A single plus room isn’t the be all, end all of first year at Queen’s. There’s much more to it than that.
After I received my acceptance letter from Queen’s, I immediately began to wonder what my first-year living situation would look like. Some quick research and a few virtual room tours led me to believe I needed to end up in a single-plus.
My first (of many) freshman year clichés were the tears following my random room selection time slot. Of course, by evening on the second day of selection, it was slim pickings. Not only was every single-plus gone, but I was in a battle for the last few singles closer than two kilometres away from main campus.
The truth is, your residence experience can’t be based upon how recently your building was opened. You might just find true community and friendship in a building that was once your worst nightmare, with a floor of complete strangers.
My favourite moments of first year have all taken place in my old, dark Gordon-Brockington House single, or the rooms of my floormates. So, if you’re an incoming first year petrified of a “bad” residence, take this advice from me.
What you think you’ll hate, you’ll love. Life goes on, even if you don’t get your dream room selection. Single-plus residences have everything you need within the confinements of your room. While an introvert’s dream, this provides little opportunity to connect with your neighbours and floormates.
The older, communal residences promote the idea of togetherness. What you lack in luxury, you gain in community and friendship. Privacy isn’t the luxury you think it is. The best experiences are a result of sharing your spaces and spending every waking moment alongside the same people for eight months. You’ll look back to move in weekend and struggle to a time you didn’t co-exist with your floormates. Having your own bathroom will be quickly trumped by never having to brush your teeth alone.
With that said, appreciate your floormates. The people on your floor are characters you’ll come to miss as this chapter ends.
The chaos of residence is special—the packed kitchen with Brita water jugs being filled, popcorn being popped, and dishes being washed. Special memories are made from the mundane, like everybody sitting in the coolest room on the hottest early-September day, and the conversations—brief or hours long—as everyone returns after a long day of class.
These are the moments of unity you’ll miss after moving out of residence. It’s never too late to connect with those on your floor. At Queen’s, you’ll meet people from everywhere—put the effort in and make the most of it.
Cherish the experience. You learn to love co-existing with the people on your floor. It’s a privilege to eat every meal, walk in groups, and silently work on assignments—also known as scrolling Tik Tok—together. The everyday moments you think will last forever are fleeting, so it’s important to appreciate them.
On the worst days, after a brutal midterm or on a regretful Sunday morning, you have your friends to come back to and lean on.
It’s not every day you live a step away from your best friends. Not a couple streets over, not in the same city, but one door away from their room. Don’t take for granted the proximity residence gives you.
Lastly—and this is the best advice I’ll give— everyone’s in the same spot. It’s easy for some to put on the facade they have it all figured out—with a brochure friend group, set career path, or perfect roommate. In truth, we’re all navigating this together. Everyone wants to make friends—you’ll find your people, even if it takes a couple weeks, months, or years.
That Orientation Week friend group isn’t forever. The friends you make will come and go throughout your journey at Queen’s, and even more often in first year. If you don’t strike gold in residence, you will in a class or club. Community is everywhere at Queen’s, and it’s yours to find.
As you put together your list of residence choices, rethink what you want out of first year. Class of 2029, I hope you’re excited to experience Queen’s residence.
If you get a late selection time, or even not time at all—don’t count yourself out of a good year. Instead, get ready for the best one yet.
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