AC Day 1 kicked off another year for returning and first year Algonquin College students Sept. 4.
First year students went through orientation and learned about the different and numerous faculties and resources at their disposal here at the college. They also met their program coordinators and some professors, as well as their colleagues for the duration of their time here..
Professors and returning students were at the college on day one to help ease nerves and answer questions.
“Orientation was great. I enjoyed meeting my program coordinator and some of the people in my course,” said Bailey MacDonald, 20, a first year personal support worker student. “I feel very confident and excited about my time here and everything the college has to offer.”
Among this year’s events were laser tag, bubble soccer and archery tag, the Good Morning Coffee Bar, Observatory menu sampling, Board Games and Bracelets.
A free concert finished up the back-to-school celebrations featuring the Sam Roberts Band, Birds of Bellwoods, and The Riot Police. There were also booths featuring performers from Hot 89.9, TJ Morrison, a former Algonquin student and singer/songwriter, as well as many others throughout the day at various locations around campus.
“I think the hardest thing for me will be to start paying attention to not getting behind in schoolwork,” said Nick Dawson, 20, a first year automotive student. “It looks like it’s going to be a heavy course load.”
Others founds the first day somewhat dizzying.
“It was so overwhelming, there is a lot of people and not a lot of directions on where to go. I am not used to being on my own and figuring everything out,” said Brooke Seguin, first year culinary student.
But it was clear from the comments obtained by the Times that the new school year is a great way to start over. It is gives a reason to start healthy habits and strengthen old relationships.
“I want to learn a lot more than I did in high school, I just want to keep learning and see what’s out there,” said 18 year-old journalism student Arlyn Mae Estavo,
“It is a different and new and exciting,” said Mamoun Elamir an electro-mechanical engineering technician.
(With files from Fiona Scrivens).