THUNDER BAY - A downpour on Tuesday moved the festivities indoors at Confederation College.
Still, the excitement for a new year bubbled over on orientation day, as more than 2,000 new students will start their first day of school.
Kathleen Lynch, president of Confederation College, says it’s the highest amount of students they’ve brought in for a single year, and the college expects to set an enrollment record for this school year.
“This year we’re going to hit about 4,000 students,” Lynch said.
The college’s cafeteria filled with newcomers on Tuesday who were provided with a free lunch, and an assortment of activities throughout the day.
“They just want to feel comfortable,” said Lynch on why orientation is a big day in the life of a student. “Orientation day is an important day for them to come here, meet people, and know where they're going tomorrow for the first day of classes.”
Lynch said the school will also hit a record for international student enrollment, expecting the tally to land between 1,300 and 1,400 students.
SUCCI president Vignesh Viswanathan said having an international student as president helps make international students feel more welcome.
“We're unique in our population... with our college having one-third Indigenous, one-third domestic non-Indigenous, and one-third international, it's important for me as the student association president to represent everyone across the board.”
Nicolas Catalan, a first-year civil engineering student, said he had made friends during the day, and was already looking ahead to the academic year.
“We need to know our group members so we can help each other for our assignments. We need to help each other study and make those study groups and we'll just go on forward and you'll be able to actually succeed.”
Conner Byerley, who grew up in Thunder Bay, said the freshman orientation was a nice change of pace.
“It’s a lot different from high school. You see people from all different age groups, and different countries,” he said. “I’ve seen a few people I didn't expect to see, I don’t really feel like I’m alone.”
Emma Cole, a second-year student, enjoyed her freshman orientation so much she came back to being an orientation leader.
“It was stressful at first. I was a little intimidated because I was straight out of school from Fort Frances. Throughout the year, it was easier once it went on.”
She said she’s trying to make the freshman experience as smooth as possible for new students.
“I'm really trying to make them become my friends, make them trust me, feel comfortable and come and talk to me, asking me any questions. I feel that it's really important for them to be comfortable to start classes.”
