Prepare for Orientation Day at Fanshawe College

Reading Time

5 minutes

Published

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Last Updated

October 3, 2024

Things you need to know about the start of the Winter 2025 semester

Fanshawe’s orientation day is just around the corner on Monday, January 6, 2025*! The first day of classes is Tuesday, January 7, 2025*, and you will follow your Tuesday class schedule.

If you are a returning student entering level 2 or above, the first thing to do is log in to FanshaweOnline (FOL) and check if you have a message from your program coordinator indicating you have a program orientation. After that, review your schedule to see where you need to be on Tuesday, January 7 when classes start.

If you are a first-year student entering level 1 of your program, this blog will help you prepare for your first few days at Fanshawe.

*Some apprenticeship programs and other programs may have different start dates and have contacted students directly. Collaborative Nursing (BScN) begins on January 10.

Plan Your Orientation Day

Bring your ID with you (personal ID and/or FANCard)
Bring something to take notes with (your phone or a pen and paper)
Download the Fanshawe Stay Safe App
Check out the Fanshawe Campus map online or on the Fanshawe Stay Safe App and get a sense of where you will need to go
Familiarize yourself with schedules ahead of time so you can make use of the resources and orientation sessions that are most relevant to you, including your program orientation and fun and informative student orientation events

Plan your transit!

Allow time for transit delays and plan your parking and transportation; check out our commuting and parking blog for info on all campuses!

If you're taking public transit
- London Transit buses pick up and drop off at the B/T Entrance and F building.
- Middlesex County Connect buses pick up and drop off at A building.
If you're driving
- Drive slowly and carefully as there will be lots of pedestrians and other traffic
- London Campus: Parking is available in lots 5 and 8 for $5.25 per entry on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitor meter parking is $3/hour up to a maximum of $12
- London Downtown Campus: Please park in one of the municipal lots; parking fees vary.
- London South Campus & Regional Campuses: Parking is available and free at these locations.

Campus reminders

The Campus Energy Centre is being built at the northwest end of campus and construction may cause some delays or detours.
Fanshawe campuses are non-smoking, which includes e-cigarettes; please proceed to locations outside of the campus if you wish to smoke.
To log in to Fanshawe College WiFi you will need your student username and password (that you use for WebAdvisor and FanshaweOnline) - if you can’t log in you'll need to reset your password.

Things to do on Orientation Day

Attend your program orientation
Attend student orientation events for fun and informative sessions and activities
Pick up your FANCard, course materials and some maybe even some Fanshawe swag
Visit your academic school office if you have questions about your program
If you plan to use services like Counselling and Accessibility Services or Employment and Student Entrepreneurial Services (which you definitely should!), give yourself time to check them out at the Student Services Fair
Explore campus, find your classrooms and discover all the great places to eat

Tip: Look for people in red shirts if you get lost or need help!

Fanshawe employee hands students a map at orientation

Excitement is a common feeling during orientation, but so are nerves and anxiety. Do your best to participate and try new things, but if it is too much, we are here for you. Know that no matter what you are feeling, you are not alone. If you do find yourself feeling overwhelmed:

Enjoy a quiet space or fun low-pressure activities in the Library Learning Commons (F1066)
Find students who felt the same things not long ago by visiting our student-led Here For You Student Service Hub