Lakehead University students moved into residence Thursday morning at the Orillia campus ahead of the first day of school Tuesday.
Brandon Amyot, vice-president of the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) in Orillia, says it feels like the new academic year has already begun.
“If you are in an online class, especially, you’ve probably already gotten messages from your professor,” they said. “Between that and move-in day, students are already starting to feel like we are really in it.”
Amyot says both students and faculty have been looking forward to the upcoming week since the end of the last school year.
“We basically spend all year preparing for this,” they said. “We’ve got some really big events happening beginning tomorrow night with our Flix in the Field event, LUSU Fest next week, a drag bingo event next Friday, and our fresh market.”
Amyot encourages students to stay connected to the LUSU Instagram this year for events and campus news.
They say students can expect extracurricular activities and school events to be back to total capacity this year, whereas last year there were still some limitations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will be building back better with our events and going a little larger. LUSU Fest is going to be even larger this year with clubs, a community fair, and more rides,” they said.
“There are some really new, big and exciting things happening this year. I think it’s really what we’ve always been doing, but better.”
Amyot says students who moved into residence Thursday seemed to have a “little bounce in their step.”
“They are looking forward to getting involved with student life, whether it’s different clubs or events the student union is putting on,” they said.
Residence is at full capacity again this year with about 240 students. Amyot says Lakehead University continues to grow, illustrating the demand for the Orillia campus.
“Lakehead has always been known for its small class sizes, sense of community, and we definitely punch above our weight on many different scales,” they said. “We are the community school where anybody can come.”
Harmony Demers, a second-year interdisciplinary studies student from Muskoka, looks forward to taking her criminology classes this fall. She is also excited about getting more involved with the school community.
“During the first six weeks of school, I’m looking forward to getting to know more students,” she said. “I actually didn’t go to any school events last year, but I will be trying to get out to more this year.”
As a sophomore on campus now, Demers encourages first-year students to not focus all of their time on their studies.
“Try to have fun outside of that,” she said. “Focus on your studies to get the degrees you want, but also make sure to make time for yourself and for fun.”
Alex Cloutier moved into residence Thursday from her home in Mount Forest. She will be studying history this year.
“I’m not really sure what to expect,” she said. “I’m looking forward to having more freedom than what I had in high school.”
Cloutier admits she was feeling nervous, as it’s her first time living away from home.
“I’m kind of nervous about having to use the laundry,” she said with a laugh.
She says her first day on campus has been a success and she is glad she chose Lakehead.
“Everybody has been really nice,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed meeting people here and I think this will be a good experience for me.”
