Image Description: The image shows a large group of students taking part in a yoga class on the university campus lawn. They are arranged in rows on colourful exercise mats, all standing with their arms extended straight up toward the sky. The students wear casual athletic clothing suitable for cooler weather, and various personal items like bags, shoes, and water bottles are scattered near the mats.
Graduate school taught me early on that managing coursework, research, and personal life isn’t just about time management. It’s really about energy management. Most of my days were spent reading, writing, and staring at a screen. During my first winter semester, I realized how easily my routine slipped into a cycle of stress, fatigue, and inactivity. That’s when it hit me that staying active wasn’t optional anymore. It was essential.
Joining the turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. It became one of my most effective strategies for managing my workload and staying active, especially during the long winter months. Having scheduled fitness classes-built structure into my week and gave me something to look forward to beyond academic deadlines. Each session felt like a reset. It helped me step away from my work, clear my head, and return with better focus. The classes themselves were both energizing and grounding. Whether it was a strength training session, yoga session or a cardio workout, each one challenged me physically while giving my mind a break from academic pressure. I noticed I could think more clearly, focus longer, and handle complex tasks more efficiently after each workout.
What surprised me most was the sense of community. Seeing familiar faces in class reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Even without long conversations, that shared experience created a quiet sense of connection. Working out with others made graduate life feel a little less isolating. What started as a way to get through one tough semester slowly became a long-term habit. The structure of the group fitness program made it easier to stay consistent. I didn’t have to plan every workout or rely on motivation alone. I just needed to show up. Over time, I stopped seeing exercise as something that competed with my academic work. Instead, it became something that supported it. The discipline, balance, and resilience I built through regular workouts began showing up in other parts of my life. Fitness turned into more than just physical activity, it became a source of stability, productivity, and overall well-being.
If you’re thinking about joining, the process is simple. During the Fall and Winter semesters, you can purchase a Group Fitness pass for a single term or the full year, which gives you access to all classes.
If you prefer to pay as you go, you can register for individual drop-in sessions for $5 each. Each semester begins with a Free Trial Week, where all classes are open to everyone. If you’re new to fitness, don’t worry. Classes are open to all skill levels, and experienced instructors are always ready to provide modifications. You can explore the full to find something that matches your interests and schedule, or reach out directly at qfitness@queensu.ca for recommendations.
Graduate school will always be demanding, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of health. For me, working out became more than a task. It became a habit that helped me stay grounded, connected, and capable of thriving both in and outside the lab.