Petition Letter
Request: I am appealing to drop the following three courses after the deadline: POLS 211; POLS 359; and PHIL 257A which I enrolled in for Fall 2019, due to a significant psychological challenge I experienced since January 2019 and which became progressively worse over Fall 2019.
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances: Due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control, specifically an acute mental health illness, I have been unable to successfully complete my course load for Fall 2019. My mental health illness began in approximately January of 2019 and became progressively worse, becoming quite severe and debilitating until I was diagnosed on June 22, 2019.
Because of this illness, the impact was that I am unable to concentrate on my studies, unable to attend classes, and unable to meet assignment deadlines. In addition, my sleep and appetite are significantly affected and due to anxiety I have been unable to access the necessary support.
Upon returning home to Ottawa after classes ended in the summer of 2019, with the support of my family I consulted a health-care professional and a personal counsellor to take the necessary steps to address the situation. This allowed me to feel confident that I could return to my studies at Queens in September 2019.
Unfortunately, upon returning to Queens, I progressively felt a worsening of my mental health condition. As such, I dropped one of my four courses by the deadline to focus on my three remaining courses. I tried very hard to focus on my three remaining courses but have been unable to continue my studies. Although my extenuating circumstances began prior to the drop deadline of the Fall 2019 term, I was not able to drop the courses in question by the Week 8 drop deadline due to my significant anxiety and mental health illness.
Future Plan: Despite the personal and academic steps I have taken to try to to manage my medical condition in such a way that I am able to continue my studies at Queens (including reduced course load, regular follow-up with healthcare professionals (medical and counselling), application for academic accommodation, and registration with Student Academic Success Services), I realize that my severe anxiety and depression has gotten worse and I need to withdraw from my studies at Queens at this time and return home to Ottawa where I can obtain the support and care I need to manage my condition.
Thank you for your consideration.
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances: Due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control, specifically an acute mental health illness, I have been unable to successfully complete my course load for Fall 2019. My mental health illness began in approximately January of 2019 and became progressively worse, becoming quite severe and debilitating until I was diagnosed on June 22, 2019.
Because of this illness, the impact was that I am unable to concentrate on my studies, unable to attend classes, and unable to meet assignment deadlines. In addition, my sleep and appetite are significantly affected and due to anxiety I have been unable to access the necessary support.
Upon returning home to Ottawa after classes ended in the summer of 2019, with the support of my family I consulted a health-care professional and a personal counsellor to take the necessary steps to address the situation. This allowed me to feel confident that I could return to my studies at Queens in September 2019.
Unfortunately, upon returning to Queens, I progressively felt a worsening of my mental health condition. As such, I dropped one of my four courses by the deadline to focus on my three remaining courses. I tried very hard to focus on my three remaining courses but have been unable to continue my studies. Although my extenuating circumstances began prior to the drop deadline of the Fall 2019 term, I was not able to drop the courses in question by the Week 8 drop deadline due to my significant anxiety and mental health illness.
Future Plan: Despite the personal and academic steps I have taken to try to to manage my medical condition in such a way that I am able to continue my studies at Queens (including reduced course load, regular follow-up with healthcare professionals (medical and counselling), application for academic accommodation, and registration with Student Academic Success Services), I realize that my severe anxiety and depression has gotten worse and I need to withdraw from my studies at Queens at this time and return home to Ottawa where I can obtain the support and care I need to manage my condition.
Thank you for your consideration.