With the 2018-2019 academic year soon underway, Durham College (DC) is busy getting ready to welcome more than 7,100 first-year students to campus during its annual Orientation, which runs from September 4 to Thursday, September 13.

Designed to help first-year students acclimatize to college life, meet staff and faculty, explore student services and enjoy the college’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses, Orientation also provides students with an opportunity to learn more about program expectations and student clubs, all while developing new friendships.

“Orientation sets new students up for success by helping them establish a community of support on campus,” says Krista Licsi, student orientation and transitions co-ordinator, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions. “They can step out of their comfort zone to meet other first-year students, learn about their program and discover opportunities to get involved in campus activities, all of which will help them should they encounter any barriers while completing their program here at DC.”

This year’s Orientation includes over 25 activities to help introduce students to college life, including the First-year Fun Fair on September 4, followed by the men’s and women’s soccer teams in the 8^th annual Campus Cup later in the day, pitting the DC Lords against the UOIT Ridgebacks.

New this year are a few activities, like the LGBTQ2+ Paint Night and Social on Wednesday, September 5, designed to help members of the campus LGBTQ2+ community make connections on campus; and the Black Student Success Network social event on Wednesday, September 5, providing students with opportunities for mentorship, wellness and social engagement.

For a full list of Orientation activities and more details please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/orientation.