students dancing at orientation

First Year Experience

Your СÓŶÌÊÓƵ experience begins here!

Whether you’re attending Orientation, preparing for day one, or navigating through your first year, we’re here to provide a warm welcome and transition programming to support your experience as a new student.

Orientation and transition programs

Welcome to СÓŶÌÊÓƵ! We’re very happy to have you join the СÓŶÌÊÓƵ family and begin your studies.

Whether you’re studying in person, remotely, or a combination of the two, it’s going to be a great year! Orientation and transition programs aim to help you successfully transition and prepare you for your college experience.

four photos merged into one image. All images are photos of staff and students celebrating 2019 fall orientation day.

Pre-Orientation activities

Pre-Orientation activities are delivered before your first day of classes. Our goal is to help you connect with the СÓŶÌÊÓƵ community early and build confidence navigating your Grizzly journey. Events during this time are a combination of virtual and in person. Make sure to confirm delivery details through .


Head Start

Head Start is your first step to success! This is part of our pre-Orientation programming where you’re able to connect and engage with СÓŶÌÊÓƵ services, supports and resources to ensure your success. Head Start activities have concluded for the winter semester; however, the recordings will be live on .

Starting April 23, 2024 at 10 a.m., we have great programming brought to you by folks around СÓŶÌÊÓƵ! Check the schedule below to join these virtual sessions for information you may need for your upcoming Summer semester. See you there!

Key features

  • Connect with your peers and make new friends
  • Discover Registrar’s Office supports and services
  • Meet your СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Students’ Association (GCSA)
  • Meet our awesome peer mentors
  • Explore international supports and services
  • Find out how СÓŶÌÊÓƵ supports your mental health and well-being
  • Learn about our counselling and accessibility supports
  • Learn about student co-op experiences
  • And so much more!

Academic Orientation

Your Academic Orientation experience is a crucial part of your start with СÓŶÌÊÓƵ. During this time, you’re able to take part in a variety of activities that support your success, both academically and personally.

Check out the list below for your Academic Orientation date.

Monday, May 6, 2024

  • Barrie campus (Register !)
  • Orillia campus

Friday, May 1, 2024

  • Orangeville campus

Parent and supporter programming

We recognize that you’re not starting your Grizzly journey alone. Through our parent and supporter programming, we aim to connect your parents and supporters to different services and resources accessible within the СÓŶÌÊÓƵ ecosystem.

What programming is being offered?

We’re in the process of planning more parent and supporter programs leading up to the winter 2024 Orientation experience. We’ll update this page once dates and details are confirmed.

Online experiences

Orientation pages on MyGCLife

Our online Orientation pages on MyGCLife are available now!

These pages include information about supports and services, outline our Head Start and Orientation schedule, the New Student Checklist, as well as student life opportunities and activities. There’s also a section dedicated to international students, with topics such as immigration, housing, insurance and cultural adjustment.

First Year Experience (FYE) Blackboard course

The Orientation team has also built First Year Experience (FYE) Blackboard modules to help you succeed as aÌýnew student! You’ll use Blackboard throughout your academic journey and it’s important that you become familiar with this online learning system. After you complete your course registration, you’ll see the FYE course in Blackboard. You’ll learn tips and tricks on how toÌýace your courses, get involved in the СÓŶÌÊÓƵ community,Ìýand thrive as a new student. This quick course is your roadmap to first-year success.

Your first six weeks

Each campus will feature different activities to connect you with your peers, get to know your campus, and have fun!

Many Orientation activities are set to occur before your first day of classes; however, the experience doesn’t stop there!

Curious about your on-campus experience? Check out this video to see what the Barrie Campus experience looks like!

Peer Mentors: What we do!

Peer Mentors are upper-year СÓŶÌÊÓƵ students who play a pivotal role in building community, a sense of belonging and connection at СÓŶÌÊÓƵ, and empower students to flourish through their first-year experience at college and beyond.

Now more than ever, students are connecting with their peers for support, highlighting the incredible importance of building a strong foundation and sense of virtual community among students early in their academic journey.

Peer Mentors are СÓŶÌÊÓƵ students who:

  • Foster community and a sense of belonging on campus
  • Build trusting and supportive relationships
  • Facilitate peer-to-peer discussion and connection
  • Role model student behaviour and integrity
  • Provide referrals and resources for students
  • Promote leadership and professional development opportunities
Five Peer Mentors posing for a picture

What our mentors and mentees have to say about the program

Mentor Julie and mentee Andrea talk about why they love the peer mentorship program and how it makes the transition to college life much easier.
First-semester student Andrea Cox describes how having a peer mentor has helped her transition into college life.
Mentor Julie Caterini describes why she decided to become a peer mentor and the leadership skills she has developed since joining the program.

Want a Peer Mentor? Apply to be a mentee!

As a mentee (first-year or new student), you’ll be matched with one of our awesome mentors who will support you through your transition to college, inform you of all the great services and supports СÓŶÌÊÓƵ has to offer, and provide opportunities for you to connect with other peers!

Get involved: Maximize your first-year experience

The best way to maximize your first-year experience is to immerse yourself into everything СÓŶÌÊÓƵ has to offer! We have a variety of student clubs, volunteer opportunities and workshops available to students. Here are a few ways to get involved:

  • Participate in Head Start, Academic Orientation and day one of classes to ensure you start off your experience right!
  • Complete the to get familiar with СÓŶÌÊÓƵ supports and services.
  • Ìý– Apply for a peer mentor and connect with an upper-year student to support you through your transition to СÓŶÌÊÓƵ.
  • Join a clubÌý– Check out the variety of clubs offered at Orientation and during Clubs Week.
  • Be aÌýchangemaker! – СÓŶÌÊÓƵ’s Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation (CCSI) provides experiential learning opportunities, skill development, teamwork and networking that will inspire you to influence social change in your community.
Colourful tree with student services listed on leaves

Common Questions (FAQs)

Does orientation focus on more than academics?СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Chevron

Of course! Many of our campus partners come out to celebrate and welcome you to СÓŶÌÊÓƵ! There are events andÌýactivities planned, as well asÌýopportunities to winÌýswag and more.ÌýWe want to ensure youÌýexperience everything СÓŶÌÊÓƵ has to offer.

Will there be an academic program session for all programs?СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Chevron

Yes! You’ll have the opportunity to meet your program co-ordinator, review program and student expectations, as well as ask any questions you have regarding your academic choices.

Each program will have anÌýacademic program session to participateÌýin.ÌýMore information will be provided in your campus orientation schedule (released a few weeks before the start of the semester).

Where can I find supports and services available to me prior to attending orientation?СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Chevron

There are many amazing support optionsÌýСÓŶÌÊÓƵ has to offer including various academic resources and social/emotional supports and services. Check out ourÌýGuide for New StudentsÌýfor more details!

You can also follow many of our different СÓŶÌÊÓƵ social media accounts, check out the graphic below for more information.

social media accounts

List of Instagram accounts to consider following:

  • СÓŶÌÊÓƵ –
  • First Year Experience –
  • Library –
  • СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Grizzlies –
  • ONEcard –
  • GCSA Barrie –
  • GCSA Orillia –
  • GCSA Owen Sound –
  • GCSA Orangeville –
  • Muskoka Campus –
  • South СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Bay Campus –
  • Midland Campus –
  • Peer Mentors –
  • Changemaking at СÓŶÌÊÓƵ –
  • Segal International Centre –
  • Mental Health and Well-being –
What are the expectations of me as a СÓŶÌÊÓƵ student?СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Chevron

СÓŶÌÊÓƵ values excellence, community engagement, integrity, inclusion and sustainability. As a new student in our community, it is expected that you represent these values in all aspects of your student journey.

Are orientation events accessible?СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Chevron

Definitely!ÌýСÓŶÌÊÓƵ is committed to improving access to all college premises, facilities and services at all campuses. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility while attending ourÌýorientation programmingÌýor student events, please emailÌýorientation@georgiancollege.ca.

How do I access online resources for orientation?СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Chevron

All students are able to access their student systems and orientation resources after they have confirmed their offer to a СÓŶÌÊÓƵ program.

  • Full time students: You’ll have received a confirmation letter or letter of acceptance identifying your login details and default password. These login details will work for all of you student systems.
  • Part-time students: who have registered for individual courses through Continuing Education: You’ll receive this initial password to the preferred email provided after completing СÓŶÌÊÓƵ’s student number application.

If you have forgotten your login or password, pleaseÌýreset your passwordÌýusing the password management service or contact IT Support.

Contact us

We’re here to help youÌýnavigate campus, learn more aboutÌýstudent services, find aÌýpeer mentorÌýor get involved with events, programming and activities on campus.

Barrie Campus

Email:ÌýEmail the Orientation team
Phone:Ìý249.388.0796
Location:ÌýRoom K201

Midland Campus

Email the Midland Campus

Muskoka Campus

Email: Michelle Kennedy
Location: Room 128

Orangeville Campus

Email: Stacey MacNeil
Location: Room 127

Orillia Campus

Email:ÌýGail Hudson
Location:ÌýGCSA office, A111

Owen Sound Campus

Email:ÌýDanielle Barlow
Location:ÌýGCSA office, D102

South СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Bay Campus

Email the South СÓŶÌÊÓƵ Bay Campus