THUNDER BAY — Hundreds of students were moving into residence at Lakehead University as part of orientation for the new school year on Thursday.
The university said more students would be welcomed throughout the week, putting on-campus residency at max capacity this fall.
Nerves and all, Arielle Hariprasadrel said she is “very excited to meet new people and learn about the new space.”
Starting her schooling off in outdoor recreation, the vast outdoors of Thunder Bay is what attracted her to the city, Hariprasadrel said.
“It's very outdoorsy, there's lots of mountains and stuff nearby, and it's just a small little community.”
Hariprasadrel and her parents drove over 14 hours from Ajax, Ont., to get to the Northwestern post-secondary institution.
“It's a great program for her that she picked, and I know she's ready to do it, but we'll miss her for sure,” said Samuel Hariprasadrel, Arielle’s father.
One of the many third-year students coming back to Bartley residence and the university is Alex Wry.
“I'm really excited to be back,” she said. “It's always nice to be able to sort of go back to your almost temporary home for a little bit and be able to move in and get comfortable.”
Wry said moving into Bartley was the best part of her first year.
“Honestly, you make really good friends,” she said. “It is like a huge family, especially when you're moving into Bartley for the first time.”
But for Wry, moving into the townhouses was the most exciting part of her third year.
“Townhouses, I find that you get more independence and you're still part of the big family,” she said. “You can go to restaurants and you can do all the fun activities, but you get to sort of make your own food and have your own space, and I also really like that.”
The best piece of advice Wry could offer new students was to attend events, make friends, and enjoy their time.
“It's incredibly daunting, but everyone here is just trying to make friends,” she said. “Be open to new experiences and just meeting new people because you never know, those people could be your lifelong friends forever.”
The welcoming event was held at LU's Bartley residency and also featured campus events and activities.
“It’s my favourite day of the year, it's move-in day,” said Shannon Foster, the director of resident services. “We have students coming from all over the world moving into residence and, basically, creating their new home away from home for the next eight months.”
Many of the students attending the local university are from around the world and every province, Foster said.
“I met someone who's from Nigeria,” Foster said. “Literally 80 countries and pretty much every province.”
After getting the new students settled into their dorms, Foster said the university plans on letting them relax for the night.
“As far as tonight goes, it's all about allowing them to mix and meet with the residents that they're going to be living with, whether it be in a house of 30 or whether it be in a townhouse of 4, it's always really exciting,” he said.
Following move-in days, the university residents can expect a full week, Foster said.
“From there it's just to join the orientation activities that Lakehead University Student Union (put on) and as well as (the events) our Res Life team has put together.”
With 400 students checking into residence Thursday morning, Foster said an additional 400 were expected that evening, with stragglers following in suit the coming week.
During this transitional period of the young adults’ lives, Foster said it's important for them to step out of their comfort zones.
“I always encourage students to challenge themselves, get involved in one extracurricular activity outside of the classroom, and that will lead them to success,” he said.
