From hiking to working out, students are improving both their physical and emotional well-being while following COVID safety measures.
“It is good for students to see that our Faculty truly cares about our mental health and our overall Queen’s Law experience outside of the classroom,” says Sara Baxter, Law’22, Law Students’ Society (LSS) VP Finance and co-organizer of student social activities. “This year students have fewer opportunities to meet and connect with their peers outside of the classroom. It is incredibly important for them to build these less formal relationships.”
In a joint LSS/Faculty initiative, students were surveyed on the types of activities they would like to participate in for opportunities to take a break from studying and enjoy the company of their classmates. Then Baxter – along with Gillian Ready, Law’87, Director of International Law Programs, and LSS executive members Arina Polyachek and Joanna Strozak, both Law’22 –organized events with local businesses and posted sign-ups.
So far, students have bowled at Cloverleaf Lanes, walked (with some dogs) on a lakefront trail excursion, practised yoga at the downtown Studio 330 (10 in-person and others online), participated in a CrossFit class at Queen Street Fitness, and attended a Halloween Movie Night and a showing of the RBG movie about the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg at the downtown Screening Room.
“The best part of the activities is interacting with others in the Queen’s Law community in a more casual setting, and not the classroom (or Zoom!),” says Sydney Bowles, Law’23, who arrived on campus to begin her law studies in September. “I lead an active lifestyle and chose yoga and CrossFit to move my body, relieve some stress, and meet others with similar lifestyles and interests.
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve learnt that there’s something about face-to-face interaction that is so important for mental health,” she continues. “Plus, it’s super accessible and easy to convince my classmates to join when it’s only $5 to participate.”
Activities that involve a fee are subsidized by the school and/or the LSS, but students are asked to contribute a small amount for some events.
Alexa Banister-Thompson, Law’21, who misses seeing her peers at school, has taken part in the excursion and CrossFit class. “For the walk, I wanted to get outside, catch up with friends, and see the dogs,” she says. “I liked the CrossFit class because staying active is a huge part of my life and I miss going to a gym – home workouts don’t really do the trick. It’s great that the LSS and Faculty are organizing these types of events.”
More events will be planned for the winter term and organizers Sara Baxter and Gillian Ready are looking for feedback and suggestions. “We want these events to be as fun as possible, and the best way we can do that is by planning the events students want,” says Baxter.
“COVID has been hard on everyone, so it’s been great to get out and see both unfamiliar and familiar faces,” says Banister-Thompson. “Queen’s Law prides itself on the community of students, faculty, and alumni. These activities are one way to keep the community alive and help each other out when we’re feeling the COVID blues.”
“Get on it!” urges Bowles. “It is so important for your mental health to interact with others in person and these activities allow you to do so safely and affordably with like-minded people.”
Visit the Student Social Activities – Fall 2020 Photo Gallery!
By Lisa Graham