First Year Orientation

Welcome to the UofT Physics Student Union's Orientation for Incoming Students!

Below are the detailed descriptions of each event! Sign up here.

Keynote (Monday, August 25th | 11:00 - 12:00 | MP102)

We begin our orientation on Monday, August 25th, with a brief Keynote presented by the PhySU execs. We will introduce the Physics Student Union, what we do, the events we run throughout the year and how you can get involved! We will also give a brief outline of the orientation events and answer any questions you may have (about orientation and beyond)!

Scavenger Hunt (Monday, August 25th | 12:00 - 14:00 | Bahen, McLennan and Astronomy & Astrophysics)

Get a chance to get to know the Physics and Astronomy Departments better by participating in the PhySU x AU scavenger hunt! The scavenger hunt will take place across McLennan Physical Laboratories, the Astronomy and Astrophysics building, and the Bahen Centre for Information Technology. Throughout this event, participants will get acquainted with these three buildings (which house many of the core physics classes) and learn a bit about their histories. To begin the scavenger hunt, participants will meet in the PhySU Lounge (MP217) at 12:00 pm. 

*MP Tour  (Tuesday, August 26th |11:00 - 14:00 | MP Lobby )

The McLennan Physical Laboratories are the heart of our department. Even if you are not a physics student, you are likely to spend quite a bit of time in the building taking classes, attending tutorials and hanging out in the PhySU lounge. MP also houses our social and academic events, along with various departmental events. This tour will get you acquainted with the key points of interest in the building (the Physics Library, PhySU Lounge, Observatory telescopes, good study spots etc.). Most importantly, you will get a chance to see some of the research labs and get advice from the numerous faculty in the department. 

Throughout this tour you will see exciting demos from upper year lab courses, real research labs, talks from professors about their research and experience, along with getting a feel for the building that will likely be your new home for the next four years. Note that the tour does NOT start at UofT time; we will be departing from the lobby in our groups at exactly 11:00 am, so we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early.

Boardgame Night (Tuesday, August 26th | 17:00 - 20:00 | MP110)

Come join us for a night of fun in the Grad Lounge (MP110), starting at 17:00. We will have a wide variety of boardgames to choose from, including catan, and many more. And of course, snacks will be available. 

For students who are thinking of joining our mentorship program, this is a great event to meet with upper year student mentors and get to know them on a more personal level!

Meet the Execs (Wednesday, August 27th | 10:30 - 12:00 | MP110)

Come join us in the grad lounge for an early brunch shared with executives from a variety of physics related clubs an student unions! We will have executives from PhySU, the Astronomy Union (AU) and the Association of Women in Mathematics (AWM), along with the physics outreach clubs PHI and Not Quite a Lecture (NQaL). 

Whether you're interested in getting more involved in the physics department, or you simply have questions about the social and academic life here at UofT, we're here to chat! 

(we WILL have cotton candy and AU's famous pancakes) 

Student Panel (Wednesday, August 27th | 12:00-13:30 | MP137)

Confused about the rules and requirements for your program? Conflicted about which math courses you should take? Interested in learning more about the courses available beyond their website descriptions? Or do you just want some common advice on the best places to eat and study? Then the PhySU Orientation Student Panel is just the event for you! Through this panel you will have a chance to ask for advice from students enrolled in a variety of physics programs on how to succeed at UofT and about their experiences studying physics here. Starting UofT time. Pizza and refreshments will be provided outside of MP137.

Exact list of panelists TBA. 

Movie Night (Wednesday, August 27th | 18:30 - 21:00 | MP217) 

Orientation week can be a lot to handle, constantly running around campus to catch as many events as you can and take in as much information about your new campus. Join us on August 27th at 6:30 p.m. in the PhySU Lounge (MP217) to unwind while watching a movie with friends. Voting for the movie starts on August 24th and ends on August 26th through our discord server. 

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Sale (Thursday, August 28th | 13:00 - 16:00 | St. George Street)

PhySU will be holding its famous annual liquid nitrogen ice cream sale on Thursday August 28th, just outside of MP! Watch as we use the power of cryophysics to create a rare treat sure to delight your taste buds. Join us for a uniquely delicious frozen dairy experience and an afternoon of fun liquid nitrogen demonstrations! Matcha, chocolate and vanilla flavors will be available.

Picnic (Friday August 29th | 15:30 - 17:30 | leave from front of MP, UC Quad) 

Meet in front of MP at 15:30. Together, we will walk over to the UC Quad to have a picnic and social. Enjoy a fun afternoon of socializing, picnic activities an games with us! Light snacks and drinks will be provided. 

Trivia Night (Friday, August 29th | 17:30 - 19:30 | MP102)

Think you know it all about physics, UofT, or any other sort of trivia? Or just looking to learn a few fun facts to impress your friends? Come down to MP110 for a trivia competition unlike anything you've seen before. Minds will be blown, questions will be posed and fun will be had. Note that at the beginning, participants will be split into teams, so bring along as many friends as you can. Snacks and drinks will be available!

*  - these events require a signup. All other events are walk in based.