Second-Year Stride

Welcome to the Queen’s Campus and the city of Kingston! Learn more about navigating campus, having a successful off-campus housing experience, finding places to eat on- and off-campus, and more!

Come explore our campus from anywhere in the world! Take a virtual Campus Tour or click through photos to be taken to a virtual experience platform. 

Housing

• Connect with our Off-Campus Living Advisor to find housing and housemates, and with the AMS for information on tenant responsibilities and rights.
• Subscribe to our Off-Campus Living newsletter by emailing ocla@queensu.ca.
• Access support from the Housing Resource Centre in a safe and confidential space if you are experiencing a conflict with a landlord or housemate.
• If you are an international student, learn about living in Kingston through the QUIC.

Eating On and Off Campus

• Find some of your favorite foods, spices, and products at local restaurants and stores.
• Explore a wide variety of retail dining options at convenient locations across the main campus!
• The Campus Market has everything you need for your snacking and pantry essentials. Choose form fresh local produce, campus bakeshop items, read-made meals, and more.
• If you are an upper-year student, we have an Off-Campus Meal Plan to fit your on-campus lifestyle.

Exploring the City

• Watch for emails about in-person campus tours for second-year students at the start of the term.
• Check out all of the amazing things the City of Kingston has to offer.
• Download the City of Kingston’s Transit planner to get bus options to and from your home and campus and around town.
• Learn about Sustainable Queen's and how student led clubs and initiatives are taking on multiple aspects of environmental sustainability.

Student Community Relations

• The Student Community Relations Office strives to foster positive neighbourhood relations and good citizenship with Queen’s Students living in the Kingston Community. Please visit the student community relations website for further information and to learn about opportunities for local volunteerism, community engagement and more.

Second year can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, and it’s important to take care of your well-being. Queen’s offers programs and services that promote healthy living to help you thrive.

Health Screening

• Before coming to campus buildings, faculty, staff, students, and visitors must download the university’s SeQure App and complete a short COVID-19 assessment questionnaire. The app will advise whether you can proceed with your visit. This app questionnaire should be completed before any trips to indoor campus spaces
• Review all COVID-19-related health and safety info on the Safe Return to Campus website.

Food

• Develop healthy eating habits by picking up one of our Fresh Food Boxes or taking our Healthy Cooking Classes.
• Read The Scoop which is a nutritional food blog for nutrition and sustainability information.
• Review the Food Safety at Home steps!
• Take a look at the Food Access Resource page for a comprehensive list of food access resources both on campus and in the Kingston community.

Mental Health

• Support your mental health by attending weekly Wellness Groups, events, and trainings offered by Student Wellness Services and following Queen’s Be Well on social media.
• Talk to a peer at the AMS Peer Support Centre.
• If you or someone you know is struggling, whether with academic or non-academic issues, email Support Services & Community Engagement for help.
• Watch for second-year-specific modules on TAO – Therapy Assistance Online.

Exercise

• Sign up for intramurals or fitness classes at the ARC.

Queen’s offers many exciting opportunities for you to get involved in the community!

• Are you an international or domestic student? Visit the QUIC for social activities, programs and events.
• Connect with Yellow House, a safe, comfortable and accountable space for QTBIPOC students to create community, feel empowered, empower others, and celebrate and honour your histories.
• Check out the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (4D), a home away from home for Indigenous students, offering support services, feasts, and social and cultural activities.
• Learn more about the AMS, your student government, and the clubs, programs and opportunities they offer.
• Meet students with common interests and join a club at the Tricolour Open House.
• Attend our Leadership Workshop Series to expand your leadership knowledge, develop new skills, and connect with peers.
• Get matched with an upper-year peer mentor who can help you continue to develop the skills you need to be successful at university. The program aims to build confidence, encourage healthy lifestyles, and contribute to a satisfying university experience.
• Looking to get involved? Discover the various volunteer opportunities available to you on campus.
• Learn about how to be sustainable off-campus!
• Visit the Clubs Directory for all kinds of communities you can get involved with.
• Discover more ways to get involved at Queen's!

You don’t have to manage your academic career alone; Queen’s is here to support you! 

• Complete Levelling Up: Essential Skills for Second-year Success, an asynchronous mini-course designed to help your academic transition to and through second year.
• Book a 1:1 appointment with Student Academic Success Services (SASS) to enhance your skills in writing, critical thinking, reading, studying, and time management.
• Attend a SASS workshop delivered by our professional staff and/or peer volunteers on a variety of academic topics related to second-year success. 
• Are you a multilingual student? Use SASS' programs and resources to build confidence as you work on academic English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
• Connect with an Academic Advisor from your faculty for program-specific questions.
• Familiarize yourself with Queen’s University Library, a key resource for all students, and develop the necessary search strategies to ensure success in your courses.
• Visit the Academic Grievance Centre if you have questions or concerns about academic grievances, discipline, or regulations.
• Check out our award-winning Major Maps—tailored to every program—which provide advice on academics, extracurriculars, networking, international opportunities, and career planning.
• Connect with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) about academic accommodations if you have a disability that affects your participation in the academic learning environment.
• If you are a student with an accommodation, contact the Adaptive Technology Centre to find out how to access assistive devices, computer hardware, and specialized software that enable students with disabilities to research, write and study more effectively.
• Let Career Services help you make informed decisions about your career, further education and employment next steps.

Learn how to budget and even save money at university with the help of Queen's resources and supports.

• Apply now for OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program and ensure your application is being processed.
• Use the Government of Canada budgeting for student life and budget worksheet to help you figure out how much money you’ll get and spend during your studies.
• Check out Student Awards to learn more about Government Student Assistance, Queen's scholarships, bursaries, and work programs. Have a question? Email awards@queensu.ca to connect with one of their knowledgeable staff.
• Discover the various employment opportunities available to you on campus. 
• Find out how the QUIC can help you learn about study permits, working while in Canada, financing, and budgeting as an international student.

Have questions or want to chat? Find out more information and who to contact.

If you have questions about second-year stride, or need support, but are not sure who to contact, email student.experience@queensu.ca

For information on all student services and how to connect with them, visit the DSA Student Resources page.