Petition Letter
Dear, Associate Dean (Studies)
I am appealing to drop HLTH 101 (Fall 2019). In September, I started off the school year with the required 6 courses for my program. The first 2 months from September to mid-October I began to feel incredibly overwhelmed with the massive workload. Being far from home, as well as feeling uncomfortable in residence were also factors that were involved in creating stress. I never gave up constantly trying to push through the obstacles, as I did not think there were options to drop any courses and stay in the Con-Ed program. During this period of time I did nothing but school as I spent several days to complete assignments. I hardly ever left my room even for meals. The assignments seemed to take me a long time to complete because I did not understand the concepts properly even after completing all of the readings. I felt as though I did not even have time to go eat food or take any breaks because I was constantly working. I began to feel anxious thinking that I would not finish assignments on time and wake up in a panic. Even the coffee I tried to drink every morning. I would throw up because I was so worried about my classes. During reading break when my dad came to visit from Vancouver I realized I could not understand a lot of the material and began to panic more as I knew towards the end of November I would not have any time to catch up in every class as I also had many assignments due towards the end of the term. After suffering through reading week, I began to look for other options. On October 28th I met with the education advisor to check the possibility of dropping a few courses to lighten my course load and still be in the program. After getting approval I spoke to the arts and science advisor the same day and dropped PSYC 100, and GPHY 101. Even with 4 courses I was still struggling to get out of the mental state that I was left with after overworking myself the past 2 months. I physically felt incredibly weak, and my mind felt like it was filled with fog as I began to have a difficult time to process information and concentrate. This ultimately made me more frustrated. I began to think why I can not get myself together even with taking less courses. On October 30 I decided to meet with the Education Advisor again to look for a different option. With her approval I dropped SOCY 122 and ENGL 100. Now I was only left with HELTH 101 and my education course and practicum. At this point in time I felt like I could manage these courses if there was a way to clear my mind and get some help to fix my mental state. After dropping the two courses on the same day walking back to main campus I broke down and was incredibly upset, scared, and nervous so I called my friend. She guided me to reach out to counselling. I went to student wellness to get immediate counselling, however the earliest appointment I received was Friday November 1rst which was the drop date. After meeting with the councillor on Friday I tried my best to use the techniques I learned to help clam myself down, however I was still struggling. I noticed that I even had difficulty expressing my thoughts to the councillor as my mind seemed fogged and I could not remember the simple things she was saying .Throughout this week I had been having an incredibly hard time to sleep I was extremely exhausted and woke up with headaches from constantly thinking through the night. After speaking to my parents and realizing I had been harming my own health I decided that the best option for me is to ask for an extension and fly back to Vancouver as soon as possible. The earliest appointment I could make with the education advisor was Monday November 4th. After meeting with her I was able to drop my education course right away but then only I realized that I could not drop Health as I had missed the deadline. This gave me a lot more to worry, as I never intended to have a failing grade on my transcript. I met with the education councillor again to help me face my fears and get more help. Moving back and taking a year off will help me get out of my mental state. Back at home I intend to get a job, and take a few online courses in summer to help me develop proper study skills. I will also be attending regular weekly counselling. Counselling sessions will help me develop coping strategies to overpower my own inner critique. This will ultimately teach me how to control my thoughts in a high stress environment. In the future I also intend to take a lighter course load from the beginning, and select the proper courses that are suitable for me.
I am appealing to drop HLTH 101 (Fall 2019). In September, I started off the school year with the required 6 courses for my program. The first 2 months from September to mid-October I began to feel incredibly overwhelmed with the massive workload. Being far from home, as well as feeling uncomfortable in residence were also factors that were involved in creating stress. I never gave up constantly trying to push through the obstacles, as I did not think there were options to drop any courses and stay in the Con-Ed program. During this period of time I did nothing but school as I spent several days to complete assignments. I hardly ever left my room even for meals. The assignments seemed to take me a long time to complete because I did not understand the concepts properly even after completing all of the readings. I felt as though I did not even have time to go eat food or take any breaks because I was constantly working. I began to feel anxious thinking that I would not finish assignments on time and wake up in a panic. Even the coffee I tried to drink every morning. I would throw up because I was so worried about my classes. During reading break when my dad came to visit from Vancouver I realized I could not understand a lot of the material and began to panic more as I knew towards the end of November I would not have any time to catch up in every class as I also had many assignments due towards the end of the term. After suffering through reading week, I began to look for other options. On October 28th I met with the education advisor to check the possibility of dropping a few courses to lighten my course load and still be in the program. After getting approval I spoke to the arts and science advisor the same day and dropped PSYC 100, and GPHY 101. Even with 4 courses I was still struggling to get out of the mental state that I was left with after overworking myself the past 2 months. I physically felt incredibly weak, and my mind felt like it was filled with fog as I began to have a difficult time to process information and concentrate. This ultimately made me more frustrated. I began to think why I can not get myself together even with taking less courses. On October 30 I decided to meet with the Education Advisor again to look for a different option. With her approval I dropped SOCY 122 and ENGL 100. Now I was only left with HELTH 101 and my education course and practicum. At this point in time I felt like I could manage these courses if there was a way to clear my mind and get some help to fix my mental state. After dropping the two courses on the same day walking back to main campus I broke down and was incredibly upset, scared, and nervous so I called my friend. She guided me to reach out to counselling. I went to student wellness to get immediate counselling, however the earliest appointment I received was Friday November 1rst which was the drop date. After meeting with the councillor on Friday I tried my best to use the techniques I learned to help clam myself down, however I was still struggling. I noticed that I even had difficulty expressing my thoughts to the councillor as my mind seemed fogged and I could not remember the simple things she was saying .Throughout this week I had been having an incredibly hard time to sleep I was extremely exhausted and woke up with headaches from constantly thinking through the night. After speaking to my parents and realizing I had been harming my own health I decided that the best option for me is to ask for an extension and fly back to Vancouver as soon as possible. The earliest appointment I could make with the education advisor was Monday November 4th. After meeting with her I was able to drop my education course right away but then only I realized that I could not drop Health as I had missed the deadline. This gave me a lot more to worry, as I never intended to have a failing grade on my transcript. I met with the education councillor again to help me face my fears and get more help. Moving back and taking a year off will help me get out of my mental state. Back at home I intend to get a job, and take a few online courses in summer to help me develop proper study skills. I will also be attending regular weekly counselling. Counselling sessions will help me develop coping strategies to overpower my own inner critique. This will ultimately teach me how to control my thoughts in a high stress environment. In the future I also intend to take a lighter course load from the beginning, and select the proper courses that are suitable for me.