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Well, I've done all I can.


My only chance of being reinstated to uni next semester rests with the “Withdrawal without academic penalty” form I've just submitted. If successful, it means that the fail grades I got for the two units I was unable to complete last semester, which lead to my exclusion, will be removed. This will raise my GPA* to well above what is required to continue with my course.

I did submit this form with my appeal against exclusion, but it was returned to me, requesting more detailed information. The medical information I included with my appeal wasn't sufficient to use with my withdrawal application. Fortunately, because I had submitted it with my appeal, I was still able to resubmit it, even after being excluded.

This time I included a report from my psychiatrist (this was no time to be shy about my mental health issues, if it could help me get reinstated), as well as from my GP. I'm glad I did, as my GP provided about three lines in a letter, while my shrink wrote me a page and a half.

With my own letter of explanation, I've done the very best I can to meet the demanding criteria of this particular form, and can only wait and see. I will be waiting some time, as they can take up to 6 weeks to come to a decision.

In the meantime, I need to put it out of my mind, and concentrate on developing a Plan B. I'm hoping to find another volunteer position in a school, helping high school students with their literacy, to complement the couple of hours I spent at the Boul (homework club) at Waterford West State School. I am also knitting like a fiend while watching lots of documentaries on ABC and SBS, and, very happily, have 10 more days of the Paralympics to keep me distracted.

I have several domestic projects to occupy me, like sugar-soaping off all the blobs of slobber and eye goober that Dexter has shaken over my walls, and de-mouldifying the drawers in my kitchen (no, I still haven't done that, and now I don't have an excuse not to). If I get really desperate, I could clean my car.

I also want to get my veggie garden up and running, and just saw an awesome vertical pallet planter on Gardening Australia that I want (someone) to (help me) make. It's perfect for growing strawberries.....

I am still passionately interested in teaching, and especially in helping young people improve their literacy, and it is still my goal to become a classroom teacher. I hope I can continue studying at QUT, but there are other options available.

*grade point average

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