Starting university can feel like being handed a full pizza and being told to eat it all at once.
Too much. Too fast. Slightly overwhelming.
As an international student, I still remember my first time arriving in Canada and my first days at York. I was excited but also nervous. Looking back, what I needed most was not more information, but an experience to immerse myself in university life.
That is exactly what Winter Orientation is designed to do. Rather than expecting students and families to know everything, it breaks the experience into digestible slices. Whether you are a new student joining York in January or a family member supporting from the sidelines, this is your starting point. Let’s break down this huge pizza together!
When is Winter Orientation?
Winter Orientation takes place across late December and early January, with a mix of virtual and in-person sessions. Students and families are not expected to attend every event. The goal is to choose the slices that you need the most.
The full Winter Orientation schedule is available online.
Slice one: Belonging, before anything else
This is the most important slice.
Orientation helps students feel like they belong on campus. Social events such as campus tours, department tours and Winter Orientation Day aim to create low-pressure spaces to meet people in a new environment.
Everyone attending is new in some way. That shared feeling makes it easier to connect.
Pro tip: You do not need to find your entire friend group during orientation. One familiar face can already make campus feel more welcoming. Even as a third-year and a Work/Study student, I still attend orientation events each year without getting bored (for the food as well!).
Slice two: Understanding how university works
There are many aspects to understanding how university works, beyond what you see online or hear from others. From academics and support services, it can take time to see how everything connects.
That is why academic orientation is often the first place I recommend starting.
It gives you a clearer picture of how courses are structured and what is expected of you as a student. You learn how to read a syllabus, get ready for classes and where to go for assistance.
Academic orientation also introduces you to the wider support system on campus. This includes academic advising, libraries and other resources that are there for you throughout the year.
Slice three: Finding your community
Students arrive at York with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
And we've got you!
Winter Orientation includes spaces for communities such as international students, first-generation students, Indigenous students, 2SLGBTQIA+ students and more.
There is also Residence Orientation for those living on campus and a virtual Parents and Family Orientation for those supporting students behind the scenes.
You do not need to finish the whole pizza on your first day at York.
University life is never about having everything figured out. It is about learning where to find answers, knowing when to ask for help and giving yourself time to grow into the experience.
Winter Orientation is part of your York journey. Welcome to the table, Lions!