U of A Winter Orientation

WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA AND YOUR NEW COMMUNITY!

Your orientation includes in-person and online components to fit your university experience that relates to who you are, what you are studying and introduces you to your campus culture and student life.


Step 1: Start online orientation

Start learning about your U of A community with online orientation. Each module introduces you to a different aspect of studying at the U of A.

Step 2: Attend in-person orientation events

Get the complete orientation experience by attending; attend in-person events to connect with campus resources and new friends! See below if your faculty offers a winter orientation event or if there is an event that matches your interests.


Winter Warm-up

Jan. 10 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Lower level SUB Atrium

Drop in for a chance to connect with your campus services, your community and your people.

Your U of A campuses offer various services to enhance your student experience. Winter Warm-up is an opportunity to connect!

Why you should attend:

Get to know your support network: Meet the teams behind essential services such as the Academic Support Centre, Wellness Supports and Campus Community Recreation. They can assist you through your university experience.

Explore ways to get involved: Learn about undergraduate research, going abroad, the Student Ambassador program, Community Service Learning, Student Governance (Students’ Union and Graduate Students’ Association) and SU Involvement for campus events and volunteer opportunities that match your interests. Getting involved is one of the best ways to make friends and build your community.

Enjoy free hot chocolate: Warm up and chat with fellow students and staff. Plus, enter the Winter Warm-up door prize for a chance to win a Daily Grind or a University Bookstore gift card.

Attend Winter Warm-up to meet your new community and kick off your U of A experience!

Accessibility and accommodations at the U of A

The U of A offers academic accommodations to eligible students who encounter limitations or restrictions to their ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary level due to medical conditions, including physical and mental conditions, and/or non-medical protected grounds.

Apply for medical accommodations now!

Take advantage of this assistance to apply them to your first term. Verification takes time; if you submit later, your accommodations may not be granted in time. Accessibility supports include adaptive technologies, alternate formats, CART/real-time transcribing, sign language interpretation, and other specialist services.

You can access the Student Equity and Accessibility team for non-medical accommodations at any time. Learn more


International Students

International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) provides programs, services, and events for U of A international students. They are ready to help you throughout your U of A journey and can’t wait to connect with you at their welcome events. Start your U of A experience with the International Student Orientation self-paced online course; it covers everything to prepare you for life in Canada.


Campus Saint-Jean

À toutes les nouvelles personnes étudiantes qui commencent leur année en janvier 2025:

Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez surtout pas à joindre La Centrale, votre point de contact étudiant par courriel: lacentrale@ualberta.ca ou par téléphone au 780-465-8797.

La Centrale sera fermée à partir du 24 décembre 2024 et réouvrira ses portes le 6 janvier 2025. N'hésitez donc pas à joindre votre HUB étudiant!


Orientation events for students living in residence

No matter where you are in your university journey, designed to introduce you to your peers and your new living environment, residence orientation offers the tools you need to succeed during the upcoming academic year. If you enter residence for the first time this winter, you automatically receive communication about winter orientation activities leading to your move-in.


Graduate Students

GSA Winter Orientation

January 21, 2025 | 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | TELUS Atrium

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) welcomes you to an opportunity to connect with university & external resources, learn about GSA services and meet fellow graduate students.

Learn about the GSA Services and Supports and find out about the GSA Health and Dental Plan, Graduate Student Groups and GSA Grants.

Your graduate student orientation includes light refreshments, GSA planners and prize draws.

GSA Social Hour

January 28 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Triffo Hall Lounge

Take a moment to unwind after the start of the semester at the GSA Social Hour. You will have an opportunity to network with fellow graduate students and enjoy complimentary snacks and warm beverages.

No registration is required. Just show up and have fun!

Other Events

Students who Parent on Campus Online Orientation

Monday, January 13, 12 - 1 p.m., Google Meet

Mocktails Meetup with The Landing

Tuesday, January 14, 12 - 1 p.m., Students’ Union Building (SUB) Orion Room

Mature Student Hot Chocolate and Colouring Meetup

Tuesday, January 14, 4 - 6 p.m. SUB 4-02

Indigenous Graduate Student Bannock Making Meetup

Thursday, January 16, 4 - 6 p.m., SUB 2-725

PhD Winter Welcome Reception

Wednesday, January 29, 4 - 6 p.m., Triffo Hall



Meet your union and association

SUB building

Undergraduate Students

The University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) is your student-run organization. They advocate on your behalf to improve your student experience and ensure you’re getting the support you need. Your UASU is filled with services, businesses, events, perks, resources and job and volunteer opportunities to help you make the most of your student experience.

Triffo Hall

Graduate Students

Your Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) provides a wealth of services to members that enrich your graduate student experience. You automatically become a member of the GSA with the right to vote in elections, serve on committees and access GSA benefits. The GSA introduces you to the association and campus services in their online orientation module.


Varsity Events

Crowd of fans cheering on the Golden Bears hockey team.

Be the Roar!

The U of A spirit is alive at athletic events. Cheer on your fellow U of A athletes and soak in the school spirit at these varsity games. All current students get access to a free ticket to each of our conference home games!

Follow varsity teams on Instagram: @bearsandpandas and @uab_varsitylife


Audience

Students

Category

Involvement

Provider
Provost