Students ensured they were in the ‘know’ about the university life from “admission to graduation” ahead of the start of the classes this year.

Director of the Office of Student Services, Dale Lynch, said that orientation events, namely the orientation days and orientation fair, were well attended.

“Each orientation day had over 800 participants . . . Based on the numbers, it was clear that people saw it as important. On the first day they came, and returned on the second day. Last year we noticed a fall off on the second day, and that was not the case this year,” she said.

“. . . We used the opportunity to help students understand what university education is like and using a holistic education model, we encouraged students to make use of the resources on campus.”

The theme for this year’s orientation season was KNOW: Knowledge (of good study skills and resources available on campus), Network,

Organise (good time management skills), Weigh (study/life balance). Orientation days were held on August 21 and 24, 2018 in the Roy MarshallTeaching Complex. Sessions were also held for international students as well as parents and partners.

New student orientation activities climaxed with an Orientation Fair and Inter-Clubs Committee Expo on the Guild Lawn, on Tuesday, September 4. The event served as a wonderful opportunity to expose new and returning students to the plethora of student clubs and societies on campus, the Guild of Student representatives and some of the courses offered on campus. “This was an ideal event for those who are interested in social/co-curricular landscape,” Lynch explained.

Additionally, service providers such as telecommunications companies, banks, and small businesses were pitched on the lawn, showcasing special offers and giving away free cupcakes and other sweet treats. The OSS director added that there was also concerted effort to expose the entrepreneurial talents of students.