Instructions were to describe what was happening in life during term/terms of academic difficulty. Provide in-depth description of you are now prepared to make satisfactory academic progress. Talk about problem-solving methods used to make positive changes in life and to ultimately become a successful student.
Thanks in advance,
RDR
Dear Dean Mackey:
I was academically dismissed after not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress in Spring 2011. Since I was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted from events occurring in the past two semesters, I'd decided to take some time to resolve the issues interfering with my academic progress, and renew my fervor for learning.
When I enrolled in Empire State College, I'd had all intentions of doing my all to be a successful student. My first semester ended satisfactorily and I believed that the next semester would only get better. Once my second semester began, I became more comfortable with online learning. I was completing my work in a timely manner and had a system for managing school, work, and my children. What I hadn't taken into account was my ailing father, for whom I was the only caregiver.
Approximately five weeks into the Fall 2010 semester, my father was called to receive a kidney transplant. I was enthusiastic about his recovery and proceeded to engage in discussion posts and coursework. Although I'd felt that I'd been stretched a bit thin by that time, I was still confident that I could continue on with my courses. It was not until there had been complications leading to the transplant having to be done over, as well as a life threatening viral blood infection in my father, that lead me to ask for an exception to the college's written withdrawal policy to withdraw from two of the courses that I had registered for that semester in order to devote more time to caring for him.
Although the fall semester had been difficult, the spring semester was unbearable. No sooner had I learned of my pregnancy than I'd had a miscarriage. I became sullen and withdrawn. I did not deal with the loss very well. My coping mechanisms were to eat and sleep. I didn't even try to log in. I received a letter shortly thereafter stating that I had been dropped from my classes.
In the time that I have been away from ESC, I have taken steps to ensure that, not only do I make satisfactory academic progress, but also excel at the tasks put before me. I've developed better coping mechanisms, study habits, and more productive outlets for my emotions. I've learned to prioritize when I'm feeling overwhelmed as well as recognize the difference between what is imperative and what is important. I have set clear goals for myself, and plan to implement a new system for time management and task completion.
The main issues that I had to deal with which caused my academic difficulty have resolved themselves. My father is now well and thriving, my children are now older and more autonomous, and I have learned to value my education and myself. I have learned much about myself in the past year and a half; the most important thing being that no matter what obstacles life has for me, I will keep striving.
Thanks in advance,
RDR
Dear Dean Mackey:
I was academically dismissed after not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress in Spring 2011. Since I was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted from events occurring in the past two semesters, I'd decided to take some time to resolve the issues interfering with my academic progress, and renew my fervor for learning.
When I enrolled in Empire State College, I'd had all intentions of doing my all to be a successful student. My first semester ended satisfactorily and I believed that the next semester would only get better. Once my second semester began, I became more comfortable with online learning. I was completing my work in a timely manner and had a system for managing school, work, and my children. What I hadn't taken into account was my ailing father, for whom I was the only caregiver.
Approximately five weeks into the Fall 2010 semester, my father was called to receive a kidney transplant. I was enthusiastic about his recovery and proceeded to engage in discussion posts and coursework. Although I'd felt that I'd been stretched a bit thin by that time, I was still confident that I could continue on with my courses. It was not until there had been complications leading to the transplant having to be done over, as well as a life threatening viral blood infection in my father, that lead me to ask for an exception to the college's written withdrawal policy to withdraw from two of the courses that I had registered for that semester in order to devote more time to caring for him.
Although the fall semester had been difficult, the spring semester was unbearable. No sooner had I learned of my pregnancy than I'd had a miscarriage. I became sullen and withdrawn. I did not deal with the loss very well. My coping mechanisms were to eat and sleep. I didn't even try to log in. I received a letter shortly thereafter stating that I had been dropped from my classes.
In the time that I have been away from ESC, I have taken steps to ensure that, not only do I make satisfactory academic progress, but also excel at the tasks put before me. I've developed better coping mechanisms, study habits, and more productive outlets for my emotions. I've learned to prioritize when I'm feeling overwhelmed as well as recognize the difference between what is imperative and what is important. I have set clear goals for myself, and plan to implement a new system for time management and task completion.
The main issues that I had to deal with which caused my academic difficulty have resolved themselves. My father is now well and thriving, my children are now older and more autonomous, and I have learned to value my education and myself. I have learned much about myself in the past year and a half; the most important thing being that no matter what obstacles life has for me, I will keep striving.
