New Students | START U of G
Welcome, Gryphon!
Congratulations on accepting your offer to the University of Guelph!
Whether you’re a domestic, international, or transfer student, the START Team is here to support your transition and set you up for success. We’ll help you navigate what to expect in your classes, keep you on top of important summer deadlines, and share opportunities to get involved in your new community. START U of G programming continues throughout your entire first year.
Once you receive your U of G email, you’ll start getting our weekly START U of G emails filled with important reminders and opportunities. You’ll also gain access to the START Guide, your go-to resource for preparing for the fall. It includes key dates, deadlines, info session details, and more. You can preview some of this information below.
Weekly Emails
Starting in June, be sure to check your U of G email every Monday for important information on what to expect in classes, summer deadlines, and opportunities for getting involved in your new community.
By monitoring weekly, you'll always know what's coming up and how to ensure you're prepared for your first semester. For additional reminders, be sure to follow @UofGStudentExp on Instagram!
Sessions & Tours
Join us for virtual events in the summer where we cover every topic about beginning at university: academics, course enrolment, wellness, finances, and more!
You can also book an in-person 'day in the life' campus tour where you'll get to explore our beautiful campus, learn about resources, and discover the best spots to grab a bite or study between classes.
Orientation Week
Orientation Week is a weeklong series of events to welcome you to U of G and help you get adjusted to being on campus! Taking place at the beginning of September, there are hundreds of events run by student clubs and departments across campus.
Additional specialized programs include START International, START Indigenous, and START Accessible.
New Student Communities
At U of G we know how vital family and friend support can be during the transition to university. Check out our Family and Supporters Guide for more information and resources.
Gryphons Nest is an online community where the new incoming class can connect with each other, learn more about resources and events, and ask questions! There are specific channels for LGBTQ2IA+ students, Black and racialized students, Transfer students, and Off-Campus Students. You will automatically be added in July.
International students are encouraged to review our pre-arrival guide in addition to START resources. You are also added to an international student Microsoft Teams group and can connect with the Global Pre-Arrival Support (GPS) Team for additional support.
If you are living off-campus, you are welcome to join the off-campus student community. We host events and socials to provide ways to meet other off-campus students. More information can be found on the Off-Campus Living page.
If you will be living in Residence, you are part of a community in residence. This is led by upper-year students and professional staff (Residence Life Staff) in Student Housing Services. You’ll receive both one-to-one and group support from Residence Life Staff on meeting other students, academic success, wellness, and be connected to fun events.
If you are a transfer student, you are welcome to join the transfer student community. We host events, workshops, and programs for you specifically as a transfer student that are also a chance to meet fellow transfer students. Learn more about transfer student programming.
Contact Us
The START U of G team is here to support all new students at the University of Guelph. If you have a quick question or prefer to connect by email, complete the form below or email us at start@uoguelph.ca. We’ll get back to you quickly!