What makes the magic of Orientation? For Garrett Genereux, the answer is simple: the people.
“Pretty much everyone in my life today has come from that first week,” says the fourth-year Cinema and Media Arts student. Friends, roommates and creative connections; many started at his first Winters College Frosh.
Garrett found something in Frosh that kept bringing him back each year with a new role and responsibility. Now, as an Orientation Chair (O-Chair), he’s the one helping make the magic happen.
Orientation week, also called Frosh or O-week, takes place at the start of the Fall and Winter terms. It gives new students the chance to connect with other students at events, get familiar with their academic programs and make long-lasting memories.
If you’re new to York, curious about Orientation or wondering whether attending is worth it, this one’s for you!
Where the magic started
One week can feel short until you realize how many years of friendship can come out of it.
That’s what stayed with Garrett most from his first Orientation week. Between the events and Winters College traditions were conversations with people who, at the time, were complete strangers. “You meet a lot of amazing people and make very strong connections right away,” he says.
One of them was Andy. During an event in the Winters Quad, Andy appeared in his residence window and started pretending to DJ for the crowd below. Everyone played along. Later, he came downstairs, introduced himself to Garrett and asked to exchange contact information.
Just like that, a random moment at Frosh became the start of a friendship. Four years later, they’re roommates.
And the story doesn’t stop with Andy. Garrett met all of his current roommates at Frosh, and many of his friendships at York lead back, somehow, to that first week.
It’s also what kept bringing him back each year.
From finding community to creating it
“My first Orientation week gave me so much in experience and in relationships that I felt like I wanted to give back,” Garrett says.
And he did. Garrett returned in his second year on the Winters Frosh media team, then became one of its leads the following year. Now, as one of two O-Chairs, he’s creating the experience he once showed up to enjoy.
Turns out, the magic starts months before Orientation does.
Planning began in late April. Since then, Garrett and his co-chair have been preparing events, hiring their team and working through logistics.
But after all that planning, what matters to Garrett is pretty simple: “Ultimately, you want the week to be meaningful to this generation of students,” he says.
That’s the beauty of coming full circle. Garrett still remembers what his first Frosh gave him. Now, he gets to pass it on.
Making the most of your Frosh
After four years of Frosh, Garrett’s advice for first-years comes down to three words: “Talk to people.”
Go to the events that excite you. Find people you vibe with. Say yes to the random conversations in between. You don’t have to do everything or meet your future best friend to make the week count."
Then again, you never know. Garrett met his future roommates along the way.
For him, one event worth showing up for is the Winters’ drag lip sync battle, his favourite Frosh tradition. Drag performers take the stage before inviting first-years to join in with lip sync battles of their own. Garrett has watched students light up at the experience, including one first-year who sat by the stage completely mesmerized.
And perhaps that’s where the magic comes back in.
Months of planning can set the stage, but the people make Frosh what it is. So, show up, say hi and let the week surprise you.
Ready to see where your Frosh week takes you? Find your Orientation here!