Survive & Thrive: Exam Season at Queen’s

Written by Communications on April 15, 2026. Posted in Blog Post.

It’s that time of year… exam season is here! Whether you’re a colour-coded planner or a last-minute crammer, you’re going to need snacks, a good spot to lock in, and ways to keep your sanity intact. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up everything you need to make this exam season a little more manageable. You’ve got this Gaels!

Study Snacks

Finding the perfect study snack is something we don’t think about much, but it can make a huge difference when it comes to staying focused and pushing through tough study sessions.

Here are some snacks that will help you power through finals while keeping you satisfied!

Veggies with hummus: A classic snack that will hit when you’re craving something savoury. It’s high in protein, offers a satisfying crunch, and is convenient to take to Stauffer for those late night study sessions. For meal plan holders, these are available as a Fresh To GO TAM, or as a meal swipe at Wally’s.

Fresh or dried fruit: If you’re craving something sweet, try munching on some fresh or dried fruit. It’ll fulfill your sweet tooth without causing a sugar crash that will give you brain fog the night before your final. Try loading up on berries, which are high in antioxidants and are easy to eat as you work.

Dark chocolate with nuts: Not only is this a top tier chocolate combos, it’s the perfect study snack. Dark chocolate helps satisfy those cravings without killing your concentration — try to choose chocolate with at least 70% cocoa [1]. Along with this, nuts help keep you full and satisfied to power your studying.

Study Spots Around Campus

If your room isn’t cutting it anymore, it might be time for a change of scenery. Switching up your study spot can make a huge difference in how productive you feel!

Here are a few go-to spots around campus or in the Kingston area:

Stauffer Library: Busy but reliable, with lots of seating options and study rooms! Make sure to get there early, because it fills up fast.
Douglas Library: A quieter library option on campus, perfect for studying!

Bracken Health Sciences Library: Perfect if you need a quiet, focused space, with lots of individual cubicles.

Common Ground Coffeehouse: A more social study spot with amazing coffee and food, perfect if you like working with some background noise.

Lederman Law Library: A focused environment, where being surrounded by people who are focused makes it easier to stay on track. Their long tables give you plenty of space to work!

CRAVE Coffee House: A cozy off-campus café with comfy seating and good food, worth the trip if you want to study somewhere nice and with a little background noise.

Balzac’s: Another aesthetic off-campus café, with a calm atmosphere.

Juniper Café: A beautiful relaxed spot by the water, great when you want to study somewhere a little quieter and scenic.

De-Stress Activities

After studying for six hours straight, it’s time to take a break and relax your brain. Taking breaks isn’t slacking, but rather a recharge for your body. So step away from the desk! Go on a 20-minute walk along the pier, around campus, or downtown. Trust us, it will help to clear your head. If the weather has suddenly turned cold, grab a friend for a chat at a cafe or common room. Sometimes venting about your exam schedule will do the trick.

Even the little things, such as doodling, making Spotify playlists, hitting a quick workout in the ARC, or grabbing yourself a sweet treat, could help to take your mind off exams for a well-deserved break.

For any questions, concerns, or media inquiries, please contact the Communications Office, at . We’re here to help.