Faq

How much does Orientation cost?
The cost of Orientation is included in your student fees. To sign up, all you need to do is register!

What should I bring?
You will be outside for some of our events and to walk between buildings, so be prepared for the weather. You will be provided with a meal at our BBQ but are welcome to bring snacks if you think you might still be hungry.

Here are a few other things you should bring with you:
•    Comfortable walking shoes
•    Rain jacket or umbrella (we are hoping that it won’t rain, but just in case)
•    Your class schedule - for tours & if you would like help finding your classrooms
•    Pen or pencil
•    A smile

Did you say something about prizes?
We have been working with local and area businesses to collect prizes to be given out at Orientation. Our list of donations is growing everyday and we hope that you will be as excited to receive the prizes as we are to give them away.

If you are connected with a local business and would like to make a donation to Orientation, please contact us orientation-info@unbc.ca.

Should I be concerned about transportation?
If you are not living on campus and do not have a vehicle, you will need to ensure that you are familiar with transit services in Prince George. For information about BC Transit routes and schedules go to http://www.transitbc.com/regions/prg/

Do I have to attend all events?
We recommend and encourage that you attend as many events as possible, simply because the more events you participate in, the more people you'll meet, the more fun you'll have, and the more university experience and information you will acquire.

What is the Parent Welcome (Orientation)?
Parent Welcome is a program designed to also help parents become familiar with UNBC. Parents will learn about the aspects of university life that will directly affect them, receive UNBC’s Parent Calendar & Handbook containing information about student services and campus resources, including financial aid, housing, health services, and career planning; and meet current students, faculty, and staff who are able and willing to answer questions about UNBC and university life.

Do my parents have to come to the Parent Welcome?
No, parents do not have to attend the Parent Welcome. However, it is highly recommended that parents attend to learn more about UNBC and what their daughter and/or son will experience at university.

(Questions and answers from former 1st year students)

What was your biggest fear that you had about university and was it easily overcome once you started school? If you overcame this fear, how did you do so?

My biggest fear (and occasionally still is) about starting university was whether I had made the right decision. University costs a lot of time and money and as a mature student I was scared that I was going to waste a huge chunk of my life. The one thing I realized after I got started was that none of it would be a waste. Most programs feed into other programs if for some reason you change your mind about the direction of your life. I also meet several people who graduated in one subject area and are now working in other areas. These individuals found value in the process of university that altered how they saw and interacted with the world around them. Life is fluid and ever changing and the university experience is just as much about educating yourself for future employment as it is about educating yourself for your life experience.
~ 3rd Year Chemistry Student

My biggest fear when coming to university was not about friends or living on my own, but about if I could hack it as a university student. High school was always easy for me and I sort of sailed by without putting much studying in. But, I knew that university was going to be more of a challenge and I wasn't sure If I was ready for it. This fear was not easily overcome when I entered into university. It took a couple of semesters to adjust and find the appropriate way to arrange my time. But, that's all it took, was time management. The biggest lesson I've learned in University so far is the ability to manage my time to fit in papers, exams and a little fun. My advice to any first years would be to make a plan for each semester and prepare before class. I remember teachers repeating this, but it really is the best advice someone can give when adjusting to the academia of university.
~ 3rd Year Psychology Student

My biggest fear when I first came to University was making new friends, as I had been out of high school for several years and had moved up from Squamish, so I didn't know any one. It was a little tough to meet people at first, but what really helped me was joining extra curricular activities. Through volunteer work for CFUR and other organizations, I met lots of new friends and looking back the fear seems silly.
~ 4th Year Political Science Student

My biggest fear was that I would get completely lost the first day. This was overcome when I went to orientation and realized how small and easy to get around UNBC was. Except for the library building, all the room numbers are well laid out and easy to follow.
~ 2nd Year Environmental Engineering Student

I think my biggest fear about university was that even though I was an 'A' student in high school, I was afraid that when I came to university the classes would be so incredibly hard and I would get bad grades all the time. It was overcome once I started school by making time to keep up with class readings every day, form study groups, and make a study schedule. It sounds dorky but making a study schedule and planning stuff out ahead of time makes it way easier to study and do better in classes. I also got over this fear simply through time and by doing well first semester I knew I could continue to do well.
~ 3rd Year Psychology Student

I still have more questions...
Please browse our Frequently Asked Questions for prospective students. www.unbc.ca/whyunbc/faq.