Orientations help post-secondary students get familiar with campus life

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 4, 2024.

The halls of Lethbridge Polytechnic and the University of Lethbridge were bustling with excited new students as both institutions held new student orientations on Tuesday.
These orientations gave students the opportunity to tour campus, speak with instructors and professors and make new friends before school gets underway on Tuesday.
Natasha Renners, coordinator of orientation, transition and retention for the University of Lethbridge, says new student orientation is something they look forward to all summer especially the fresh energy new students bring to campus.
“It’s such a great day getting to welcome our new students onto campus. We look forward to this all summer and I’m so happy to see so many smiling faces here back on our university campus again,” said Renners.
Many returning students give up their last day of summer to help welcome new students into the new life they are embarking on. Renners says the university had between 130 and 150 students volunteering, while the polytechnic had around 50 student volunteers.
The volunteers helped with campus tours and running booths on various parts of campus.
“It absolutely takes a village; it takes a big group to pull this event off. So, we are very appreciative of our volunteer staff for all the work they put in,” said Renners.
The booths at the university gave new students more information on the services available there to help them succeed in their studies. One of these booths was the University Bookstore.
The bookstore helped incoming students find any course material they needed to get them all set for their classes.
With technology being the focal point of today’s day and age, many textbooks are offered online. Not only is it more economical and lighter for the students to carry, but Kari Tanaka, manager of the bookstore, says it keeps money in the students’ pockets.
“I think one of the things we’re most excited about is there’s usually a cost savings attached to that as well. The cost difference between most print and digital, digital is usually less expensive. So, it’s really nice to be able to offer lower cost course material alternatives,” said Tanaka.
Tanaka added that the security of student’s information is top priority for the university and all downloadable content provided to the students is done in a secure manner for the student’s safety.
Both bookstores offer merchandise representing the school which gives students a feeling of belonging. Tanaka says it’s always fun seeing the merch out in the public.
“We love seeing our our hoodies and sweatshirts out in the wild any time we’re out anywhere. And seeing people just decked out in UofL and pronghorn swag it’s so exciting,” said Tanaka.
It’s not just staff that are excited to see new faces, fellow students are excited to help in any way they can.
Kaitlyn Marynowski is a fifth-year drama major student at the university who says while she didn’t attend the orientaton, she can empathize with the new students and needing help to find their way around campus.
“I was there once. I know what I know what (the new students) are going through. So I try to be as helpful as I can. The campus is getting bigger every day, so I kind of know where things are,” said Marynowski.
Marynowski says her advice to new students would be to not be afraid to ask for help if they need it.
“Don’t be afraid to go up to somebody who looks like they know what they’re doing and ask, because I feel like a lot of people are super shy. The bookstore or anywhere on campus, everybody is so nice,” said Marynowski.
Sharon Boit, vice president of Student Life at Lethbridge Polytechnic, was unable to attend the orientation there as she started classes during the COVID pandemic but says attending events at the college has helped her feel a sense of belonging, especially as an international student.
“Over the years I’ve seen that having these (events) makes you have a sense of belonging. You can come here, meet some new friends, and it will make your life easier here,” said Boit.
Both institutions held barbecues for new students to socialize after familiarizing themselves with the campuses.
It’s not just the new students embarking on a new adventure, Tuesday was the first official day for the institution’s new status as a Polytechnic.
Many returning students, including Therese Cavlinba, a business administration student, are excited to see what changes the name change will bring.
“I am looking forward for new things, especially now that it is a polytechnic. So, I’m looking forward to what the changes or what to expect Now up from college it has transitioned into a polytechnic,” said Cavlinba.
Classes officially start today for both institutions and the week will be full of events for all students to reunite with their former friends and make new friends for the upcoming school year.

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