Suitcases, nerves and excitement: UCalgary students move into campus residence

Moving away from home and into residence is a big step for many first-year students, and more than 1,200 made the transition at the University of Calgary this weekend.

Suitcases and boxes in hand, first-year engineering student Kalyn Hutchinson arrived from Kamloops with her family. Like many moving in, it’s her first time living away from home.

“It’s really kind of nerve wrecking but like, I think it’s mostly just excitement right now,” she said.

For the new UCalgary student, it’s a day filled with goodbyes, new roommates, and the excitement of starting university life.

“I’m really excited to meet new people, I think that’s like my biggest thing right now just because it’s also orientation week and stuff,” Hutchinson said. “But I’m excited to like use the facilities on campus, and stuff, just like living here I think it’s going to be really cool.”

UCalgary residence students have access to campus dining halls and study spaces.

University staff say the meal plan is key to helping first-years adjust to student life.

 “All our first-year students, we don’t have kitchen facilities in the buildings, so they’re on a meal plan,” explained Shane Royal, senior director for ancillary services. “So, we have a central dining centre, where they pay an annual amount, and they get access to the meal plan and they can enter as many times as they want through the year.”

Orientation week activities are designed to help students navigate campus, build friendships, and prepare for the year ahead, something Hutchinson is really looking forward to.

“We’re probably going to go walk around and look for our classes together,” she said. “Definitely want to get that out of the way before classes start.”

Classes at UCalgary begin on Sept. 2.