Welcome to Your Opportunity of a Lifetime

On behalf of the Orientation Team of 2008, it is a privilege and honour to welcome you to Wilfrid Laurier University! The Orientation Team is thrilled to jump-start the beginning of your university experience and invite you to an exciting, informative and entertaining Orientation Week. Each of us have been in your shoes before and know the mixture of excitement, anxiety and anticipation you may be feeling as you get ready to begin your first year of university. With this understanding, we have put our heart and soul into creating a week that will introduce you to all aspects of campus life at Laurier! This booklet is designed to give you all the information you will need about your first week at Laurier. It also includes information about Orientation Week registration, details about what to bring and where to go when you arrive on ‘move-in-day,’ as well as a summary of the activities to expect during the week.

On move-in-day, you will be greeted by our friendly and enthusiastic Volunteers! These upper-year student Volunteers are trained to help ease the transition from home to university life. They will be there to help guide you through this extraordinary week and remind you of the endless resources and support available to you here at Laurier.  With over 600 enthusiastic student Volunteers and the involvement of our faculty and staff, this week-long experience is bound to be one you will never forget!

Orientation Week at Wilfrid Laurier is unlike any other in Canada!  Rather than simply dividing students by residence or faculty, we at Laurier feel it is important for students to intermingle with as many of their peers as possible.  The entire incoming first year class is divided into four colour teams; Red, Gold, Green and Blue. Each colour team embodies a character and mentality, which fits within the week’s overall theme; Your Time Is Now; Dream It. Live It. Own It.

We realize and appreciate that each incoming First Year Student has his/her own interests, talents and goals.  When you arrive on September 1st, we encourage you to find your own unique path here at Laurier! This is a week filled with events, activities and academic seminars to prepare you for your university career. Orientation Week is a time full of energy and discovery, but above all, it is an opportunity.  It is your opportunity to meet others, push yourself to be open to new activities and to create irreplaceable memories. We can’t wait to see you in September and officially welcome you to Laurier! Your time IS now. Own It!