Queen’s Clubs And Where to Find Them
Written By: Amal Kareem
After the initial rush of September, it can sometimes feel like your chance to get involved with a club has passed. You might wonder if you’ve missed your opportunity or if you’ve fallen behind.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Major events like the Tricolour Open House, Queen’s in the Park, and Sidewalk Sale can be exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming.
Maybe the crowds were too big, maybe your schedule was too busy, maybe you just weren’t ready to put yourself out there
Whatever the reason, there’s no need to worry because September is not the deadline to find your fav clubs! Opportunities to get involved continue throughout the school year, and reaching out to a club is often easier than you might think.
In This Article
Looking for something specific? Jump to a section below:
Step 1: Figuring out what you’re looking for
Step 2: Finding a Club that Interests you
Step 3: Put yourself out there
The Myth
The idea that you have to find your community at the beginning of the school year is unrealistic.
Finding your place in university is a continuous process, there are opportunities to meet new people and get involved throughout the year.
Many clubs host drop-in events and activities all year long, often without requiring you to become a member; and when January rolls around, another wave of open houses and club events welcome both new and returning students for the winter semester, so opportunities to get involved are always ongoing!
The truth is that finding your place at Queen’s happens at your own pace, and knowing where to look and how to take that first step can make all the difference.
Step 1: Figuring out what you’re looking for
So where do we start? To find your club, ask yourself what you are looking for.
Are you looking to meet new people? Build professional skills? Connect with your culture or faith? Stay active? Support a cause? Or maybe you just want to try something completely new.
With over 300 ratified clubs supported by the AMS, there is a space for every interest, activity level, and goal.
What kinds of clubs are there?
Clubs span a wide range of interests including:
- Academic
- Arts
- Business
- Common Interest & Social
- Discussion & Debate
- Environment
- Government & Politics
- Health & Wellness
- Media & Publications
- Music & Theatre
- Public Service
- Religious & Cultural Identity
- Science & Engineering
- Social Issues & Advocacy
- Sports
Step 2: Finding a Club that Interests you
Now that you have an idea of what you’re looking for, where do you actually find it?
There are plenty of resources available to help you explore clubs and find one that fits your interests.
Start with the AMS Clubs Directory
The AMS Clubs Directory is a good starting point for exploring ratified clubs at Queen’s. Rather than scrolling through every club alphabetically, use the available filters to find a club tailored toyour interests! Each club profile includes a description about what the group does, along with social media, website, and contact information.
If a club catches your eye, you can look at their socials and check out their most recent activities, announcements, and upcoming opportunities to get involved.
Check @quclubs
The @quclubs Instagram is AMS’s central hub for everything club-related. It shares information about club events, hiring and volunteer opportunities, grants and funding, ratification resources, workshops, and other important announcements for students.
Look for in person opportunities
If you prefer meeting people in person, you can explore the Queen’s Events Calendar to find club fairs, faculty-specific events, workshops and speaker events
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If you aren’t sure where a specific niche falls or cannot find a particular club, you can also consider starting your own club! The AMS Clubs website has information on club ratification and the steps you’ll need to take to get started.
Still not sure where to go? You can always reach out to the AMS for support. We can help answer your questions, point you toward existing clubs, or guide you through the process of starting your own.
Step 3: Put yourself out there
Finding a club you like is one thing. Actually reaching out can sometimes feel like the harder part.
But it doesn’t have to be; here is what you can do to get involved!
Follow their socials:
This is an easy way to stay updated on the club’s latest events, meetups, hiring, and more.
Send a quick message or email
Reaching out directly to the club is completely normal. Just send a short message asking if the club is accepting new members or if there is an upcoming event you can attend.
Show up
If the club is hosting an open meeting, social, or workshop, all you have to do is show up!
You haven’t missed your chance
In the end, getting involved is about more than adding another activity to your schedule. Clubs can give you a break from academics, introduce you to new people, help you explore your interests, and create opportunities to get the most out of your university experience.
Finding community is an ongoing process, you do not need to have everything figured out in September, and you do not need to join five clubs at once.
Start small and take that first step today.
Explore your interests. Open the Clubs Directory. Find a club that catches your attention. Follow them, send a message, and attend an event.
You got this!