November 27, 2025

Issue 18

Stay up-to-date with all the latest happenings in Residence and on campus.

Academic Support

Get It Done!

Sunday, November 30

12–7 pm

Mitchell Hall, Room 215



Join Residence Life and Services and Student Academic Success Services (SASS) for a day of effective studying! Peer and professional staff will be on hand to help you complete assignments, write papers, start prepping for exams, or work on anything else you need help with. Snacks and drinks provided! This is a drop in event.

Don't Ask AI – Ask the AIC!

Looking for study strategies that stick? Struggling with procrastination or burnout? Want to strengthen your academic skills and feel more confident heading into exams?

Connect with Mikayla Sebesta, your Residence Academic Initiatives Coordinator (AIC) for personalized guidance and resources to help you thrive.

Email Mikayla at m.sebesta@queensu.ca to ask a question or book a time to chat!

22-hour Quiet Hours begin December 2 at 11 pm

Starting December 2 at 11 pm, extended Quiet Hours will be in effect throughout Residence to support a calm and focused environment as you prepare for exams.

• Quiet Hours: 22 hours a day
• Courtesy Hours: 7–9 pm daily

Please be mindful of noise levels so as not to disturb your community. Excessive noise is a violation of your Residence Contract (clause 4.10.8).

If you find that Quiet Hours are not being respected, you can get assistance from a Don on call by calling the front desk.

Good luck with your studies – we believe in you!

Upcoming Events

Residence Pilates

Thursday, November 27, 6:30–7:30 pm

Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Room 295

Join us tonight for the last class of the semester!

This class emphasizes precise movements to activate, isolate, and stabilize core muscles. This class is great for improving posture, flexibility, balance and strength, to help you stay strong throughout your workweek. The class is a mixture of beginner and intermediate exercises and options will be given for all levels.

Registration Required

Make Your Own Pennant

Thursday, November 27, 7:30–8:30 pm

Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Community Room

Take a break from studying and create a custom pennant flag! Grab your friends, enjoy some snacks, and let your imagination lead the way.

No registration required.

Holiday Cards for Survivors

Tuesday, December 2, 12:30–2 pm

Jean Royce Hall near the private dining room

This season can be especially difficult for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign,* we are working with Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services (SVPRS) to host Holiday Cards for Survivors: a quiet, creative space to offer messages of support, hope, and resilience.

We’ll be painting watercolour holiday cards and writing messages for survivors. No experience needed. Come paint, come write, or just show up.

Completed cards will be shared with:

• Students visiting SVPRS
• Interval House Kingston
• Sexual Assault Centre Kingston

No registration required.

*Learn more about 16 Days of Activism in the "Around Campus News" section below.

Work in Residence next year!

Ready to make an impact?

Join the Residence Life and Services team! We’re looking for friendly, responsible, and enthusiastic students who are ready to make a difference as Residence Dons, Residence Program Assistants, and Front Desk Representatives.

Applications open December 1 – January 9.

Not sure which role would suit you best? Take our leadership quiz to find out!

Apply with confidence!

We’ve partnered with Queen's Career Services to provide valuable guidance as you apply to student Residence job opportunities.

Resume & Cover Letter Workshop

Thursday, December 4, 2–3 pm

Hybrid – Gordon Hall Room 324 or on Zoom

Learn how to use key strategies to highlight your unique skills, knowledge, and experience on your resume or CV and cover letter.

Interview Workshop

Wednesday, January 14, 5–6 pm

Hybrid – Gordon Hall Room 324 or on Zoom

Learn strategies to approach your next interview with confidence and readiness. Come ready to engage in practice sessions and leave feeling fully prepared for your upcoming interview!

Winter Break & Stayover information

Exam season is almost upon us! To maintain a quiet study environment for all students during the exam period, you are required to leave Residence by 3 pm the day after writing your last scheduled exam, or by noon on Saturday, December 20 at the latest.

If you need to extend your Residence stay beyond 3 pm on the day after your last exam, or if you need to stay over the break, please go to the Residence and Dining Portal to fill out one or both of the below forms:

1. Residence Extension Request – to request to remain in Residence past 3 pm on the day after your last exam
2. Residence Stayover Form – to request to stay in Residence over the break (for some or all of the time between noon on December 20 and January 3)

Last day to order packages is December 8

As we approach the winter break, please note that all mail and package deliveries to campus will end on December 19 at 7 pm when the Watts Hall Mail Depot closes for the season.

To make sure you receive any orders before the break, please plan accordingly and stop placing new orders by December 8. This cutoff will allow enough time for items to arrive and be processed on campus before closing.

Thank you for your cooperation. For any questions, please contact resmaildepot@queensu.ca.

Front Desk closures

Front Desks will be closed during the Winter Break from December 24 to January 2. Please reference the table below for closure details.

Residence Conduct Corner

Amnesty Period for Return of University/Other Property: December 1–12

We need you help to maintain the great community we've built together. Unfortunately, we've had a few incidents of damaged and stolen university property in our Residence buildings this term. Not only does this show disrespect to your peers, but it also puts an extra burden on our hardworking Facilities staff who keep our spaces safe and clean.

We're launching an initiative to retrieve these items, and we're counting on you! If you've come across any stolen or damaged items, we invite you to return them to the Residence Conduct & Support Office in Victoria Hall C110 – no questions asked.

The return period is from December 1–12, Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon and 1–4 pm. After this period, any stolen or damaged items found will lead to sanctions and restitution charges to cover repair costs. Remember, you're responsible for your Residence room and everything inside it, no matter how those items got there.

Shop Local

If you’re thinking about holiday gifts, why not shop local? Kingston has many unique stores that offer one-of-a-kind items—perfect for reducing shipping waste and finding memorable keepsakes! Check out Visit Kingston’s guide to explore our city’s hidden gems.

Bottomless Beverage Stickers Are Here!

Stay fuelled this exam season! Purchase a Bottomless Beverage sticker at a participating location for $25, place it on your reusable mug, and treat yourself to free unlimited tea and drip coffee from December 1 to December 20!*

Participating locations: The Lazy Scholar, Location 21, Wally's, MC2, Student Street Express, Jean Royce Barista, Goodes Café, and The Library Cafe.

*Please see adjusted hours of operation for dining locations below

Exam Period Hours of Operations

As the Winter Break approaches, please note that dining locations will operate on adjusted hours starting December 5. Remember to plan ahead!

The last meal before Winter Break closure will be brunch at Leonard and Jean Royce dining halls on December 20. The first meal back will be dinner at Leonard and Jean Royce dining halls on January 4.

Smoothie Bike Pop-Up at Jean Royce

Monday, December 1

8:30–9:30 am

Jean Royce dining hall

Kick-start your Monday with a boost of energy! Swing by Jean Royce dining hall for a refreshing green smoothie – blended by your pedal power. Hop on the smoothie bike, get those legs moving, and enjoy a delicious, freshly made drink to start your day right.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Join Queen's Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services as we mark the global 16 Days of Activism campaign which began on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and runs through December 10 (Human Rights Day).

Throughout this period, we’ll be sharing resources, reflections, and actions you can take to help end sexual and intimate partner violence—follow @qusvprs on Instagram to take part and amplify the message.

Events and Resources

Academic Support

• Book writing and academic skills appointments (in person or online) with Student Academic Success Services (SASS).
• Did you know SASS has a number of online resources to help you plan, study, and write exams? Click the button below for this year's exam study schedule template, tips on managing test anxiety, and more!

Connection

• QUIC Holiday Open House – Join QUIC for a holiday soup lunch on December 3 from 11:30 am–1 pm. Come for the food, and stay for holiday crafting, conversation, and board games.
• Check out Yellow House's upcoming programming to warm your spirit – Gender Splendor, Black Swims, Solidarity Swims, Queer Scribbles, and more.
• Hospitality Services will spread holiday cheer by distributing “Gael's Gifts” to students on December 8 across campus.
• Faith and Spiritual Life is hosting Cookies and Conversation Exam Drop-Ins from Monday to Friday, December 8–19.

Study Spots

• All students are welcome to study at QUIC throughout December. Mitchell Hall 208, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm.
• QTBIPoC students (queer, transgender, Black, Indigenous, and/or students of colour) can study at the Yellow House Rideau location. Monday to Friday, 10 am–4 pm, Rideau Building, third floor (207 Stuart St).
• Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (4D) is hosting 4D Study Day for Indigenous students. There will be quiet study spaces, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and optional self-care activities. December 3, 9 am–4 pm, 144-146 Barrie St.
• 4D also welcomes Indigenous students to stop by and study throughout December. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm, 144-146 Barrie St.
• The Student Experience Office (SEO) is open for quiet study time Monday to Friday, December 3–19, 1–3:30 pm, JDUC 216.

Wellness

• Register here to join Student Wellness Services' free, online workshop, Caring for Present and Future You, on December 3. Check in with your current stress habits and create an action plan to proactively take care of yourself.
• Group Fitness classes at the ARC are free with your membership from December 8–13 and December 15–19. Stay active to keep your energy up this exam season!

Queen’s Community Housing Listings

Did you know that Queen’s owns and operates housing steps from campus? Check out Community Housing property locations here.

Available housing options will be posted to the Accommodation Listing Service on December 4.

For more information, visit the Community Housing website or contact community.housing@queensu.ca.

Myth Buster: Is It Really Too Late to Sign a Lease for Next Year?

You might hear that if you haven’t signed a lease by now, you’ll miss out on housing for next year – but that’s not true.

In Kingston, most rental listings appear between December and February, once current tenants decide whether to renew or move. Many leases end in April, and by law, tenants must give 60 days’ notice. This means landlords often confirm availability in late winter.

What does this mean for you?

• There’s still plenty of time to find housing.
• Waiting can give you access to more options.
• You have time to plan, find roommates, and make informed decisions.

Bottom line: Don’t rush. Do your research, explore your options, and choose what’s right for you.