<p>My name is xxx. I am an Economics Major in the class of 2014 and my ID is xxxx. My home phone number is xxxxx and I live at xxxx Road in xxxx. My Email address is xxxx. I would like to appeal your decision of dismissing me from xxx University in your letter dated December 23rd 2011. I believe that my situation warrants serious re-consideration and I am petitioning for reinstatement for the Spring 2012 semester. In my first semester, I failed to be in good academic standing. I failed to recognize the concept of how to be a good college student as a first semester freshman. I was accepted into the Physical Therapy program, and found out very early on that it wasn’t a good fit for me. I spent a lot time around both the medical community and sports and thought this was what I wanted to do. It ended up not being my strength. Since the first semester, my Grade Point Average has improved significantly over the past two semesters; and I am on my way to obtaining a good Academic Standing. My cumulative Grade point Average at Bloomsburg University is a 1.992 at this time. I feel this is due to a very difficult first semester.
During the first semester of my freshman year, I was on a maximum dosage of medication for my epilepsy. I have epilepsy because I had an invitro stroke. I have been on medicine for about nine years, but at this time I was taking 400mg two times per day of Lamictal. Some of the side effects I experienced on this high dosage were tiredness, blurred vision, and disrupted sleep. Some days I could not even read the overhead screens because my vision would be so blurred. This was something that could not be corrected with glasses. Reading my books and notes was challenging. I had to time it right. I would get the blurred vision about 4 to 6 hours after taking my morning medicine. My doctor said that they usually would advise taking the entire dose at night, but decided against it because of the high dose that I was on. A roommate situation also kept me from being able to focus on my studies. I grew up sharing a room with my two brothers. My roommate was used to having his own room. He was actually my aunt and uncle’s nephew from the other side of the family. We did not know each other but both families thought it would be a good idea for us to be roommates. It ended up that we were from two different worlds. We got to the point that we could not be in the room at the same time; and meetings with Resident Life had me stressed out and focusing on school was difficult. I ended up failing Concepts of Biology I. My advisor convinced me to stick with it and not to withdraw from the class, but it just didn’t work out for me. Also, I became sick during finals week, throwing up multiple times. I went to the Health Center and was given ibuprofen which combined with my medicine made me drowsy all day. When I got home for the break, my parents brought me to the doctors and I was put on antibiotics.
My second semester I ended up with a 2.44 Grade Point Average. I started taking my medicine later in the day to avoid having blurred vision during classes. I learned how to be a student and focused strictly on my books. I got more involved with the Bloomsburg community by working The Big Event fixing up the xxx Park down town. I also helped the Red Cross at the blood drive. I also was on the xxx Football Spring Team (football is big at our school. Pre ranked #2 in nation D2.just telling you guys we have a pull with playing football lol). This required many hours of practice and working out. I was able to balance my school work and practice schedule pretty well. I have played football almost my entire life and I had to give it a try to be a part of the Bloomsburg team.<br>
This past Fall semester, I ended up with a 2.54 Grade Point Average. I became much more disciplined with myself and I did not allow myself to log on to any website during the school week. I spent all my week days studying for my classes. I made myself find the time to study on the weekends. I have developed much better study and living skills over the last four months. With all three semesters combined my total GPA is a 1.992. The difference of that and a 2.0 can be equivalent to one question answered wrong on an exam.
In August of 2011, I started the stepping down process of coming off of my medicine. A three day video EEG of my brain showed that my seizure activity may have stopped. So the doctor has me lowering my dose by 50mg each month. I had to give up my driving license until I am off my medicine and declared seizure free. I will be going back into the hospital over spring break for another three day video EEG of my brain to confirm that there is no more seizure activity. My neurologist is very confident that this will be the case. I am now on 200mg two times per day and I am sleeping well, I feel more energized when I wake up in the morning and the blurred vision is gone. I will be completely off medicine by the end of March. If I am not reinstated for the spring semester I will not be able to even attend our community college, because I am not allowed to drive while coming off my medicine. This would really put me behind on my goals for a college education.
I have attached a four year plan which has me graduating in four years. I am pursuing a Major in Economics and a Minor in Statistics. This is a much more fitting major and minor for me. Some classes will have to be taken in the summer semesters. This will lighten my workload during the school year. I have already taken a summer class at Morris County College this past summer. I did very well and I had the credits sent to xxx. I plan on retaking Concepts of Biology I in the Fall 2012 semester which will fix my Grade Point Average to where it should be. I have worked very hard these past two semesters, and I know I will continue to do better each semester. I am a different person now then I was as a first semester freshman. I had a lot on my plate back then. I was able to pick my roommates this semester and we all get along great and plan on living with each other next year. Also I will no longer be on medication and dealing with the side effects that it causes.
I absolutely love xxx University, and it would mean so much to me if I had the opportunity to graduate from here. I have enjoyed and learned so much from all of my professors. I have participated in the intramural sports each semester. I was on the Football Team for the Spring Semester. I have participated in many of the other xxx functions such as the Wednesday Night Movie in the Kuhr. I have attended many football, basketball, soccer, and field hockey games. I am not just taking up space here. I am really participating in all that the school has to offer. My Grade Point Average is rising each semester. Don’t let my cumulative GPA tell you that I am a bad student. I am a good student who had a very, very bad first semester of college.</p>
<p>have documentation and stuff. I put a rough draft up before. Should I really take the roommate thing out? You guys say it shows immaturity but it shows another reason why I had my focus off studies and gives a “plan to not happen again”</p>