Petition Letter
Please accept this letter as my formal appeal to the faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's University for a minimum of one year. During the 2021/22 school year I was unable to fulfill my responsibilities as a student to complete my coursework and achieve the grades required to return to studies. I relapsed into a severe depression in late October 2021 and it continued to affect my studies until April 2022.
This year, in my first year at Queen's, I went from being a student on academic scholarship to being dismissed. I have maintained exceptional grades throughout my entire academic career until now, including grades 9-12 in the International Baccalaureate program.
My fight with depression coupled with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder was a long and draining battle. I was unable to get out of bed and take care of myself. I withdrew from all aspects of my life and rarely left my dormitory. With each day that passed, I became more and more depressed and lost hope of getting well again. I did not have a support system and was too sick to reach out for help. As a result of this mental health crisis, I missed several deadlines and did not complete enough coursework to enter second year.
Mental illness is so difficult to recognize, talk about, and function with. I was ill prepared to cope with my depression and I could not see what was happening to me. As my mental health deteriorated, I was more and more isolated and overwhelmed. Now I am able to spot the warning signs of mental illness so I can proactively coordinate the support I need rather than facing it on my own.
I take full responsibility for my failure to meet my program requirements and I understand the seriousness of my situation. I am submitting this appeal to share my story in a desperate plea for a second chance. I am devastated that I have let the university, my family, and myself down. I am prepared to do anything it takes to fix my failures and show how much Queen's means to me.
This year, in my first year at Queen's, I went from being a student on academic scholarship to being dismissed. I have maintained exceptional grades throughout my entire academic career until now, including grades 9-12 in the International Baccalaureate program.
My fight with depression coupled with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder was a long and draining battle. I was unable to get out of bed and take care of myself. I withdrew from all aspects of my life and rarely left my dormitory. With each day that passed, I became more and more depressed and lost hope of getting well again. I did not have a support system and was too sick to reach out for help. As a result of this mental health crisis, I missed several deadlines and did not complete enough coursework to enter second year.
Mental illness is so difficult to recognize, talk about, and function with. I was ill prepared to cope with my depression and I could not see what was happening to me. As my mental health deteriorated, I was more and more isolated and overwhelmed. Now I am able to spot the warning signs of mental illness so I can proactively coordinate the support I need rather than facing it on my own.
I take full responsibility for my failure to meet my program requirements and I understand the seriousness of my situation. I am submitting this appeal to share my story in a desperate plea for a second chance. I am devastated that I have let the university, my family, and myself down. I am prepared to do anything it takes to fix my failures and show how much Queen's means to me.