About QueensEvents.ca / The QueensEvents Project
I always heard about events after they happened...
In my fourth year, I had no idea what was happening at Queen's.
It was winter in Kingston (March) and I was having a hard time leaving the house and making it to my classes. I was experiencing depression for the first time and struggling to keep my head above water.
A lot of people that I used to know stopped inviting me to events on Facebook, and I only ever heard about events after they were over.
I'm happiest when I'm around people
In first and second year, I enjoyed going to speaker series and film screenings that I heard about through my department (Psychology).
Turns out, if you know where to look, there are tons of events going on every week on-campus and in Kingston -- there's just no central calendar that lists Queen's and Kingston events.
Once I started looking, I found out about: an astronaut giving a public lecture, my favourite band (Hey Ocean!) performing a block away from my house, a cross-campus Capture the Flag game, a round-table discussion with local politicians, a leadership camp, an open-call audition, a fashion show… and many more.
What I've learned
My mental health improved once I started finding out about events. Your time at Queen's will be over before you know it, so there's no time like the present to try something new.
Sign-up for an event, and go to it! Taking the first step to register for an event is so important.
Every time I choose to go to an event, instead of staying home, I have an epic time! Whether it's the conversations I've had, the topics I learned about, the connections I've made, or the experience itself - it is always so much better than I expect it to be. That's great motivation to leave the house!
Making Kingston feel like home
Once you see the side of Kingston that I see, I know that you'll love it too!
Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @queensevents or by email to queensevents@live.ca anytime. During the pandemic, I also started a second website that lists events all over Kingston, including events for kids & families. You can find it at www.Kingston.today
This project has changed my experience in Kingston for the better and it's also the main reason I decided to stay in the city upon graduation. I hope my story inspires you to try something new and follow your passions.
Yours in events,
Sarah Witiuk,
Founder/Executive Director of QueensEvents.ca