Are you a college student struggling to keep up with the demands of your coursework?
Are you overwhelmed by the number of units you must complete each semester?
If so, you’re not alone. Many students face similar challenges, and one solution that can provide relief is petitioning to drop a unit.
Sample Petitions for Dropping of Unit Sample
In this article, we’ll explore fifteen sample petitions that demonstrate how to effectively communicate your reasons for dropping a unit at your academic institution.
Petition One
Subject: Request to Drop ECON101 Due to Medical Emergency
Dear Academic Advisor,
I am writing to formally request permission to drop ECON101 from my current course load. Last week, I was hospitalized due to a severe case of appendicitis that required emergency surgery. As a result, I have fallen behind in my coursework and do not believe I can catch up while maintaining my health and well-being.
I have attached a letter from my doctor outlining the details of my medical situation and the recommended recovery time. I understand that dropping this course may impact my academic progress, but I believe it is the best decision for my overall health and success.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration of my request. Please let me know if you require any additional information or documentation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Two
Subject: Request to Drop HIST204 Due to Family Emergency
Dear Professor [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request your permission to drop HIST204 from my schedule this semester. Last night, I received news that my grandfather had fallen critically ill and had been hospitalized in my hometown, which is a six-hour drive from campus.
As the oldest grandchild, I feel a strong responsibility to be with my family during this difficult time. I anticipate needing to travel home frequently in the coming weeks to support my family and help care for my grandfather.
I am concerned that the travel and emotional stress of this situation will prevent me from dedicating the necessary time and focus to my studies, particularly in HIST204. I believe that dropping the course is the best decision for my academic success and personal well-being.
I appreciate your understanding and compassion during this challenging time. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Petition Three
Subject: Request to Drop CHEM212 Due to Overwhelming Course Load
Dear Department Head,
I am writing to request permission to drop CHEM212 from my course schedule this semester. As a double major in Chemistry and Biology, I have taken on a challenging course load this term, including several upper-level classes that require extensive laboratory work and independent research projects.
Despite my best efforts to manage my time effectively, I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demands of all my courses. In particular, I am struggling to balance the lab requirements of CHEM212 with my other coursework and extracurricular commitments.
After careful consideration and consultation with my academic advisor, I believe that dropping CHEM212 is the best decision for my overall academic success this semester. I plan to retake the course next term when I can dedicate more time and energy to the material.
Thank you for considering my request. I am grateful for your support and guidance as I navigate my academic journey.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Four
Subject: Request to Drop PSYC305 Due to Personal Circumstances
Dear [Advisor Name],
I am writing to formally request your approval to drop PSYC305 from my current course schedule. Over the past few weeks, I have been dealing with a difficult personal situation that has significantly impacted my mental health and well-being.
I have been working with a therapist to address these issues, but I am finding it increasingly challenging to focus on my studies and complete my coursework. I am particularly struggling in PSYC305, as the course material is emotionally triggering and exacerbating my mental health concerns.
After much reflection and consultation with my therapist and family, I have decided that dropping PSYC305 is necessary for my personal well-being and academic success. I plan to take some time off to focus on my mental health and will re-evaluate my readiness to take the course in a future semester.
I appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time. Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Five
Subject: Request to Drop ENGL101 Due to Scheduling Conflict
Dear Professor [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request permission to drop ENGL101 from my course schedule this semester due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict that has arisen.
I was recently informed that a required course for my major, BIOL301, has been rescheduled to a time slot that directly conflicts with ENGL101. As a senior preparing to graduate next semester, I cannot afford to delay taking BIOL301, as it is a prerequisite for several upper-level courses in my major.
I have explored all possible options for resolving this scheduling conflict, including speaking with my academic advisor and the department head for Biology. Unfortunately, there are no alternative sections of BIOL301 offered this semester that would allow me to take both courses.
I regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding of my situation. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Petition Six
Subject: Request to Drop MATH215 Due to Inadequate Preparation
Dear [Advisor Name],
I am writing to request your approval to drop MATH215 from my course load this semester. Despite my best efforts to keep up with the course material, I am finding myself increasingly struggling to understand the concepts and complete the assignments.
After reviewing my academic background and speaking with the course instructor, it has become clear that I do not have the necessary foundation in advanced mathematics to succeed in this course. I did not complete the recommended prerequisite courses, and I am now realizing that I am not adequately prepared for the rigorous demands of MATH215.
I am concerned that if I continue in the course, I risk falling behind and jeopardizing my academic standing. I believe that dropping the course and focusing on building a stronger foundation in mathematics is the best path forward for my academic success.
I appreciate your guidance and support as I navigate this challenging situation. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Seven
Subject: Request to Drop ARTS120 Due to Financial Hardship
Dear [Department Head],
I am writing to formally request permission to drop ARTS120 from my current course schedule due to unexpected financial hardship. Last month, my father lost his job, and my family is now struggling to make ends meet. As a result, I have had to take on additional part-time work to help support my family and pay for my education.
The financial stress and increased work hours have made it difficult for me to devote the necessary time and attention to my studies, particularly in ARTS120, which requires a significant investment in art supplies and materials.
After careful consideration and consultation with my family, I have decided that dropping ARTS120 is necessary to alleviate some of the financial burden and allow me to focus on my other courses. I plan to retake the course in a future semester when my financial situation has stabilized.
I am grateful for your understanding and compassion during this challenging time. Please let me know if you require any additional information or documentation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Eight
Subject: Request to Drop COMM101 Due to Accessibility Concerns
Dear Disability Services Coordinator,
I am writing to request your assistance in dropping COMM101 from my course schedule this semester due to accessibility concerns related to my disability.
As a student with a hearing impairment, I rely on accommodations such as closed captioning and transcripts to access course content. However, despite communicating my needs to the instructor and working with your office to arrange accommodations, I have encountered significant barriers to accessing the materials in COMM101.
The course heavily relies on audio and video content that is not captioned, and the instructor has been unable to provide transcripts or alternative formats. As a result, I am not able to fully participate in class discussions and activities and am falling behind in my understanding of the course material.
I have tried to work with the instructor to find solutions, but at this point, I believe that dropping the course is the best option to ensure my academic success and well-being. I plan to take a different course that is more accessible and accommodating to my needs.
I appreciate your advocacy and support in ensuring that all students have equal access to education. Please let me know if you require any additional information or documentation to assist with my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Nine
Subject: Request to Drop PHYS201 Due to Course Cancellation
Dear Academic Advisor,
I am writing to inform you that I need to drop PHYS201 from my course schedule this semester due to the unexpected cancellation of the course.
I was notified this week that the course has been canceled due to low enrollment, and there are no alternative sections or courses that would fulfill the same requirement for my major.
As a result, I need to adjust my course schedule and find an alternative course to take this semester to stay on track with my degree plan. I am concerned about the impact this cancellation may have on my academic progress and would appreciate your guidance in identifying a suitable replacement course.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations or require additional information from me to process this request.
Thank you for your assistance and support,
[Your Name]
Petition Ten
Subject: Request to Drop HIST101 Due to Personal Emergency
Dear [Advisor Name],
I am writing to request your approval to drop HIST101 from my course schedule this semester due to a personal emergency that has arisen.
Last week, my younger sibling was involved in a serious car accident and sustained life-threatening injuries. They are currently hospitalized in critical condition, and I have been spending most of my time at the hospital with my family.
As a result of this traumatic event, I am finding it extremely difficult to focus on my studies and keep up with my coursework. I am particularly struggling in HIST101, as the reading and writing assignments require significant time and concentration that I am unable to give at this time.
After much consideration and consultation with my family, I have decided that dropping HIST101 is necessary to allow me to prioritize my family’s needs and my mental health during this crisis.
I appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time. Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Eleven
Subject: Request to Drop SPAN202 Due to Lack of Prerequisite Knowledge
Dear [Department Head],
I am writing to request permission to drop SPAN202 from my course schedule this semester due to a lack of prerequisite knowledge that is hindering my success in the course.
When I registered for SPAN202, I believed that I had the necessary language skills and background to succeed in the course. However, after the first few weeks of class, it has become clear that I am not adequately prepared for the level of Spanish proficiency required.
Despite my best efforts to keep up with the coursework and seek additional support from the instructor and tutoring services, I am finding myself increasingly struggling to understand and participate in class discussions and activities.
I am concerned that if I continue in the course, I risk falling behind and jeopardizing my academic standing. I believe that dropping the course and focusing on building a stronger foundation in Spanish language skills is the best path forward for my success in future Spanish courses.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding of my situation. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Twelve
Subject: Request to Drop BIOL205 Due to Course Workload
Dear Academic Advisor,
I am writing to request your approval to drop BIOL205 from my course schedule this semester due to the overwhelming workload and time commitment required for the course.
As a pre-med student, I am taking a full course load this semester, including several challenging science courses with lab components. I am finding that the workload for BIOL205, in particular, is much heavier than I anticipated, with multiple lab reports, research projects, and exams each week.
Despite my best efforts to manage my time effectively and prioritize my studies, I am struggling to keep up with the demands of the course while also maintaining my performance in my other classes.
After careful consideration and consultation with my family and academic support services, I have decided that dropping BIOL205 is necessary to ensure my overall academic success this semester. I plan to retake the course in a future semester when I can dedicate more time and energy to the material.
I appreciate your guidance and support as I navigate this challenging situation. Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Thirteen
Subject: Request to Drop MKTG301 Due to Unexpected Travel
Dear [Instructor Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request permission to drop MKTG301 from my course schedule this semester due to unexpected travel obligations that have arisen.
I have recently been invited to present my research at a prestigious international conference in my field, which is an incredible opportunity for my academic and professional development. However, the conference dates directly conflict with several key assignments and exams in MKTG301.
While I am excited about the opportunity to present my work and network with other scholars in my field, I am concerned about my ability to keep up with the course material and meet the expectations for MKTG301 while also preparing for and attending the conference.
After careful consideration and consultation with my research advisor and department head, I have decided that dropping MKTG301 is the best decision to allow me to take advantage of this unique opportunity without compromising my academic performance.
I regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding of my situation. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Petition Fourteen
Subject: Request to Drop ECON310 Due to Incompatible Learning Style
Dear [Advisor Name],
I am writing to request your approval to drop ECON310 from my course load this semester due to a learning style incompatibility with the course format and instructor’s teaching methods.
As a student with a learning disability, I benefit from a variety of instructional strategies and accommodations to support my learning, such as visual aids, hands-on activities, and frequent feedback and guidance from instructors.
However, despite communicating my learning needs to the instructor and seeking accommodations through disability services, I am finding that the lecture-heavy format and lack of interactive elements in ECON310 are not conducive to my learning style and are hindering my ability to understand and retain the course material.
I have tried to adapt to the course format and seek additional support, but I am increasingly falling behind and feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
After much reflection and consultation with disability services and my academic advisor, I have decided that dropping ECON310 is necessary for my academic success and well-being. I plan to take a different economics course with a more compatible instructional format in a future semester.
I appreciate your understanding and support as I navigate the challenges of finding courses that meet my learning needs. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Petition Fifteen
Subject: Request to Drop PSCI405 Due to Internship Opportunity
Dear [Department Head],
I am writing to request permission to drop PSCI405 from my course schedule this semester to take advantage of a prestigious internship opportunity in my field of study.
I have recently been offered a competitive internship position at [Organization Name], which aligns perfectly with my career goals in political science and public policy. The internship requires a significant time commitment and would provide me with valuable hands-on experience and professional connections.
However, the internship schedule directly conflicts with the meeting times for PSCI405, and I am concerned about my ability to balance the demands of both the course and the internship.
After careful consideration and consultation with my faculty advisor and the internship supervisor, I have decided that dropping PSCI405 is the best decision to allow me to fully engage in this unique learning and professional development opportunity.
I understand that this decision may impact my progress toward my degree, but I believe that the skills, experience, and connections I will gain through the internship will be invaluable for my future career prospects.
I am committed to working with you and my faculty advisor to develop a plan for completing the necessary coursework and staying on track with my degree requirements.
Thank you for considering my request and for your support of my academic and professional goals. Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Petitioning to drop a unit can be a valuable tool for students facing a variety of academic, personal, and professional challenges.
By clearly communicating your reasons and needs to your instructors, advisors, and support services, you can advocate for your academic success and well-being.
We hope that these sample petitions have provided guidance and inspiration for crafting your effective requests.
Remember, your academic journey is unique, and there is no shame in seeking help and accommodations when you need them.
Wishing you all the best in your studies and beyond!