Do’s and don’ts for a seamless back-to-school weekend

The flurry of activity and massive list of move-in tasks can seem impossible to manage for some Queen’s students, but this veteran student has some suggestions for how to make the most of this weekend.

Ending the summer with a busy arrival back to Kingston is a classic Queen’s student experience. The hassle of cramming IKEA furniture into too-small a student house, meeting up with friends from last semester, and enrolling in classes forgotten about in July, are a few of the many things needing to be accomplished in a few short days.

Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

Do: take your time

Moving in isn’t a race, and rushing can end badly—trust me, I know this from personal experience. My first day moving into residence involved an incident with a minifridge, a hospital visit, and 13 stitches. Be sure to practice good pacing and take breaks to enjoy the excitement of meeting up with friends and roommates, new and old alike.

Don’t: sleep on second-hand shopping

Thrifting in Kingston at locations like YGK Thrift and Phase 2 Kingston is a sustainable way to shop locally for last-minute, secondhand furniture and clothes. With the move-in rush comes an inevitable purge of items from all students—often containing those must-have items from IKEA, it is hard to get hands on in Kingston. A new favourite going-out top or double bed frame may be for sale a few streets over.

Do: stock up on groceries and necessities strategically

Eventually, the stash of food students may hoard from their family’s fridge back home will run out. A best practice is to communicate with housemates to see which items make sense to buy in bulk and split; common sense, which isn’t always so common. Take advantage of student discounts at grocery stores like Metro, which offers 10 per cent off to students with a valid Queen’s ID and sticker seven days a week.

Don’t: leave course review to the last minute

Take a beat and get that Google Calendar in check. One helpful tip is to label an academic calendar with room numbers for lectures, and to take a brisk walking tour of campus before the first day of classes to ensure a general understanding of campus is acquired. There’s nothing worse than being late for one’s first seminar because of getting lost in the Mackintosh-Corry Hall labyrinth.

Do: try a new café

Especially for those living off-campus for the first time, finding a go-to spot for coffee and studying is essential. Downtown spots like Coffee & Company can fill the void left by on-campus dining locations in first year. Avoid hotspots near campus, like the Starbucks on Division and Johnson St., which will be packed with students who may not have ventured off the beaten path toward other options.

Don’t: go too hard for Labour Day

The first weekend back at Queen’s can be hectic, evidenced by annual increases in police charges during orientation week. Definitely have fun, but beware of going all-out on Friday night and having nothing left in the tank come Tuesday morning. Labour Day weekend is the perfect time to let loose with friends and relax before coursework inevitably piles up. Make smart decisions and pace yourself so you can start the semester off right!

Do: take a break at the pier

Spending sunny afternoons at the Gord Downie Pier is a luxury that vanishes with the summer weather. Swimming, playing Spikeball, and watching the sunset are perfect activities to share with friends. Don’t miss this classic Queen’s activity. Bring something cold to drink and wear sunscreen.

Finally, and maybe most importantly…

Don’t forget to breathe

It can be easy to burn out before classes even start. Take time to slow down and remind yourself there’s a whole school year ahead with plenty of weekends to figure everything out.