Petition Letter
Dear Dean Crow and Members of the Arts and Science Appeal Committee,
I am writing with the hope to appeal a failed course, SOCY 275 and am requesting to have it removed from my transcript if possible. Additionally, I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
I admit to having had a difficult time academically back in the Fall of 2018. The reason I am writing this letter to have this course appealed two years later, is because in all honesty I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed because I had already appealed courses in the past due to physical illness and anxiety, and I did not intend on having to do this again. However, I have since realized that there is nothing to be embarrassed of, and I can at least explain my situation and hope for the best.
I have dealt with anxiety for almost as long as I can remember, I struggle with a severe panic disorder as well. After seeking help for my anxiety after my appeal in 2016, I was placed back on medication and like many people, I experienced many ups and downs. I continue to struggle with my anxiety and panic disorders today, as can been seen in the multiple medical documents submitted to the school each year. However, this course in particular, I found exceedingly difficult to deal with mentally. It is of no fault of the Professor, as I should have dropped the course within the acedemic deadline however, I wanted to challenge myself. That was a mistake, as I found that the structure of the course caused me a lot of anxiety. I have never taken a course that did not provide an online database. SOCY 275 was structured in a way that pushed you to go to class, and although I believe this is a good tactic in ensuring that students are taking in the material, not having a platform on OnQ to reference and to help me stay organized with readings, lecture slides, and deadlines was very difficult for me. I could not seem to stay on top of my work, and judging by my other grades from that semester; I did not have difficulty with them.
I have worked extremely hard over the past few years to improve my grades and get through school. At one point in my acedemic career, I was on the verge of being required to withdrawal for a year, so looking back at on my grades, I have come a long way and I am proud of myself. However, I am now worried. Although my overall GPA has dramatically improved, as you know, I need my Sociology grade to average out at a 1.6 in order for me to be able to graduate this year as planned. I believe by having this F, it is greatly affecting that average.
To end my letter, I simply want to also mention that the entire Fall term of this past year, I was pregnant. I worked through my courses to the best of my ability, while being extremely sick with my pregnancy, and working part time on top of that. I received a couple Incompletes in some of those courses because I missed my finals due to giving birth to my daughter at the end of December. I have since completed everything that I needed from last semester, while completing a full course load this semester, with a newborn on my own. I am not looking for pity, and I do not want you to think that I am overly eager to finish my time at Queen¿¿s however, I have been looking forward to spending the rest of my maternity solely with my daughter. It has been a long 6 years for me, and if this appeal is approved, I believe that will mean I can graduate on time, which would truly mean the world to me. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Alexa R. Whetung
I am writing with the hope to appeal a failed course, SOCY 275 and am requesting to have it removed from my transcript if possible. Additionally, I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
I admit to having had a difficult time academically back in the Fall of 2018. The reason I am writing this letter to have this course appealed two years later, is because in all honesty I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed because I had already appealed courses in the past due to physical illness and anxiety, and I did not intend on having to do this again. However, I have since realized that there is nothing to be embarrassed of, and I can at least explain my situation and hope for the best.
I have dealt with anxiety for almost as long as I can remember, I struggle with a severe panic disorder as well. After seeking help for my anxiety after my appeal in 2016, I was placed back on medication and like many people, I experienced many ups and downs. I continue to struggle with my anxiety and panic disorders today, as can been seen in the multiple medical documents submitted to the school each year. However, this course in particular, I found exceedingly difficult to deal with mentally. It is of no fault of the Professor, as I should have dropped the course within the acedemic deadline however, I wanted to challenge myself. That was a mistake, as I found that the structure of the course caused me a lot of anxiety. I have never taken a course that did not provide an online database. SOCY 275 was structured in a way that pushed you to go to class, and although I believe this is a good tactic in ensuring that students are taking in the material, not having a platform on OnQ to reference and to help me stay organized with readings, lecture slides, and deadlines was very difficult for me. I could not seem to stay on top of my work, and judging by my other grades from that semester; I did not have difficulty with them.
I have worked extremely hard over the past few years to improve my grades and get through school. At one point in my acedemic career, I was on the verge of being required to withdrawal for a year, so looking back at on my grades, I have come a long way and I am proud of myself. However, I am now worried. Although my overall GPA has dramatically improved, as you know, I need my Sociology grade to average out at a 1.6 in order for me to be able to graduate this year as planned. I believe by having this F, it is greatly affecting that average.
To end my letter, I simply want to also mention that the entire Fall term of this past year, I was pregnant. I worked through my courses to the best of my ability, while being extremely sick with my pregnancy, and working part time on top of that. I received a couple Incompletes in some of those courses because I missed my finals due to giving birth to my daughter at the end of December. I have since completed everything that I needed from last semester, while completing a full course load this semester, with a newborn on my own. I am not looking for pity, and I do not want you to think that I am overly eager to finish my time at Queen¿¿s however, I have been looking forward to spending the rest of my maternity solely with my daughter. It has been a long 6 years for me, and if this appeal is approved, I believe that will mean I can graduate on time, which would truly mean the world to me. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Alexa R. Whetung