Day ONE at UFV — my first-day experience

UFV student Chloe Tran shares her experience at Day ONE student orientation.

Day ONE at UFV: My first-day experience

When I walked onto campus for the first time, I was excited but also kind of nervous. I had my backpack, my coffee, and a million questions in my head. I was looking around, trying to figure out where to go, and wondering if I was the only one feeling a little lost. Spoiler: I wasn’t.

Day ONE is UFV’s orientation for new students. It happens before classes start and is all about helping you to get comfortable, check out the campus, and meet people you might end up seeing all year. It’s not a lecture. It’s a chance to feel like you actually belong here.

Arriving on campus

The first thing that hit me was the people. Student leaders were walking around with huge smiles, helping everyone find where to go. One of them even noticed me looking around like a lost puppy and came over to say hi. Little gestures like that made a huge difference.

There were signs pointing to key buildings and volunteers making sure check-in was smooth. I came with my cousin, and it was nice to have someone there, not because I needed help but just for moral support. It made everything feel less scary.

What actually happens at Day ONE

It’s not just sitting in rooms listening to people talk. You start with a welcome session, then go on a campus tour with current students who actually use these spaces. They tell stories about where they like to study, where the best coffee is, and which spots are secretly great to hang out between classes.

Then there are little info sessions about programs and support services, and small group chats where you can ask questions without feeling embarrassed. I remember realizing halfway through that literally everyone looked as nervous as I felt. That was comforting.

Feeling like you belong

One of the best parts of Day ONE is seeing familiar faces again later on. Maybe it’s someone you met at check-in, a student leader from your tour, or a person sitting next to you in a session. By the end of the day, the campus felt smaller and easier to navigate.

You start to notice shortcuts, favourite spots, and imagine where you’ll spend most of your time. That little feeling of “I can do this” starts to grow.

Even if you’re shy, that’s okay. You can just watch, listen, and take it all in. No one expects you to be super outgoing or have everything figured out.

Little moments that stood out

Some moments really stuck with me. A student leader pointing out their favourite study spot. Someone saying they were nervous too, and everyone nodding. A shared laugh when we took the long way around on a tour.

Those little things are what made UFV feel real. It wasn’t intimidating. It felt supportive.

Tips for Day ONE

Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll do a lot of walking. Bring a water bottle and a couple of questions you’ve been thinking about. Bringing a parent or friend can help. Ask student leaders for guidance if you need it. Take notes or photos of places you like. And it’s completely fine to just observe and soak it in if that’s what you need.

Imagine yourself here

By the end of Day ONE, the campus doesn’t feel like this big, scary place anymore. It feels like somewhere you could actually learn, make friends, and figure out your routine. If you’re trying to picture yourself at UFV, Day ONE is a great sneak peek.

See yourself here? Check out our Future Students page to explore programs and next steps to start your journey at UFV.