With that title, you’re thinking Christmas, right? You’ve got that jingle in your head: “It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the hap-happiest season of all!” But here at Waterloo, that’s not necessarily the case. Everyone remembers those times when campus is an eerie kind of quiet. Christmas is just that. So what do I mean when I say it’s the most wonderful time of the year? Well, it’s orientation time, of course!
Before I get rolling, I’ll tell you a bit about myself. First off, I’m in my undergrad. I just finished my 2B term in Psychology and Business to be exact. Currently, I’m working with Alumni Affairs on a co-op term. I never realized how much they do and how much they offer so be sure to check it all out (shameless plug, but also very true)! I volunteered as an Orientation Leader last year (specifically for the Art’s "Boar Tribe"), and did it again this year. Why? Because it truly is the best time of the year!
It’s impossible to forget that time. We’ve all been there. Your heart pounds as you approach the university; you meet droves of new people who feel just as nervous and excited; you sing and dance; and you get a little bit crazy with other first years and leaders. And in that week, the University of Waterloo begins to feel like home.
Orientation is still just that, but to a greater degree. This year, we welcomed well over 6,300 new students to Waterloo. The campus was bustling with their fresh new faces and pumped-up leaders. All of the faculties welcomed in their new students, helping them get acquainted with campus. Everything was alive with cheers of "WATER WATER WATER, LOO LOO LOO" and all of the faculty cheers. Hard hats were earned, pink ties were won, and all first years started to really become a part of their faculty. They participated in faculty programming, the classic toga party, watched the 25th anniversary of Single and Sexy, and much more.
It truly is a special kind of time. The Warriors all show their fighting spirit and help new students to change Waterloo from a school to a home. That said, we should all remember and preserve the “OWeek” spirit all year round, be we undergrads, grads, or alumni! From my experiences, I believe in two main things that we should all keep in mind after orientation finishes.
- Talk to new people! We all know the importance of networking.
- Get rowdy – release your inner AHS’sie, wear your hard hat, don your pink tie, put on your goggles or sunglasses, bring your banana, and always act like a WARRIOR!