askastudent

Hi,

I will be unable to attend Frosh Week because I’ll be arriving campus 3 days after it starts, but I am kind a worried because almost all the sources that I have read indicates that this is an important “mile-stone” that first-years need to take, and that it was a good way to meet friends, socialize, get used to the campus etc… I’m also dorming, so I have this little irrelevant fear that I won’t get along with my roomates (in Innis) because they’ll know each other better before I arrive, and I’ll sort of be the “outcast”.

I was just wondering, am I really missing much? I’m sure there will be other opportunities to find friends, socialize, and attend orientation that may help me as a first year? I just don’t want to be left out, or feeling like I’m missing something that so many people are hyping over.

Cheers,
Catherine

Hey Catherine!

Don’t worry! Frosh week is pretty fun, sure, but it is by no means the dealbreaker when it comes to social life at U of T.

To make you feel better, here’s what I didn’t like about frosh week: they pretend to feed you, but actually all you get is two burgers a day, you really don’t sleep ever at all, you can’t officially drink, but everyone seems to be acting funny, and you’re totally wiped out when classes start. Still feel like you missed out? Well, maybe so, but there’s still no reason to worry.

Living in res also gives you a leg up on meeting people, especially people involved in Innis student life– which you’ve probably realized by now! Several of my roommates at Innis didn’t do Frosh, so I made sure to bring them along to meet others, and, for better or for worse, we ended up being one of the busiest suites on the block! I’m sure your roomies will be just as down to hang. House events and residence programming simulate the same sort of get-to-know-yous that frosh does, anyhow, so you’ve got a second chance there.

Honestly, Catherine, I made my best first-year friends in my classes- for one thing, you already know you have similar interests as those people, as opposed to a fairly arbitrary commonality such as your year and your college. And second of all, it’s simply more natural to chat  after class about your cute prof than it is to get a stranger to guess the celebrity name taped to their forehead at 9am on a Saturday (true story, it was Rachel McAdamsfor me, and I didn’t even know who that was!). Getting involved in campus activities, getting a part-time job, and just being friendly and outgoing go pretty darn far.

One last bit, and this is mostly for future froshies- if you missed Innis frosh, I hope you opted-out of the $100 fee in time! A few years ago, the Innis College Student Society ,who run Frosh, included a somewhat greedy referendum in the yearly elections, which changed Frosh fees from opt-in (you pay when you sign up) to opt-out (you’re automatically charged on ROSI, and have to contact them a month before frosh to get your money back if you aren’t going). If you ask me, the kind of student who doesn’t go to Frosh is often the kind who wouldn’t know to vote in student elections, so thats why the motion passed overwhelmingly– and now a lot of first-years are paying for something they don’t even get! Bummer spice!

Welcome to U of T!

aska

Hey there,

A quick question as orientation week dawns… Are non-U of T students able to attend any Frosh events? If this question is college-specific as each has their own orientation, I belong to Vic.

Thanks so much for the help!

—————————————————————

Heyo,

I would say no. Just because you have to pay for that shiz.

Buuuuut

Here are some suggestion on how to sneak someone in:

Step 1 – Snag a Vic Frosh shirt from someone (potentially someone too drunk too notice)

Step 2 – Make a name tag for them that uses a common name of someone in your group (Michael, Steve, Lisa, Emily)

Step 3 – Only attend events that don’t require a check it

Step 4 -Ignore step 3,  walk with confidence through any checkins or security barriers. If you walk like you belong, you will belong.

live long and froshy,

aska

Hi there,
I was wondering if i was to defer my payment due to OSAP would I be charged a deferral fee. Secondly, i`m a commuter. For frosh week, i chose to stay on campus for its accommodations. How are the accommodations – (my college is st.mikes)?

Many thanks,a first year student

—————————————————————

Heyo

Hell no! There are not any charges for deferring your fees because of OSAP. That would just be a kick in the ribs when you are down. Just make sure to make your payments in a timely fashion after you receive your OSAP because interest will start to accumulate after the 15th of Oct and then every mid-month mark after that!

Your accommodations will be in the regular residences, so I would hope they are pretty decent because some student will be staying there for the next 8 months. I haven’t heard a peep about St.Mikes rez situation, so I’m sure they are pretty decent to not warrant any complains from students who are use to mommy and daddy’s nice house.

Rest your vocals and prepare yourself for a lot of chanting in Frosh week!

still recovering,

aska

Hi there,
I am a Chinese first year student and I am very interested in the Frosh Week. I will arrive at Toronto at Sep. 5th and I wonder whether the Frosh Week is a very energy-consuming activity? Do I have chances to take my textbooks, Tcard and maybe sometimes go for a shopping? Can you please tell me how many students will join the Frosh Week?

Thank you very much!

Chuqing Yang

———————————————

I am including this question today because it is soooooooo cute and after hours of answering anonymous emails (but not posting them on the site because I am a ninja), it is JUST. THE. CUTEST.

Dear Chuqing,

You will definitely have time for shopping, grabbing your TCard and general hang-times in between the crazed frosh week melee. When you move into residence, the Frosh Week organizers will instantly pummel you into submission and give you a schedule. Usually events happen during the afternoon and evening, giving you a bit of a breather in between.

Here is the info to apply for all the Innis Frosh Week craziness if you haven’t already done so. (Note: this only applies if you are an Innis student.) It takes place between September 6th and 10th, and while I can’t say just how many students take part, IT WILL BE THE BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!! Or you know, survivable.

xoxo, Askastudent

Dear Aska,
I heard tons of different things about ‘Frosh Week’ and I understand what it
is.
But, I read up on the UofT site, that we must purchase a ‘Frosh Kit’. What
are the contents in this kit, and how much do we pay for it?

Believe me, it’s not as exciting as you think it is.

After paying your orientation fees to your college when you sign up for frosh week  (though I think it might be like a weekend) before the first day of classes, you’ll receive your own handy-dandy frosh kit. Inside the kit will be staples like a bottle of water and condoms (in case you feel like making water balloons, of course), The Varsity’s Student Handbook, a student organizer, maybe some sponsored coupons (Vic students one year got passes to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra) and the all-important Frosh Week t-shirt, to denote which member of the tribe you really are. Expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $10-$15 for this mandatory kit.

For more frosh week questions, check out this Q&A at UTSC.

Having never attended frosh myself, I can’t really vouch for it – though friends in residence did say it totally offered the opportunity to hook up with all the hot second years a week early. Personally, Askastudent is basically as old as the hills now – and not those fake-tanned celebrities from Los Angeles.

Happy Frosh!  Aska

What campus club/organization is in charge of Frosh week?  I need to contact them for frosh kit questions…any possible contact would help.  Thank you in advance.

A simple question.  A less simple answer.

Much like Canadian Federalism, Frosh Week responsibilities are divided amongst U.T.S.U. and the individual Colleges.  

UTSU (the metaphorical federal gov) will do the concert, parade, and clubs fair – typically on the last day. They will also amass the basic “frosh kit” (e.g. laundry bag, XXL t-shirt, random flyers that you’ll never look at).

It is your College’s Student Society (‘provincial gov’) that will conduct registration, and organize the itinerary for the majority of Frosh Week. They will also supplement the frosh kits with another t-shirt (probably just an XL this time), some college paraphernalia, and some more useless papers.     

Sometimes college residences will host Orientation activities too (…they’re like municipal gov’s!).

The International Student Centre will also host activities (…yep, my metaphor just ran dry).

I’m going to take this pro-active opportunity to say (from experience) that you must participate in the Frosh Week of your OWN College. So, if your high school friend goes to Trin, and you’re at Innis… it looks like you’re gonna have to make a new friend. Bahahaha!  

Seriously though, participating in Frosh Week is a critical way to socially transition to the university and the city. It WILL be awkward and tiring at times, but if you are a good sport I promise you’ll have a blast.

You can expect a registration form in the mail from your Student Society/Union/Council in June or July, or sometimes you can just register on the website:

Innis                      New                      St. Mikes                             Trin

U.C.                       Vic                          Woodsworth                     UTSC

UTM

P.s. I’m sorry UTSU. You were a casualty of my metaphor. I would never suggest that you resemble Steve Harper & Co.

so the smc frosh is next week and i have no idea what to do or what to expect: where do i go? what do i wear? how do i act?

help, for the love of all that is good!

  (more…)

i have a question about subject POSts, I have recently enrolled in 4 courses normally on ROSI by just adding them, I am coming to U of T for the first time in september and I recently have seen that there is an option to add programs of study on ROSI and I plan on finishing university with both philosophy and english majors, i have enrolled in courses that are part of both my majors such as Literature for our Time and Introductory philosophy and all my courses have just been paid for, will I face a problem because I didn’t enroll in a program of study…does it matter or can enroll in them later on…? i mean i’m alreaady taking courses that will count towards the program…     
                                                                       

P.S I have paid for frosh-week and nobody has contacted me saying that they have recieved the money and my form which was sent via post,I need the furthur information on the event, any idea what is going on and what I can do?

  (more…)

hi there,
I am a new student in Innis college. After the first year, I want to study pathobiology specialist program but also want to study a major in pharmacology. Is it possible for me to study both pathobiology and pharmacology and graduate with Hon.B.Sc degree

Thanks for your help

(more…)

ok, so from what i’ve heard, UC sounds like the best college (by best, i mean not religious, stuck-up, or too weird) and i’m kind of regretting my choice of Woodworth – it seems to lack character. i know it’s a little late now, but can anyone convince me that i made the right decision, or am i just going to have to make lots of friends at UC so i have an excuse for spending all my time there?
thanks a lot.

(more…)

who’s playing the frosh concert?
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=DTXZFt7uRXA[/youtube]

(more…)

Hi! I’m newly admitted student and received an invitation for the conference My Definition, do you think it’s worth visiting? Thanks (more…)

For the Innis Frosh Week it asks you for your T-Shirt size. Is this dependant
upon gender (girls will get smaller sizes) or is it one T-Shirt for both (girls
should get smaller sizes than they normally would)? Thanks!

(more…)