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More than five hundred admitted students and their supporters visited the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ yesterday for Math Ready Day. The event featured panel discussions with current students and staff, campus tours, a mock lecture and opportunities to connect early with various campus services.

The purpose of Math Ready Day is to prepare new students for their first year before they arrive on campus in the fall. “Beginning university can be intimidating!” said Mark Giesbrecht, dean of the Faculty of Math, in his welcome. “The good news is that by showing up to Math Ready Day you’re already preparing yourself for success.”

Some students arrived with specific concerns or inquiries: friends Hetpi and Sandy wanted to get a closer look at the dorms and “and pick up our WatCards!”

Math Ready Day made it easy for them to do so, with time set aside in Needles Hall to help students get WatCards, connect with AccessAbility services, and take care of any other administrative questions. Dozens of students also took advantage of the tours of Village 1 and UW Place conducted by Campus Housing that afternoon.

Diana (a new admit to Honors Mathematics) and Andrew (a new admit to Honors Computer Science) came to Math Ready Day with their friend Joshua. Joshua missed the Engineering-focused programming on the previous day, but decided to tag along for the duo’s main mission: “trying to meet new people and make some friends.”

While many students showed up alone or in friend groups, others were accompanied by equally nervous and enthusiastic supporters.

Karthik, a new double degree student, was visiting campus from Milton with his father, Selva. “I just want to learn what the environment looks like, and how it is going to be supportive for the new undergrad students,” Selva said.

Some visitors came from much farther afield: Padma and her son traveled over 1,500 km from Arkansas in the United States! They saw the trip as a chance both to visit Padma’s home country of Canada and to answer logistical questions about finances and healthcare. “I’m finding it all really useful,” Padma said, “to learn what he can expect: some more practical, and some more atmospheric.”

Math Ready Day is only one step in preparing for the first year of university. To learn more about other in-person and virtual events leading up to Fall Term, visit the ��ݮ��Ƶ Ready website. You can learn more about Orientation Week, which takes place this year from September 2 to 9, on the orientation website.