To Whom It May Concern:
My name is xxx, a proud student at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I will admit, I was not surprised when I received the letter but I was extremely upset. I admit I had a very difficult time and my grades suffered as a result. My low GPA failed to meet the requirements of the college to remain an active student on campus, which as a result led to my temporary dismissal. I take full responsibilities for my actions and realize that I am at fault for being in this position. Yet I would like to urge you to reinstate me for next semester. Throughout the duration of my Freshman Year I endured many events that gravely affected my academic performance. I wish that the events that occurred this past year were different and never would of happened but they did and I don’t mean to make excuses for my poor academic performance, but I feel the need to explain myself and the reasoning behind my Insubstantial GPA .
When I first became accepted to UWM I was so filled with so much excitement and was eager to start. Attending college had always been a life long dream of mine and I was truly over joyed to be able to attend a university that I loved. However my joy did not last very long because I became filled with doubt and constant negative thoughts and emotions. You see, I have depression and anxiety. I more than anyone hate using my mental health as an excuse, but I also know that it is a real issue. UWM was everything I dreamed of and more, but I couldn’t enjoy it let alone focus on my school work. Because of my depression and anxiety I would become so helpless and my energy just seemed to diminished. It became a task to just simply get out of bed and I couldn’t understand what had happened. It effected my grades and my attendance in class was very poor. I did not know how to explain to my professors what was going on and I did not know how to fix what was going on. One thing I always knew was that I did not want to give up. I did not want to lose my self and I didn’t want to fail at achieving my goal of finishing college. I went to my advisor and to seek help. Since it was too late into the semester there was not too much she could do but she directed me to the Norris health center, informing me and helping me sign up for the tutor lab, and also emailing my teachers. This helped me a great deal and although it was hard I powered through until the end of the spring semester. By the time the fall semester began to roll around I was determined to make sure I got some help to try and avoid any type of failure. I did take advantage of some of the resources offered at the university. I began to see Dr. B who then latter referred me to one of the recourses that UWM offered, VISA and to Dr. P where I was prescribed medication to help me cope with my depression and anxiety. Yet there was something that kept lingering on in my life that just wouldn’t allow me to really flourish into the person I knew I could and can still be if I’m allowed back into UWM. A few months before the fall semester started, I experienced an event that lead to many difficult days. That event also caused for a lot of unwanted attention and a lot of negative comments. I was sexually assaulted the previous semester. As you could possibly imagine that event caused a lot of emotions that I tried but obviously failed to suppress. Since that event was made public to a multitude of people I received a lot of anonymous negative online messages that I tried to ignore, yet kept on bothering me. Even though the therapy sessions with Dr.B and the medication was helping me with my depression and anxiety and I as well as my family, friends, and even my advisor could tell a difference in me; the constant messages and reminders of the event made me lose sight of my improvements and caused me to feel hopeless. I was ashamed of what happened to me and I felt even worse having everyone know. The constant bullying, the reminder of the event, and the fact that I stopped my medication cut into my study time and hurt my focus on my education. I fell back into the helpeless stage and the lose of energy. I felt hopeless and I didn’t want to let anyone know how badly the reminders of the event really hurt me. I kept pretending as if it didn’t affect me anymore because I believed that I could “fake it till I made it”. From the fact that you’re now reading this, I obviously didn’t make it, At least not in the academic aspect. I understand that I should have continued my sessions with Dr.B and Dr.P and that I should of taken use of the Visa and should of given notice to my professors of my visa. I also know that it is only on me to ensure I maintain taking my medication. I thought I could handle these burdens alone without the help of anyone, and I tried my best, but I was wrong.
Fortunately, I was able to end the bullying and was able to cope with the event that hurt me. As well I learned coping methods to help me avoid focusing on negative situations. Freshman year was not Ideal for me and brought me to my breaking point and back. I made many mistakes that I’ve learned from since then, and have every intention in improving in every way. If I were to be given this second chance and be reinstated for next semester I promise you will see a complete 360 difference between my previous grades and the grades that I will be receiving next semester. I have created a plan to ensure that I reach academic success. I have taken the first step by taking classes that appeal to the major which I’m passionate about. I would take fewer credits until I have my GPA back on track, and retake the classes that I did poorly in, As well as make weekly visits to our student tutoring program, make sure that I visit my professor’s during their office hours, and last, but certainly not least make sure to also continue my therapy sessions with Dr.B and Dr.P to ensure my mental health stability and avoid any future situations such as this and take advantage of all the great recourses UWM has to offer. I won’t lose sight of what really means the most to me, my education.
I love UWM, and it would mean so much to me to continue my education and graduate with a degree from this school. Which would make me the first person in my family to achieve a college degree. I know just how fortunate I am to be a student of this university even though it has not been reflected in my grades so far. Please understand that my low GPA that led to my dismissal does not indicate that I am a bad student. I’m a good student who had a very, very bad year but it doesn’t have to mean that this year has to be a bad one either. If reinstated I will prove myself and show the real student that I am and the potential that I have. My education is everything to me and I know that continuing my education here is what I need to reach all my future success in life. I am willing to fight for it and do whatever is necessary to get back on track towards a successful future. I hope you will give me another chance, I am positive you will not make a mistake if you chose to reinstate me. Thank you for considering my appeal.
Sincerely,
xxx