Your First Week at Queen's: Everything You Need to Know
When you first start your journey at Queen’s, it can feel like there’s so much information and you’re never going to get your head around it. Here’s some top tips to help you settle in - and don’t worry, it will feel like home in no time!
Getting Started - Your First Week:
During your first week, make sure to make the most of all the events going on around campus and go get those freebies. From Welcome Day to Freshers’ Fair , it’s great for scoping out all the university student services, and the clubs and societies you might be interested in. Don’t be afraid to speak to the people at those stalls and ask them questions – that’s what they’re there for! It’s a great place to meet likeminded people and put yourself out there.
Speaking of freebies, download Unidays and Student Beans to get the most of your student discount. I always check both apps before buying anything online – there’s usually at least 10% off!
When I first started at Queen’s, I never knew about the events going on until it was too late. Make sure to check your student emails for updates (and turn on your notifications) – the University's What's On page is great for keeping track of everything happening on campus too. Don’t worry about going alone either, everything during your first week is designed for you to meet people and make connections.
Living Smart – Shopping, Saving & Student Life Essentials:
For your weekly shop, Lidl in city centre is best for sticking to your budget. It can be a bit of a trek if you’re staying in Elms so bring a bag that’s comfortable to carry all your shopping back. The Pantry in the SU is a great place for getting your kitchen staples. They have lots of dried goods and is refillable (bring containers or you can get paper bags there). The best part? It’s completely free! Just don’t forget to bring your student card.
If you’re staying in Queen’s accommodation, take advantage of the free gym membership. Even if the gym isn’t your thing, a trip to the swimming pool in the PEC or one of the many classes that are on offer is a great way to get out of the house. You can find all the timetables and book classes on the Queen’s Sport app.
If you’re not from the North of Ireland and you plan on getting a job in Belfast, you will need an appointment to get your National Insurance Number. They can have a waiting list so book it early to be sure you can start work when you want to. You may also need a different phone number so check that out too.
If you’re looking for a part-time job that is flexible to work around your routine at Uni, check out QWork. Once you register, you can set up your account with your experience and education – it takes a bit of effort initially but it’s worth it. There’s a wide range of jobs to suit everyone with varying hours, just pick one that matches your commitments.
Don’t miss out on getting your YLink card. You can sign up for one through Translink and it will save you so much money if you’re travelling back and forth, for buses and trains within Belfast or to Dublin. You get 50% off the adult fare and it’s free to sign up.
Finding Your Feet – Campus, Classes & Doing Things Your Way:
If you’re like me and struggling to find your classes when you first start (or even three years in!), make sure to take advantage of campus directions. The wayfinding feature on Queen's Online Student App - you can search for buildings or rooms around campus. For AHSS students specifically, you can also check out campus directions for more detailed room-finding help. It’s a great resource and gives you step-by-step instructions and pictures to make sure you find your room. It’s mostly AHSS rooms, but it can be useful for everyone.
Queen's Online Student App
When you first start, it’s useful to have Canvas, QSIS, Teams, Outlook and Queen’s Online on your phone. This way, you can quickly check your assignments, look up your timetable or send a quick email without having to get your laptop or go to the library.
For taking notes in lectures, it’s about what works for you. Think about how you learn best and try out a few different methods. I brought a notebook for the first few weeks and quickly learned it wasn’t working – I now write all my notes on my tablet, and it’s been so much more effective. Whether it’s your laptop, iPad or some paper, everyone is different so don’t be afraid to do it your way.
If you have a question or if things aren’t clicking in your lectures, always go talk to your lecturer. They’re there to help you and would much rather you talk to them than sit there confused! If you don’t want to speak to them in front of your class, they’re happy to talk at the end or you can send them an email. You can also book a meeting with your personal tutor at least once in the academic year to get advice and track your progress.
Don’t forget, everyone else is in the same position as you and all the staff at Queen’s are there to help. Don’t be afraid to involve someone in your plans or invite them for coffee – you never know, they could end up being one of your best friends. The best advice I could give you is say yes! Whether it’s walking someone to class, sitting beside them in a lecture or going for lunch – the best way to meet people is by putting yourself out there (even though it can be so scary). You could find your friends for life just by starting a conversation!
