Academic dismissal appeal: balancing work, family, and studies

Letter of Appeal

Dear Xxxx,

The last couple of years have been a challenging one not only for me but for my family as well. This has been exacerbated by the current economic situation the nation has been facing and the effects of which trickled down to the least privileged of society. Being the sole breadwinner in my family working three quarters of the time while endeavoring also to study on a full-time basis, I had to balance the demands of my working, academic and family lives. Life was not easy but I had to push forward because I know my family depends on me a great deal. Although my wife wanted to find a job to help with the finances, she could not do so since she had to take care of our three young children. Consequently, all these challenges and difficulties took their toll on my academic standing that my GPA fell below the required minimum of 2.50. I have been penalized with a one-year dismissal from the university in order to get my affairs in order and strive to provide first the needs of my family and the requirements of my work.

Having been out of school for a year, I have been able to improve my personal and work situation that I am now ready to go back and finish my scholastic degree. I know this will again be a difficult undertaking and I might go back to the difficult situation I was in prior to my dismissal. But the last year has given me enough time to sort my life in order and develop a viable plan that will see major improvements in how I will manage the responsibilities and accountabilities of being a full-time student, a part-time worker and a family man. I have discussed things with my wife and she has given all her support whereby she will help me with some of the things that need to get done. I also was able to learn how to better manage my time and set my priorities in order. I have applied this knowledge in my work and family life and I have seen how effective I was in implementing them. Given the chance to get readmitted at university, I know I will be equally successful in applying time management and priority setting skills and knowledge.