Get into the Malaspina spirit

Malaspina University-College is calling all new students to come to campus before the craziness of classes start to get a jump on making new friends.

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Spirit of Success: Mal-U New Student Orientation offers three sessions at the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Nanaimo campus and one at the Cowichan campus, all on August 31. In Nanaimo the day will start in the Malaspina Theatre where current students will let new students in on their secrets on how to get the most out of their Malaspina experience.

“Orientation Day is more than just a tour, it’s a chance for new students to get a lay of the land,” said event organizer and Malaspina Master’s in Business Administration graduate Joanna Hesketh.

“This is a chance for new students to find out how to succeed at Malaspina.”

After getting some tips and hearing a few personal experiences, students will be taken on a campus tour to get to know where classes will be and who will be in them. The session wraps up with a service fair in the cafeteria where participants have a chance to win door prizes including $300 bursaries, $200 study abroad vouchers or a grocery carts full of food from Quality Foods.

Hesketh hopes new students will also walk away with a sense of community and confidence to start their student careers off on the right foot.

“We want to make sure new students get the support they need to have a successful and fun first year because coming to a post-secondary institution is a big change for them,” said Hesketh.

By attending the Orientation new students will also get to meet the more than 800 other first year students expected to attend Malaspina this fall.

Malaspina’s Powell River Campus, Cowichan Campus, Nanaimo Campus and Parksville Qualicum Centre have more than 14,000 full-time and part-time students taking trades, academic and technicial training.

The three free Nanaimo sessions run 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. There is also one session at the Cowichan campus on the same day from noon-4 p.m.

Pre -registration is mandatory. To register go to http://www.viu.ca/orientation/index.asp or go to any Malaspina Registration Centre.

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