In Photos: Sheridan students get a HeadStart at Fall New Student Orientation

To kick off the Fall 2025 term, Sheridan welcomed more than 3,000 new students to its campuses in Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville during a five-day New Student Orientation in August.

First year students attended program sessions where they had the opportunity to meet their peers and professors, with several programs offering tours of lab and learning spaces. During its program sessions, Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing and Practical Nursing students received a walk-through of their digital textbook conducted by its publisher, Elsevier. The Magna School of Skills Trades collaborated with industry partners to host a welcome event where attendees were served a sweet treat from an ice cream truck. Meanwhile, Honours Bachelor of Interaction Design students had an extended orientation that included a guest speaker panel discussion.

New this year was HeadStart Days — a day-long event designed to provide new students with extra support as they begin their college journey. Students took part in small-group workshops that walked them through essentials such as setting up Sheridan accounts, logging in, managing life outside the classroom, knowing where to ask for help and more.

The slower-paced and more intimate environment offered by HeadStart Days provided the optimal space for students returning to school after a long break, those who are neurodivergent or anyone who needed additional support.

“One of the best parts of New Student Orientation was seeing students who met at HeadStart reunite with each other on their orientation day,” shared Janessa Williamson, First-Year Experience Program Coordinator. “It was great to see students begin to make friends as they begin their college journey.”

See key moments from New Student Orientation below:

From packing swag bags with goodies, to greeting students as they arrived or guiding them around campus, New Student Orientation activities were made possible through the many contributions of the nearly 70 dedicated student volunteers.

“The First-Year Experience Team is grateful to have a community of students who are always looking for a way to give back,” said Williamson.

For those looking to familiarize themselves with campus, Sheridan’s Student Recruitment and Student Ambassadors were available throughout the week for 30-minute guided tours, offering tips on how to navigate campus and find study rooms, student services and the best food spots.

The Supports and Services Fair featured nearly 40 vendors for students to explore, including Brampton Transit, Oakville Transit and MiWay, offering attendees a chance to learn about their transit options. The Sheridan Student Union (SSU), Mission Zero, Sheridan Works and Financial Aid and Awards are among the many student services also present at the fair.

Sheridan’s new Campus Store was stocked with textbooks and supplies. Students who received their personalized book list could share this information with Campus Store staff and receive their textbooks on the spot.

With music and a host of carnival games, the SSU brought on the entertainment to get students excited for what’s to come in the years ahead.

In support of New Student Orientation, Sheridan’s First-Year Experience team raised $9,000 in sponsorships from Best Buy, BMO, CIBC, Freedom Mobile, Wow! Mobile Boutique and Ran Foods. These funds were used towards various orientation activities held throughout the week.

For students who missed orientation, explore upcoming events including Navigating Student Awards workshops, Bruno’s Lounge, Supports and Services Fair and more.

Learn more about scholarships, bursaries and awards at Sheridan, including the General Awards Application.

Need additional support? See a full list of supports, services and resources available for students, faculty and staff at Sheridan.