The fall semester always begins with a strange sort of optimism, like we’ve been granted the blessing of a fresh start simply because the calendar flipped pages, and our professors have uploaded yet another extremely detailed or vague syllabus. The air in September smells like student ambition, with the optimistic feeling of possibility, like maybe this  will be the term we finally master balance, drink water that isn’t caffeinated, and stop calling granola bars breakfast. Th

To me, August has a very specific energy. The streets are quieter, the days are warmer, and the lake looks especially inviting. But I think somewhere in the back of all our minds, there’s a little reminder: September is coming, i.e., classes are starting. It’s a funny in-between time: part of you might want to soak up every last drop of summer, while another part feels the pressure of routines, schedules, and the buzz of campus life returning.  Instead of letting that thought

After the chaos and closure every winter semester brings, all I wanted was a tan and more time. Then, life happened.  But is this not what I wanted? I ask myself: I am working the internship that I worked so hard to prepare for during midterm season, I am spending quality time with my family, I have all the time to mentally rest and recover for another rigorous academic year; What more could one need? As true as that all may be, it is equally true and important to recognize

Retrieved from Pexels.com Dear Screen Time,  I think we should go on a break.    Do not get me wrong: thank you  for the wonderful time that we had this summer! The memes, the memories, all the sleepless nights by your side...   I like you, but if I were to really take a step back, I do not exactly  love  you – and for that, I need some space from you.   Yes, you are attentive and listen to everything I say, but I do not feel truly heard . Instead, you always bring up other p

Summer at Queen’s can feel a bit... quiet. Most students head home, some services reduce hours, and campus life slows down. But if you’re staying in Kingston, whether for work, classes, or just a breather, one thing doesn’t take a summer break: the need for access to food. Food insecurity doesn’t disappear when the semester ends. And with fewer student supports running at full capacity, it can sometimes feel even harder to stay fed and financially stable in the summer. Luckil

For a lot of us, being alone doesn’t feel like a choice. It feels like an unfortunate truth thrust upon us by circumstance or environment. The fact is, being alone may not always be a choice, but feeling lonely might be something you can control.     Being physically alone and feeling lonely are not equivalent. Being alone can still mean feeling content, fulfilled, and even happy. The concept of positive solitude is often lost on a generation constantly desiring to feel conne

What does it really mean to live with a disability as a student at Queen’s? Recently, our student staff team at Health Promotion sat down to watch an episode of Shift Shorts Continuum , a new video series from The Queen's Shift Project aimed at amplifying the voices of marginalized student groups and asserting their value within the Queen's community. In this particular episode, students shared their personal perspectives by responding to a series of prompts about what it’s

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Adapted from Downshiftology Retrieved from Downshiftology For the July 29th Food and Community drop-in event, we served up a fresh and filling Mediterranean chickpea salad  and M&M Cookies  to round things out. Both recipes are easy, affordable, and perfect for meal prep or potlucks. Check them out below! Ingredients 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 large cucumber, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved ¼ cup r