Helpful tips for university students living at home
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Establish a routine: Set a consistent schedule for attending classes, studying, and completing assignments. A steady routine helps you stay organized and makes the most of your time at home.
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Communicate your schedule. Share your class times, study blocks, and major commitments with your family so they know when you're available and when you need quiet, uninterrupted time. Clear communication helps prevent conflicts, reduces interruptions, and sets realistic expectations for everyone at home.
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Embrace independence. Living at home can be a chance to build your independence and strengthen important life skills. Take responsibility for managing your finances, contributing to household chores, and looking after your own well-being. These habits will support you throughout university and beyond.
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Establish a support system. Connect with other students who are also living at home or join virtual study groups to stay engaged. A support network can boost motivation, provide accountability, and create opportunities to collaborate on assignments or prepare for exams.
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Prioritize self-care: Balancing schoolwork, family responsibilities, and personal time is important when you're living at home. Make space for the activities that support your well-being. Things like exercise, hobbies, time with loved ones, and getting enough sleep. Taking care of yourself helps you stay focused, energized, and better equipped to manage the demands of university life.
Every student's transition to university looks a little different, so it's important to adapt these tips to what works best for you. Stay open-minded, proactive, and willing to explore new opportunities as you embark on this exciting phase of your educational journey.
Commuting to campus
Commuting to campus offers students a range of transportation options, each with its own level of convenience, cost, and flexibility. Whether you travel by public transit, car, bike, or by walking, each mode of transportation shapes your daily routine and overall campus experience.
Driving to campus can be a convenient option for students who prefer the flexibility of using their own vehicle.
- A parking permit guarantees you a parking space on campus, though not in a specific lot or location. Parking permits are not valid at parking meters.
- Students who prefer daily surface parking, can park at select lots using the HONK Mobile App or Pay & Display machines.
- Parking is free in all on-campus lots on weekends and after 5pm on weekdays.
Commuters may also consider a City of Kingston commuter parking permit, which provides access to designated commuter parking areas.
If you're driving to campus, consider the following:
- Keep essentials in your car, such as jumper cables, a flashlight and blankets.
- Ensure your vehicle is in good working order and monitor weather conditions, especially during winter.
- Keep your gas tank full, and have a backup plan in case you're delayed or need to stay overnight with a friend.
Taking the bus is a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option for many Queen’s students.
- Through the AMS Bus-It program, eligible students receive a full-year bus pass, including summer access. On Kingston Transit, tap your card at the vehicle entrance.
- Kingston Transit offers Park & Ride lots with free parking on a first-come, first-served basis for those who want to combine driving and public transit.
- All Kingston Transit buses are equipped with rack and roll bike racks year-round, making it easy to combine cycling with bus travel. Click this link for a step-by-step tutorial.
Riding the bus gives you the chance to relax, catch up on readings, or enjoy the scenic views around Kingston during your commute.
Cycling is a popular, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around Kingston and the Queen’s campus.
- Queen's is a bike-friendly campus with more than 400 bike racks available.
- Secure bike storage is available for an annual fee of $25, offering added protection for your bike.
- Students are encouraged to register their bikes for free through the Kingston Police Bicycle Registry, which increases the chances of recovery in case of theft.
- Kingston Transit buses also support cyclists with rack and roll bike racks throughout the year.
Cycling is a great option whether you're commuting to class, exploring the city, or enjoying Kingston's many scenic routes.
Student Life Centre (SLC)
The Student Life Centre (SLC), located on the first floor of the John Deutsch University Centre, offers locker rentals for students who need a secure place to store books, gym gear or personal items between classes. Lockers cost $30.00 per semester. If belongings aren't removed by the end of the rental period, a $10 content-recovery fee is charged, and items are held for 30 days before being cleared.
For questions or more details about locker rentals, contact the SLC Operations and Sustainability Manager at slc.ops@ams.queensu.ca.
SLC Locker RentalsHangout spots on campus
Even if you're living at home and commuting, finding your favourite places on campus can make Queen's feel like your second home. Here are some popular spots to relax, study, and connect with friends.
Located in the heart of campus, the Queen's Centre is a busy hub for student life. It's home to athletic facilities, study spaces, food options, and plenty of places to meet up between classes.
Found in Beamish Munro Hall, the Tea Room offers a cozy, sustainable cafe environment. It's a great place to grab a drink, study, or catch up with friends in a relaxed setting.
The Isabel hosts concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, and art exhibitions throughout the year. It's also a beautiful spot to study or unwind with views of the water.
Mitchell Hall is another major student hub, offering study spaces, student services, workshops, clubs, events and more. There's also a Starbucks inside - perfect for a mid-day caffeine boost.
Queen's libraries offer quiet study areas, group rooms, and comfortable spaces to read or work with classmates. Each library has its own atmosphere and resources to support different academic needs.
Queen's has six libraries across campus:
| Library | Address |
|---|---|
| Stauffer Library | 101 Union Street |
| Douglas Library | 93 University Avenue |
| Bracken Health Sciences Library | 18 Stuart Street |
| Education Library | 511 Union Street |
| Jordan Special Locations | 2nd Floor of Douglas Library |
| Lederman Law Library | 128 Union Street |
