- Published: September 24, 2022
- Updated: September 24, 2022
- University / College: Simon Fraser University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 29
To whom it may concern, I am writing to request an appeal of the dismissal decision. My first semester at Alfred State University wasn’t a great one. I do not blame anyone but myself for the low GPA I received and I know I did not work up to my abilities. Over the first semester at Alfred State University, my grades were significantly affected by my bad study habits. This made me fall behind, and posed greater difficulty in learning advanced knowledge covered in the later time of semester. The another bad habit that lead to my failure is that I never ask for help from instructors. Therefore, I did not understand the materials thoroughly.
In fact, being a good student requires taking studying very seriously. I failed to take it seriously, and my grades reflected the first semester. On my return to Alfred State University for Spring semester, I came with the mindset studying should be my first priority. But that’s not enough. At the first half of the semester, I was sure that studying every so often before an exam would give me enough time to absorb all of the information, but I was wrong. It came to my attention that I need time.
With studying It’s more than just reading the book, one must look at notes and talk to teachers. Meeting with my fellow students to discuss the problems that we did not understand through a week of study. I admit I had a very difficult time last semester, and my grades suffered as a result. I don’t mean to make excuses for my poor academic performance, but I would like to explain the circumstances. I knew that registering for 16 credit hours in the fall would require a lot of me, but I needed to earn the hours so that I was on track to graduate next spring. I thought I could handle the workload, and I still think I could have, except that my mother was diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer and became very ill in October.
While she was home sick and unable to work, I had to drive home every weekend and some weeknights to help out with household duties and to care for for her. I was one of the only people she would talk to so I knew it meant a lot for me to be there. Needless to say, the two hour-long drive each way cut into my study time, as did the chores I had to do at home. Even when I was at school, I was very distracted with the home situation and was unable to focus on my schoolwork. I understand now that I should have communicated with my professors or even taken a leave of absence. I thought I could handle all of these burdens, and I tried my best, but I was wrong. Fortunately, my mother is recovering and has not yet returned to work but is on the verge to do so, I should not need to travel home nearly as often. When I return to Spring semester, I undoubtedly will overcome the bad habits mentioned above.
First of all, I will keep on asking questions and revising knowledge learned during lectures. I am certain that if I am given a second chance, I will be persistent when facing with challenges that structure my skills which can be demonstrated through my grades. I have planned to discipline myself in every single aspect of my life because I do dream of graduating from Alfred State and being able to walk that stage with my Diploma. Being able to look in the crowd and see my family smiling at me and being able to say I did it. I want to make not only my family proud that I was the first to graduate college but my mother so I can show her I did it for her. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I sincerely do hope I will return to Alfred state for the Spring semester. Sincerely, Yaw Patrick Twum