Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Stephenson,
My name is Alyah Opel, I am currently in my third year of Kinesiology here at Queens University. This letter is for a request for an Aegrotat Standing in ANAT 315 taken during Fall 2021. I've unfortunately come into some circumstances that have had some effects on my overall performance in school and other areas of my life.
On October 30th, 2021, my family came to visit me in Kingston. I was informed that my father had become very ill in which he was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of cancer. He let me know that limited information exists on this specific condition resulting in the only treatment method being a major surgery. The knowledge of this information resulted in a detrimental change in my mental health. I experienced elevated symptoms of depression making all tasks extremely difficult. I had also experienced elevated levels of anxiety resulting in episodes of panics attacks. I lacked the desire to complete activities I normally enjoyed and was unable to focus and complete schoolwork. I barely attended class and completed assessments. I sought therapy to help manage the strong emotions I was feeling and improve my wellbeing. Additionally, I spoke with my family physician to begin medication to help manage my symptoms. After hearing the news of my father's diagnosis, I had three major assessments in ANAT 315. These are in test format - 15%, a lab exam - 25% and a final exam - 45%. Studying and being successful in test format evaluations was my greatest challenge as I was having extreme difficulties with focus. As a result, I was unable to be successful on those evaluations, resulting in my failure of the course.
Dropping the course would have been my best option however I was unable to do so as the final drop date occurred prior to me finding out of my father's illness. I have chosen to apply for an appeal for only this course given that this course grade was tremendously impacted by my extenuating circumstance. I was able to receive enough support and accommodations for the HLTH 315 and HLTH 332 courses. Both of the courses consisted of major assignments in which I was able to receive extensions on and submit close to the end of December allowing those grades to be minimally affected. Additionally, with regards to CHEM 112 and KNPE 261, both courses consisted of major final exams which due to the covid-19 outbreak, I chose to reschedule after the holidays. When the opportunity to take these exams at a future date was offered to all students, I had already completed my ANAT 315. Due to the format of the assessments in ANAT 315, it was very difficult to get accommodations compared to other courses completed at the same time where I was able to get extensions. As a result of rescheduling the final exams for KNPE 261 and CHEM 112, those grades were not really affected.
I have been trying my best not to fall into the same scenario given my extenuating circumstance, I have spoken with my family physician and begun medication to help manage my symptoms. Additionally, I have been working with a psychologist by attending therapy biweekly as an additional support. Prior to my third year, I had already completed my anatomy degree requirements and chose to take ANAT 315 to further develop my knowledge as I thoroughly enjoy anatomy and typically do well in these courses. As such, I am not required to retake the course.
I have very high academic standards for myself with my future goal to attend postgraduate school and eventually medical school. I believe that despite my current extenuating circumstance not yet being resolved my plan to manage my stressors with the supports I have discussed will help me be successful in achieving my goals.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerest regards
Alyah Opel
My name is Alyah Opel, I am currently in my third year of Kinesiology here at Queens University. This letter is for a request for an Aegrotat Standing in ANAT 315 taken during Fall 2021. I've unfortunately come into some circumstances that have had some effects on my overall performance in school and other areas of my life.
On October 30th, 2021, my family came to visit me in Kingston. I was informed that my father had become very ill in which he was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of cancer. He let me know that limited information exists on this specific condition resulting in the only treatment method being a major surgery. The knowledge of this information resulted in a detrimental change in my mental health. I experienced elevated symptoms of depression making all tasks extremely difficult. I had also experienced elevated levels of anxiety resulting in episodes of panics attacks. I lacked the desire to complete activities I normally enjoyed and was unable to focus and complete schoolwork. I barely attended class and completed assessments. I sought therapy to help manage the strong emotions I was feeling and improve my wellbeing. Additionally, I spoke with my family physician to begin medication to help manage my symptoms. After hearing the news of my father's diagnosis, I had three major assessments in ANAT 315. These are in test format - 15%, a lab exam - 25% and a final exam - 45%. Studying and being successful in test format evaluations was my greatest challenge as I was having extreme difficulties with focus. As a result, I was unable to be successful on those evaluations, resulting in my failure of the course.
Dropping the course would have been my best option however I was unable to do so as the final drop date occurred prior to me finding out of my father's illness. I have chosen to apply for an appeal for only this course given that this course grade was tremendously impacted by my extenuating circumstance. I was able to receive enough support and accommodations for the HLTH 315 and HLTH 332 courses. Both of the courses consisted of major assignments in which I was able to receive extensions on and submit close to the end of December allowing those grades to be minimally affected. Additionally, with regards to CHEM 112 and KNPE 261, both courses consisted of major final exams which due to the covid-19 outbreak, I chose to reschedule after the holidays. When the opportunity to take these exams at a future date was offered to all students, I had already completed my ANAT 315. Due to the format of the assessments in ANAT 315, it was very difficult to get accommodations compared to other courses completed at the same time where I was able to get extensions. As a result of rescheduling the final exams for KNPE 261 and CHEM 112, those grades were not really affected.
I have been trying my best not to fall into the same scenario given my extenuating circumstance, I have spoken with my family physician and begun medication to help manage my symptoms. Additionally, I have been working with a psychologist by attending therapy biweekly as an additional support. Prior to my third year, I had already completed my anatomy degree requirements and chose to take ANAT 315 to further develop my knowledge as I thoroughly enjoy anatomy and typically do well in these courses. As such, I am not required to retake the course.
I have very high academic standards for myself with my future goal to attend postgraduate school and eventually medical school. I believe that despite my current extenuating circumstance not yet being resolved my plan to manage my stressors with the supports I have discussed will help me be successful in achieving my goals.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerest regards
Alyah Opel