to the back burner thinking that it was what I should do. This moved me into my second year and being in a new off- campus space with friends, I felt that everything would be fixed but I continued to struggle. I attempted modifying my course selections, plans for major and minor and even changed one curse to an on-line option. I did not appeal when I did because I thought it was just me and that I was the problem for not being proud of my marks. But when I visited my doctor this summer he helped me to realize that I was not able to perform to the best of my abilities due to my mental health. This made me really want to make a change and work on my problems so that I could succeed at Queens. As I completed my second year and my sister¿¿s health stabilized, I engaged in extensive conversations with my family so they could advise and help me move forward in the best direction for my success this leading me to this appeal which would be an integral part of my future success.
I have created an academic plan for myself as I believe that planning my future will help me know what I need to do to achieve my goals. I am now being treated for my anxiety, OCD, depression and eating disorder in which I was suffering with throughout first and second year. I have also just been officially diagnosed for ADHD and am in the process of developing a treatment plan which I believe will help my marks and attention in school increase tremendously. For academics wise I was to head in the direction of law, I plan on majoring in Gender Studies with a minor in Psychology. I was also hoping to add a certificate of Law to my Undergraduate which is one of the reasons I am appealing my marks because to get into this I need a GPA of 2.6. As well law school is very competitive and I am pushing to raised my GPA these next few years while also taking summer courses next summer to help get back credits I had lost first year from dropping a course due to being too much to handle with my mental health issues. I am very passionate about law and helping people so this is the direction that I plan on going into. With changing these marks to not count into my GPA I would be able to go in the direction I want for my
future without having my past problems affect it. I have finally taken control of my issues and plan to only go up from here. Moving forward, I have prepared an academic plan which I included on the next page. This plan outlies not only the self-reflection I have been engaged in but concrete strategies that will ensure my success in the coming years. These strategies include engaging the support of my family, friends, being realistic about my strengths and how my challenges affect me as well as determining a comprehensive plan on how to be academically successful using the supports available to me.
Sincerely,
Kennedy Naumann Student 20001455
Attachments: Academic Plan Doctors note
Academic Plan 2018-2019
Kennedy H. Naumann
Course of Study
¿¿ I have been doing research to ensure that I am in the most appropriate courses suited to my academic background and strengths
¿¿ Reevaluated my career goals and mapped out courses that I need to achieve them
¿¿ Major in gender studies, minor in Psychology and begin completion of the Law Certificate to work towards being an advocate to under supported groups
¿¿ Use a combination of online and in class that complement each other
¿¿ I plan to attend 15 to 20 hours per week of classes and commit another 20 hours studying outside of class time.
Strategies for Success
¿¿ I have been suffering from anxiety and depression along with attention challenges so I have been working with my family doctor who has referred me to a specialist in Kingston as that is more convenient for treatment while at school.
¿¿ I have begun to work with and plan continued follow up with a Queens
¿¿ I have started counseling to ensure that I am addressing the relevant personal and performance issues (ADHD)
¿¿ I have been working on my financial planning to avoid the need to carry a PT job so can focus on school
¿¿ I find being active calms my anxiety and helps to manage my OCD and ADHD so focusing on my not only mental but psychical health will help me to success
Personal Preparation
¿¿ I have been undergoing a great deal of personal reflection on my goals and aspirations
¿¿ I have been openly discussing my challenges with my family so they are aware and can provide the support and assistance I need
¿¿ I have been working with the support of my family doctor and have a referral to ADHD specialist
¿¿ I have been to Queens counselling and have secured ongoing counselling in Kingston
¿¿ I have been working on my financial planning to avoid the need to carry a PT job so can focus on school
Academic Preparation
¿¿ Access Writing Centre tutors
¿¿ I have researched services available and plan on accessing on-line support/tutorials for time management, study skills, exam mastery techniques through Student Academic Success Services, and the Learning Commons.
Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean Arts and Science
Re: Appeal to waive the deadline request credit standing
I am writing to appeal to waive the deadline and request credit standing in CLST 200, PSYC 236 and SOCY 122 as I have experienced exceptional circumstances that have prevented me from appealing until this point of my academic career. I have details my circumstances below and included a complete academic plan that will illustrate that I am now in a position to appeal and achieve good academic results moving forward.
When I began my students at Queens I was very excited for this new chapter even though I knew it would be very different than what I was accustomed to. The first challenge I faced was being paced on West campus and I felt very isolated and became increasingly anxious as I had already dealt with and been diagnosed with anxiety prior to starting school. As first semester came to an end it began to get more difficult. As others seemed to be adjusting fine, I assumed that I would just have to cope so I did not raise the issue with my family or friends but began to spend more and more time returning home to avoid being on campus. I was always going home which then caused me to feel left out of the university life which made me sink to a low. I attended classes but was not working to an optimal level. Upon returning home for the summer after year one, I talked about my difficulties minimally but soon after, my younger sister was diagnosed with a critical illness and after she was release from her initial hospital stay, there was a large emphasis on her physical wellbeing so I moved my concerns to the back burner thinking that it was what I should do. This moved me into my second year and being in a new off- campus space with friends, I felt that everything would be fixed but I continued to struggle. I attempted modifying my course selections, plans for major and minor and even changed one curse to an on-line option. I did not appeal when I did because I thought it was just me and that I was the problem for not being proud of my marks. But when I visited my doctor this summer he helped me to realize that I was not able to perform to the best of my abilities due to my mental health. This made me really want to make a change and work on my problems so that I could succeed at Queens. As I completed my second year and my sister¿¿s health stabilized, I engaged in extensive conversations with my family so they could advise and help me move forward in the best direction for my success this leading me to this appeal which would be an integral part of my future success.
I have created an academic plan for myself as I believe that planning my future will help me know what I need to do to achieve my goals. I am now being treated for my anxiety, OCD, depression and eating disorder in which I was suffering with throughout first and second year. I have also just been officially diagnosed for ADHD and am in the process of developing a treatment plan which I believe will help my marks and attention in school increase tremendously. For academics wise I was to head in the direction of law, I plan on majoring in Gender Studies with a minor in Psychology. I was also hoping to add a certificate of Law to my Undergraduate which is one of the reasons I am appealing my marks because to get into this I need a GPA of 2.6. As well law school is very competitive and I am pushing to raised my GPA these next few years while also taking summer courses next summer to help get back credits I had lost first year from dropping a course due to being too much to handle with my mental health issues. I am very passionate about law and helping people so this is the direction that I plan on going into. With changing these marks to not count into my GPA I would be able to go in the direction I want for my
future without having my past problems affect it. I have finally taken control of my issues and plan to only go up from here. Moving forward, I have prepared an academic plan which I included on the next page. This plan outlies not only the self-reflection I have been engaged in but concrete strategies that will ensure my success in the coming years. These strategies include engaging the support of my family, friends, being realistic about my strengths and how my challenges affect me as well as determining a comprehensive plan on how to be academically successful using the supports available to me.
Sincerely,
Kennedy Naumann Student 20001455
Attachments: Academic Plan Doctors note
Academic Plan 2018-2019
Kennedy H. Naumann
Course of Study
¿¿ I have been doing research to ensure that I am in the most appropriate courses suited to my academic background and strengths
¿¿ Reevaluated my career goals and mapped out courses that I need to achieve them
¿¿ Major in gender studies, minor in Psychology and begin completion of the Law Certificate to work towards being an advocate to under supported groups
¿¿ Use a combination of online and in class that complement each other
¿¿ I plan to attend 15 to 20 hours per week of classes and commit another 20 hours studying outside of class time.
Strategies for Success
¿¿ I have been suffering from anxiety and depression along with attention challenges so I have been working with my family doctor who has referred me to a specialist in Kingston as that is more convenient for treatment while at school.
¿¿ I have begun to work with and plan continued follow up with a Queens
¿¿ I have started counseling to ensure that I am addressing the relevant personal and performance issues (ADHD)
¿¿ I have been working on my financial planning to avoid the need to carry a PT job so can focus on school
¿¿ I find being active calms my anxiety and helps to manage my OCD and ADHD so focusing on my not only mental but psychical health will help me to success
Personal Preparation
¿¿ I have been undergoing a great deal of personal reflection on my goals and aspirations
¿¿ I have been openly discussing my challenges with my family so they are aware and can provide the support and assistance I need
¿¿ I have been working with the support of my family doctor and have a referral to ADHD specialist
¿¿ I have been to Queens counselling and have secured ongoing counselling in Kingston
¿¿ I have been working on my financial planning to avoid the need to carry a PT job so can focus on school
Academic Preparation
¿¿ Access Writing Centre tutors
¿¿ I have researched services available and plan on accessing on-line support/tutorials for time management, study skills, exam mastery techniques through Student Academic Success Services, and the Learning Commons.