By Annabelle McIntosh – Opinions Editor 

Each year, Bishop’s welcomes their incoming students with orientation week, also known as O-Week. This is a very important time for these students. As someone who has been a part of two, going on three, O-Weeks, I have seen the positive impact that this week has had on myself, my friends and new Gaiters.
Orientation week is organized by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and has dozens of upper-year volunteers as leaders and judges to help facilitate and spread the purple spirit. During this seven-day Gaiter welcome, new students participate in a variety of fun-filled activities such as a scavenger hunt, field day, SRC Extra Day, tie dye projects, multiple concerts, challenges for coins – or points – for their team and much more. There truly is something for everyone.
Making friends in a place where you may not know anyone can be intimidating and overwhelming. The desire to feel included and involved is high. O-Week is the perfect opportunity to get involved in the community, make connections with other students from different programs and meet people who share similar interests. Many lifelong friendships are created during this time. I know so many people who have now graduated who still keep in touch with their friends that they met through their team. 

Another highlight of O-Week is the academic tours. During this event, students will split up by academic department and upper-year students of the same program lead them on tours in the academic halls. This gives students a chance to learn where their classes will be, meet classmates and ask the tour guides questions about the program. I believe that having the volunteer students as tour guides creates more comfort for the incoming students so that they feel free to ask more questions. 

I had the opportunity to talk to second-year student Ella Lalonde about her experience with orientation week: “I think it is important for us, the incoming students, to be able to find all of our classes before school starts because it alleviates stress”, she states. “It is also very important to meet people so that you have connections.“ 

Overall, orientation week is such a great welcome for incoming students. It is the perfect occasion to get involved with the BU community in a safe environment, make new friends, learn more about the school and get more comfortable at your new home away from home.