On September 3, come together with your fellow first-year students.
We want you to be ready for your first day of university, so we’ve put together some pro tips to help you make the most of your Imagine UBC experience!
Why should I go?
Imagine UBC is more than just an orientation or a campus tour. It’s your first chance to meet professors and students from your faculty who will be important during your time here. Also, the Pep Rally is the only time you will see your entire first-year class together!
By now, you’ve received your schedule by email (if you haven’t, contact orientations.info@ubc.ca) and you may have also heard from your Orientation Leader (OL). If you haven’t heard from your OL yet, you will soon.
Transfer students: You may feel like you’ve already had the “intro to university” experience. However, Imagine UBC is still for you! Your orientation group is specifically designed for you to meet other transfer students and leaders from your program.
Even if you’re not new to this whole post-secondary thing, your first few days of classes will be less daunting if you see some familiar faces. Plus, you don’t want to miss the Main Event!
What do I bring?
Clothes for the weather
Imagine UBC happens rain or shine and, knowing Vancouver, it’s always a good idea to carry an umbrella. You might also want to bring a hat and a sweater because, yes, the weather is that unpredictable.
Comfortable shoes
You’ll be exploring campus for a big part of the day, so wear shoes that you can walk in. All. Day. Long.
Your faculty colour
Come dressed in your faculty colour! This will make it easier for you to find other people in your group—and you’ll start feeling proud to belong in your faculty!
Snacks
You’ll get a free lunch at Imagine UBC, but bring snacks and a refillable water bottle to keep you going throughout the day.
Your course schedule
If you’re in first year, you’ll be in an orientation group with students who share at least 1 common course with you! Although you may not be able to visit all your classrooms, you can ask your OL where various buildings are and compare schedules with others in your group. Trust me, you don’t want to be 20 minutes late to class looking for your English 101 lecture hall.
Tips for the day
Be prepared for crowds
Imagine UBC is a fun but busy day. Make sure you’re aware of where your group is and take breaks if you need them. Read our introvert’s guide to Imagine UBC for more tips if you’re not the “jump-head-first-into-a-crowd” type.
Stick with a new friend (or two)
It’s the buddy system from kindergarten all over again. There’s going to be a lot of people on campus, and it’s always better to have a friend if you happen to lose your orientation group. And you’ll have someone to explore the Main Event with after the Pep Rally.
Check out the Main Event
Be sure to check out the Main Event between 1:00 to 4:30 pm. This is your chance to explore all the ways you can get involved during your time at UBC. From working at the student radio station to playing on the Quidditch team, there really is something for everyone.
Ask for help
Not sure where to go or what to do? There will be lots of staff volunteers around to help you. Everyone here wants you to have an amazing first day (and beyond) at UBC. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—there will always be a friendly face willing to point you in the right direction. You can also call or text your Orientation Leader if you lose your group.
Accessibility needs? Let us know!
We want everyone to be able to take part in Imagine UBC. If you have a disability or medical condition that may affect your participation, please contact orientations.info@ubc.ca as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements for you.
Everyone here is really excited to welcome you! And Imagine UBC is just the beginning of your amazing journey ahead. We’ll see you out there!
