Orientation Week is designed to ease the transition from high school to university by helping students feel comfortable and prepared for the challenges ahead. It helps students familiarize themselves with the campus, feel prepared for class, meet new people, and gain new resources.

Every year the events look different, but we have some staple events. In morning programming, you have Academic Day where you meet your program department, learn the tips and tricks from upper year Sophs, learn how to navigate OWL Brightspace, and more!

For evening programming you have iconic events like the Huron House Cup, where students compete against other residence floors and Off-Campus students compete to win the grand prize. There is also the highly anticipated Silent Disco where you can bust a move. No matter what your interests are, if its arts and crafts or carnival games, there is an event for you.

No! However, we encourage you to come to as many events as you want and to step out of you comfort zone to meet new people and create new memories.

All of them! Throughout OWeek, students will be introduced to many resources, Huron and Western offer through presentations, events, and resource fairs.

But if you miss an event or have specific questions, don't fret! Sophs are there to be a resource connector and will help you connect with whatever resources you need, from academic advising to bus routes!

There is a two-step application process. The first step is a written application, which typically opens at the beginning of the Winter Semester. The next step is an interview process which typically happens in late February to early March! Our process ensures every applicant is given an equitable and consistent opportunity to be a part of our team!

Sophing is a full-year commitment, meaning you are always there as a resource connector and a representative of Huron. However, the biggest commitment is NWeek and OWeek. NWeek takes place a week prior to OWeek, where Sophs participate in all-day training sessions with the goal of equipping them with all the necessary skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate a safe and successful OWeek.

OWeek is where Sophs get to facilitate orientation programming and step into their roles as guiding hands for the incoming first-year class all throughout their first week of university, establishing bonds that last during the year!

Not usually! Although sophing is a full year commitment, the time commitment is heaviest during the last week in August (Nweek Training) and the first week in September (Oweek). While sophing may interfere with extra curricular activities that begin prior to the school year, it should not have any major impact on extracurricular activities that run during the academic year. Remember, if you are passionate about being a soph and continuing with extra curricular activities, reach out to anyone on the current soph team – they can help you decide whether sophing is right for you!

Nope! OWeek is implemented keeping the student in mind, and that applies to the role of a Soph as well! Most orientation programming takes place before classes start. On those days that classes do start, programming is after most class hours, with a Soph’s placements for the day being scheduled in consideration of their specific classes. Our approach to balancing the Soph/student life remains: “Person First, Student Second, Soph Third”