First-Year Foundation

SOAR: Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources

July 7-31, 2025

Summer Orientation for First-Year Students

Part of First-Year Foundation, SOAR (Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources) is a free online summer orientation program for incoming first-year students and their parents and supporters, run by the Student Experience Office. SOAR aims to help prepare students for new academic expectations, address questions or concerns about university life, and introduce resources and support services for all incoming students. 

During the month of July, you will have the opportunity to participate in both live virtual events and content you can explore at your own pace. By the end of SOAR, you will have the knowledge and tools to successful transition to Queen's in the fall! 

Why participate in SOAR?

Connect and engage with your peers

Begin making connections with other incoming students from your faculty, residence, and more

Learn about new academic expectations

Hear from faculty and staff about the steps you can take to start your academic year off strong

Discover campus supports

Learn about the academic and non-academic resources that will help you succeed at Queen's

Get answers to all of your questions

Connect with upper year student leaders to get advice and tips on being a university student 

For Students

SOAR will run online from July 7-31, 2025. Students, make sure you check your Queen's email in June for all of the information about what SOAR will bring to you in July. 

Our SOAR program is jam-packed with opportunities to learn about university life, academic expectations, and campus resources, including:

  • An online social community hub - exclusively for first-year students - where you will access all SOAR programming
  • Live webinars to learn about critical information on course selection, living on and off campus, university life, and more
  • Virtual socials to meet and have fun with your peers
  • Opportunities to connect with upper-year student leaders to get advice, tips, and answers to your questions
  • Faculty sessions to meet your program's staff and faculty, and learn about your new academic expectations
  • Contests, prizes, and more!

For Parents, Families, and Supporters

We understand the important role you've played as a parent or supporter in preparing your student to attend university, and we want to work with you to continue to support them on this new adventure.

You can find specific parent and supporter resources from Student Affairs as well as webinars and sessions designed specifically for you in the calendar below. 

Check back in June for our full calendar of SOAR 2025 events!

 

View our past webinars here

Interested in exploring campus in-person?

In-Person Campus Tours

Join us in Kingston for an in-person tour and picture yourself as a Queen's student.

Learn more

³ÉÈË´óƬ Summer Accommodations

Experience staying overnight in one of Queen's residence rooms. 

Learn more

³ÉÈË´óƬ U Bound Events

Come visit campus during one of our in-person events.

Learn more