Guaranteed Good Times: Orientation at U of T Scarborough!
Current U of T Scarborough students Alyson and Ryan say going back to school can actually be fun! Alyson is a 4th year psychology and health studies student as well as an Orientation Leader, and Ryan is a 4th year philosophy student and past Residence Advisor (RA). Both of them attended orientation as first year students and continue to remain involved in their upper years!
What exactly is the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) Orientation?
Alyson: Orientation is a multi-day event that is held in September before classes start. The event helps first-year students become familiar with campus life. For the first few days, we participate in activities in smaller groups, and then on the last day all students and leaders head downtown to show the other U of T campuses what Scarborough’s new recruits are made of!
What about Residence Orientation?
Ryan: Residence Orientation is a 3-day event for residence students. It will introduce you to the campus, to residence, and to your housemates and neighbours. There are information sessions, fun and interactive events, and a focus on getting to know community members.
Tell us about some of the awesome things that happen at Orientation.
Alyson: There are dance parties, karaoke, a hypnotist show, cheers, and even a parade in downtown Toronto! My favourite part of orientation was the hypnotist show. Students volunteer to go on stage to get hypnotized and are asked to do some wild things!
Ryan: Res Orientation is the kick off of the Residence Cup competition which pits each hall against each other in various fun tasks throughout the year. There are magic shows, dances, and lots of activities to help everyone get to know other people. My favourite part of Res Orientation was the mascot contest. We were tasked with dressing up a person in the hall to be our mascot. The results were rather hilarious!
Why is Orientation important?
Alyson: Orientation makes you feel like you are a part of something. I know coming from high school, you may feel lost and afraid, but Orientation helps you overcome that fear of not knowing anyone. It makes the transition that much easier because you feel comfortable in this new environment.
Ryan: Res orientation can help make your new environment more familiar by getting to know the physical space, as well as the people around you. I got to know people who ended up being some of my closest friends in university!
