Transitioning to post-secondary can come with many challenges and considerations. Here at Smith, Engineering, we understand how overwhelming this can be. Whether you're in first year, an upper year transfer, or just haven't quite found your place yet here at Smith Engineering, we have many resources available to support your wellness and academic success throughout this transition to allow you to thrive and participate authentically in your academics and beyond.
On this page:
Meet with one of our staff below who can help you understand what you need and guide you to resources!
Have a problem and don't know where to turn? Our Wellness Advisor can help.
Want to chat about difficulties challenges with transition? Book in with our Transition Advisor .
Academics in post-secondary can feel very different from high school! Many students who are accepted into engineering are high achieving students and have been very successful in school so far, but as a first year engineering student, your job is to be a novice, and this means that there is going to be some failure. Good novices fail fast and early, pay attention to their mistakes, and use them to gather information and learn how to do better in the future!
Here in Smith and at Queen's we have lots of resources to support you as you find your groove in this new academic landscape.
Student Academic Success Services (SASS) Academic Skills Appointments, Workshops, and Resources
Students can book one-on-one appointments with Learning Strategists, Writing Coach or upper year volunteers to work on a variety of academic skills including time management, study skills, note-taking, academic writing and more. Use the SASS Online Appointment Booking webpage to book an appointment.
SASS also offers events such as study and writing groups and academic skills and exam prep workshops! See SASS' Events Calendar for upcoming events.
Short on time, check out SASS also offers online guides and tutorials that can be accessed anytime on your schedule! Topics include essential university skills, academic stress and test anxiety, time management, motivation and focus, writing skills, and specific resources for various disciplines (eg. writing lab reports).
Course Content Support - Help Desks
Struggling with course content? There are a number of resources available to help you! First, check your Course Syllabus and OnQ for TA and Instructor office hours where you can attend and ask questions and get clarification about the course material. Still need more help, attend these free Help Desks!
Help Desks:
(check webpages for specific dates and times)
Course Content Supports - Tutoring:
Struggling with course content? There are a number of resources available to help you! First, check your Course Syllabus and OnQ for TA and Instructor office hours where you can attend and ask questions and get clarification about the course material. Still need more 1-on-1 support, check out tutoring options below!
Academic Absences (Requests for Academic Consideration)
Sometimes life happens and it impacts your academics, and we understand that! When there are circumstances that you have no control over, such as short-term health condition, illness, injury, or mental illness episode, the loss of a loved one, traumatic personal experiences, impacts of social injustice, political unrest or natural disasters, these are considered extenuating circumstances.
When extenuating circumstances impact a student's academics they can submit a Request for Academic Consideration (RAC). This process provides your instructor with verification that you had a valid reason for missing a class deliverable, and then your professor will work with you to offer alternatives. You can find out more and apply for Academic Consideration on the Academic Consideration (Absences) webpage.
First Year Advisors
The Smith Engineering First-Year Advising team is here to support you as you transition into university life. First year advisors can meet with you on a variety of topics including:
Our team meets with students either through Zoom or in person—whichever works best for you. Use our Appointment Booking webpage to book an appointment with an advisor now!
Whether you had accommodations in high school, or you're finding that you're struggling academically and wondering if there may be underlying mental health, learning style, or neurodivergence impacts, we are here to help you get the support you need.
Registering with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS): Start here if you already have a diagnosis or had accommodations in place in high school.
Don't already have a diagnosis? Review our diagnosis supports below or book a meeting with the Academic Accommodation and Consideration Advisor!
Diagnosis Supports for Mental Health Concerns
Students can access mental health supports as well as diagnosis for mental health concerns through our on-campus health team at Student Wellness Services (SWS). Follow the steps below to get support:
Students can also often access mental health diagnosis through their family physicians, psychologists or psychiatrists. PsychologyToday has a large number of counsellors, psychologists and other mental health professionals that you can sort by location.
Diagnosis Supports for Neurodivergence
Students who believe there may be underlying neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism/ASD) impacting their academics can access diagnosis through a number of options.
The Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC), located right here on Queen's Campus, provides sliding scale cost assessments for ADHD, Autism, and Learning Disabililites to students who are struggling academically. Contact RARC by phone at 613-533-6311 or by email at rarc@queensu.ca.
Family Physicians & Psychologists: students can often access ADHD and/or Autism diagnosis through their family doctors or at cost through private psychologists. PsychologyToday has a large number of psychologists that you can sort by location.
Third Party Assessments: students can access assessments for ADHD and Autism through a variety of third parties at cost such as the Adult ADHD Centre, ADHD Centre for Women, Adult Autism Centre, and MyLearningCoach.
Book an appointment with Indigo Bunting for more information on assessment options.
Transition Supports and Resources
Transitioning from high school to post-secondary can be a big change, and when you have a learning difference, neurodivergence, mental health needs, or a disability, this transition can be even trickier!
Check out the following resources from the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC):
QSuccess & Engineering Peer Coaches
The QSuccess and the Engineering Peer Coach programs are innovative mentorship programs that aim to remove barriers and contribute to a successful transition through the first year of university through ongoing engagement and one-on-one mentoring.
QSuccess programming is open to all first-year Queen's students and can help you with:
Registration for the QSuccess program will be available in July 2026 on the QSuccess webpage.
Students who achieve a GPA of 1.6 or lower (below a C- grade average) after their first semester will be invited to connect with a Engineering Peer Mentor.
AMS Peer Support Centre
The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is a student-run listening and resource referral service that provide drop-in and appointment-based one-on-one peer support. PSC volunteers aid students with a wide range of personal, mental, academic, social or emotional concerns, and foster a safe space for students to talk about whatever is on their mind.
Open during the academic year (September - May), find the Peer Support Centre in JDUC room 430C from 10am-8pm, 7 days a week for drop in (in person only) and booked in person and virtual appointments.
The PSC also offers specific programming for affinity groups from September through May:
Health Promotion Resources through Student Wellness Services (SWS)
The Peer Health educators run many student-led events, such as healthy cooking sessions, mason jar meals, therapy dogs on campus and much more! See the Health Promotion Student-Led Events webpage for details!
Need more in-depth support? Access free one-on-one peer and/or professional wellness coaching appointments. These 30 minute appointments can help you:
Find out more on the Wellness Coaching webpage and use their online booking calendar to book an appointment!
Engineering Society - EngSoc
EngSoc is your engineering society, run by and for current students. EngSoc hosts a number of clubs, design teams, conferences and competitions for students. Check out upcoming events on the EngSoc Calendar.
EngSoc hosts 12 unique topic based clubs as well as discipline clubs, find a topic based club or discipline club that interests you on their webpages!
EngSoc also hosts a variety of Design Teams, advance your expertise in a specific engineering application, and meet cool people along the way!
Check out upcoming conferences and competitions to grow your professional networks and connect with like-minded individuals at Queen's and more broadly!
Fitness Classes, Intramurals, Clubs and Sports
The Queen's Athletic Centre (ARC) hosts a variety of classes, clubs, sports, and intramurals where you can connect with other students and stay active!
ARC Intramurals - Queen's hosts one of the largest post secondary intramural programs in Ontario! With several different sports, three categories (Open, Mixed, and Women’s) and three levels of play (Competitive, Intermediate & Recreational) offered, there is something for everyone at every skill level!
ARC RecreationalClubs - with clubs from dance to martial arts, to climbing and archery, there is a club for everyone!
Group Fitness Classes - whether you want a class to start your day, between your courses, or in the evening, the ARC has a variety of fitness classes at various times. Check out the Fitness Class Descriptions and Fitness Class Schedule on their webpage.
Alma Mater Society (AMS) Clubs
The Alma Mater Society (AMS) represents all full-time undergraduate students across Queen's, supporting a diverse range of clubs, services and initiatives so you can find communities related to interest, values, identity and much more. Check out the AMS' Club Directory, or follow @amsclubs on Instagram for the latest club updates!
AMS offers a wide variety of student-led services including a food bank, on campus food vendors (such as Queen's Pub and Common Ground Coffee Shop), a student run newspaper the Queen's Journal, Walkhome services and much more!
Learn more about AMS Social Issues Commission's supported Initiatives, designed and led by and for Queen's equity-deserving students. Or check out programs run by the AMS Sustainability Commission.
Learn more about how to get involved through volunteering or paid positions on the AMS Get Involved webpage.
EngWell
EngWell programming supports student wellbeing in Smith Engineering.
Connect with an Engineering Mental Health Steward,
Access online resources such as Headspace,
Attend one of EngWell's events like a study day. Watch EngWell's Instagram to make sure you don't miss any cool events!
meet with one of our Embedded Counselors, or access supports through Student Wellness Services (SWS).
Are you looking for short-term counselling to work on personal issues? Book in with our Embedded Counsellor.
Do you identify as a Person of Colour and are looking for culturally sensitive support? Book in with our BIPoC Counsellor.
Access Mental Health Appointments and Same-Day Mental Health Therapy Clinic through Student Wellness Services (SWS)
All Smith Engineering students have access to Headspace, the most science-based meditation app. Set up your account now!