Your first day at UBC Vancouver is coming up fast! Once you’ve accepted your offer, you’re ready to start thinking about the orientation options available for you this summer. Together, they’re designed to help you meet your first friends, get ready to learn in a university setting, and hit the ground running as soon as classes begin in September.
Academic Essentials
Academic Essentials is an online program that will prepare you for academic success as you transition to university. There are three courses you can take: Reading and Writing at University, Readiness for University Mathematics, and Live Well to Learn Well. You can take one, two, or all three. Each is offered online as a self-paced and self-directed online course, and you’ll be guided by facilitators who are current UBC undergraduate students who can help you with the course material, share their first-year learning experiences, and give you some helpful tips for success. In all your Academic Essentials courses, you’ll build your academic skills, develop confidence in your academic readiness, and get access to a library of learning and wellness resources to help you get the most out of your first year and succeed at university.
Who should take part
All incoming first-year students to UBC Vancouver.
Dates and deadlines
Academic Essentials runs from July 2 to August 9. Registration will open in June.
Jump Start at UBC Vancouver
Jump Start at UBC Vancouver is a multi-day academic orientation program designed to give you a first look at university life, let you meet your professors and academic community, and help you make your first friends at UBC Vancouver. This year, depending on whether you’re planning to live on or off campus in your first term, you’ll be able to participate in Jump Start’s residence or commuter stream.
You can take part in Jump Start’s commuter stream or residence stream, depending on whether you’ll be living on- or off-campus in your first term. In both streams, you’ll enjoy scheduled group events with your classmates, as well as sessions and offerings you can take part in at your own pace. You’ll be assigned to a learning community which will be led by two upper-year students and a faculty fellow. Together, you’ll take part in fun activities like trivia nights, sports, dance tutorials, and art activities, as well as opportunities to explore campus and learn how to successfully transition from high school student to university scholar.
Who should take part
All first-year students coming to UBC Vancouver from high school.
Dates and deadlines
Jump Start at UBC Vancouver runs from August 28 to August 30, and residence students may move in on August 27.
Register now! Registration closes June 27 at 11:59 PST.
Imagine UBC
Imagine UBC is an exciting full-day event that welcomes new students to the campus community and helps them get acquainted with university life. For most students, Imagine UBC replaces the first day of classes. If you are a first-year student, you will have the chance to meet other students in your faculty, your Dean, and some of your future professors. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn about support services available on campus and get introduced to hundreds of student clubs and groups to help you make friends and get involved. If you are coming to UBC from another university or college, Imagine UBC is also for you! By participating in Imagine, you’ll be able to make connections that will help kick start your UBC experience.
Who should take part
All first-year and returning undergraduate students coming to UBC Vancouver.
Dates and deadlines
Imagine UBC happens on September 3. There is no need to register.
In late August, every first year student will receive an email outlining their detailed Imagine Day schedule. If you’re already participating in Jump Start, your Imagine Day schedule will be included in your Jump Start program schedule.