Experience Waterloo welcomes first-year students

Andy Thibodeau (centre) is a keynote speaker during this year's Orientation events.

Orientation is the hallmark of a first-year student’s university experience.

Part of Orientation at the University of Waterloo is a one-day program called Experience Waterloo that is designed to ease students into the realities of university life after Orientation. The Student Success Office (SSO) has created an engaging program packed with high-energy, group-oriented events for Waterloo’s undergraduate students.

Two keynote speakers bookend the event on Friday, September 6:  Andy Thibodeau, a dynamic, youth-oriented public speaker and James Cunningham , a popular Canadian comedian who sheds humour on important issues.

Thibodeau kicks off the day with his motivating talk, Get Your Hand Up! which encourages students to make the most of their university experience. He uses stories from his own life to demonstrate the importance of getting involved in your university community.

Tips for managing money   

Funny Money, hosted by Cunningham, turns the often dull conversations about managing your finances into amusing anecdotes. Cunningham often hands out money to illustrate the points of being financially savvy.

“Both of these speakers were a huge hit with students last year,” says Jonathan Collaton, the SSO’s new student transition assistant. “They are amazing at engaging our students and inspiring them to think differently about important issues.”

Between speakers, students can select sessions that interest them. Topics include entrepreneurship, finding a job, global education opportunities, tips for a successful university career and getting involved on campus.  “We carefully select the session topics to represent many of the opportunities and decisions that students will face during their first year,” says Cassie Gilpin, orientation coordinator.

This event marks the second Orientation where the Student Success Office has offered a full-day program focused on setting students up for success as they begin their university careers. The day begins at 10:30 am on the Village 1 Green and runs throughout the day at locations across campus.