Fall Orientation

​​​​​​Fall Orientation for undergraduate students is made up of two parts – University Orientation programming and Faculty Orientation programming. Both aspects of Fall Orientation are designed to support your transition to University and get you prepared for the school year ahead!

Fall Orientation 2023 planning is underway! This website will be updated with information as details are confirmed. 
Below is an example of what you can expect, but not the confirmed activities for 2023. 

Sept 2 Sept 3 Sept 4 Sept 5 Spet 6 Sept 7 Sept 8 Sept 9 Sept 10

Residence Move in 

First-Year OCC Welcome

University Orientation

University Orientation 

Faculty Orientation Starts!

Faculty Orientation Day!

First Day of Classes!

University Orientation (Evening)

Classes

Community Meetings (Evening)

Classes

Tricolour Open House

Classes

ORT Mystery Concert

Faculty Orientation Day!

Faculty Orientation Day!

Building Meetings (Evening)

 

For a more detailed look at the schedules, visit SCHEDULE HUB! 

Not sure which Orientation activities are free and what you need to register for? Not to worry, take our simple Orientation Program quiz!

Orientation Program Quiz

What to Expect:

We can't wait to welcome you to Queen's University during Fall Orientation 2023! 

University Orientation is a free program run by the Student Experience Office. It is part of First Year Foundations and, in collaboration with Faculty Orientation, makes up Queen's Fall Orientation! It is open to all incoming students and is free!

This will build on the information provided to you during the Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR). Virtual content will be added to your FYF 100 course, and in-person activities will occur early in September. Check your schedule on Raftr, with your Residence Don, or Off-Campus Leader!

You Will:

  • Learn about the resources and clubs available at Queen's and how to access them;
  • Engage with interactive content that will help you feel a sense of belonging and school spirit;
  • Participate in class-wide events, such as a special Welcome Address from our Principal;
  • And so much more!

Events

September 2:

  • Welcome Home Night - 7:30 - 10:30 PM at Kingston Hall, AB Field, and Nixon Field 
    There is a little something for everyone at Welcome Home Night like tricolour crafts, a movie night, snacks and sports! Come out and meet upper-year leaders and an evening campus tour. We will have food trucks, free snacks, and many campus partners hosting craft and activity stations - all while CFRC plays music for the sports on Nixon Field and in tennis courts.
  • Campus Highlight Tours - departing from Welcome Home Night
    Join a campus tour to hear from upper-year guides about the "need to know" locations for your first month on campus. These short evening tours will introduce you to the essential locations for snacks, studying and staying fit. Reserve your spot here: Campus Highlights tours at Welcome Home Night 

September 3:

  • Tricolour Parade and Welcome, and picnic lunch! 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Tindall Parking Lot
    (Living in Jean Royce Hall? We will pick you up on the way! Meet out front)

    The incoming class will parade to the official welcome and kick-off of Fall Orientation in Richardson Stadium. The entire incoming class assembles at Tindall Field and will walk along Union St. together toward West Campus. Learn the Oil Thigh, hear from student leaders, and enjoy a picnic lunch! This is the only orientation event that includes the entire open class (all faculties)!

September 5:

September 7:

  • Tricolour Open House (open to all students) 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Atheltics & Recreation Centre (ARC) Main Gym
    In partnership with the AMS Clubs Office and Athletics & Recreation, the Tricolour Open House is an opportunity for new and returning students to learn about the diverse selection of clubs and campus resources at Queen’s.

Have questions? Reach out to our Orientation Team at fall.orientation@queensu.ca

Faculty of Arts and Science

Arts & Science Orientation

Smith School of Business

Commerce Orientation

School of Computing

Computing Orientation

Faculty of Engineering

Engineering Orientation

Faculty of Health Sciences

Health Sciences Orientation

School of Kinesiology

Kinesiology Orientation

New, Exchange, Worldly & Transfer Students

NEWTS Orientation

School of Nursing

Nursing Orientation

Living Off-Campus?

The First-Year Off-Campus Community (First-Year OCC) is a group of first-year students living off-campus, upper-year student leaders known as "Off-Campus Leaders" (OCLs), and an executive team of upper-year students. Working together, the First-Year OCC aims to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for first-year students that live in Kingston and the surrounding areas, but do not live in residence.

 

First-Year OCC Orientation

How do I attend Orientation? 
You will be automatically enrolled in University Orientation for all incoming students. There is no cost and no need to register for this program. The schedule for University Orientation events will be shared in late August.

For faculty-specific events, students will be required to register should they choose to participate in the activities planned by upper-year students. To find out more information about registering for your respective Faculty Orientation, you can visit the faculty pages and use the Program Quiz to find out which faculty is for you! 

Is Orientation mandatory?  
Participation in Orientation is optional. However, we do strongly recommend that you attend live events and work through the asynchronous content at your own pace. The goal of Orientation programming is to ease both your academic and social transitions to Queen’s and set you up for success! 

Will I be able to meet people in my program?  
Yes! Before Orientation, the Student Experience Office will offer a ton of programming for you to attend and meet your peers. During Orientation, your respective Faculty Orientation executives will be hard at work leading activities and events to give you the opportunity to meet other incoming students in your program, as well as upper-year students that can serve as your mentors throughout your time at Queen’s.