Student Affairs - Orillia Campus

(OR) GO-VAXX Bus

Looking for some extra protection against COVID-19 this school year? The province’s GO-VAXX mobile vaccine bus will be rolling into campus this January.

The GO-VAXX bus will be set up on campus from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, administering the bi-valent vaccine. Students, faculty, staff, and community members will be able to receive a first, second, third or fourth dose of the vaccine. No appointment is required.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of the GO-VAXX bus to receive their vaccine is reminded to:


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Six simple tips to keep you safe this winter

As the snow starts to fall and temperatures dip below freezing, we’d like to share a few tips to help keep you safe this season:

  1. Walk on the plowed sidewalks. Don’t cut across the green space or over snow banks as you could potentially fall and be injured. The field between Rotary Place and the University isn’t monitored and should you get into trouble the Security team would not be aware.
  2. Make sure your vehicle is free of snow and ice before you leave home or the University parking lot. Clean off all windows, defrost your windows, and clean your head and tail lights.
  3. As the snow covers the parking lot the parking lines may be harder to judge. Please be respectful of other drivers’ parking spots.
  4. It’s a good idea to keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle should you become stranded. Here are some recommended items:
    1. ice scraper/snow brush
    2. shovel
    3. sand or traction aid (kitty litter works well)
    4. booster cables
    5. first aid kit
    6. extra clothing
    7. blanket
    8. non-perishable energy foods – example: chocolate or granola bars, bottled water
    9. candle and a small tin can
    10. matches
  5. Check weather and travel conditions before heading out. Don’t take chances if the weather is bad. Reports on winter road conditions are available at www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/conditions/index.shtml
  6. Take advantage of our 24/7 Safe Walk program. Drop by the Security office and one of our guards will happily walk you to your vehicle, to the Residence building, or the bus stop.

A reminder that class or exam cancellations will be shared through our Lakehead Mobile Safety App, and our local radio stations. To stay informed, please ensure you have access to those resources. You may also check www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus/our-campus/weather for the latest updates.

Remember, prevention is ALWAYS better than recovery.

If you have any security or parking-related questions please don't hesitate to drop by and speak to us.

Hand scraping ice from car window

SMART Goal Setting for the New Year

We are starting to count down the days until exams and school are over for the year, 2023 is quickly approaching and the New Year resolution ideas are flooding in. We need to make sure that we are setting attainable and realistic goals for ourselves. Setting goals for yourself with no specific aim, that are unrealistic, or are too vague can be detrimental to your overall mental and physical health. Not reaching your predicted goals can cause a sense of failure, creating high self-criticism, de-motivation, low self-esteem, poor sense of self, negative thinking, and codependency. One or more of these issues can cause depression and anxiety in oneself to rise and potentially become harmful and irreparable. However, there is a way to set goals that can be attenable and achievable while being proactive and keeping your mental and physical health in mind, using the SMART method. The SMART method allows you to plan and organize your considerations and ambitions in an organized and well thought out manner, pushing for success in reaching your personal goals.

SMART goal setting:

Specific

A specific goal should answer these five questions:

  • What exactly do I want to achieve?
  • Why – specific reasons, purpose, or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
  • Who is involved?
  • Where – identify a location.
  • Which restrictions or limits are important to consider?

Measurable

A measurable goal will answer:

  • How much or how many?
  • How will I know when it is accomplished?

Achievable

An achievable goal will answer the question:

  • How can this goal be accomplished?

Relevant

A relevant goal will answer yes to these questions:

  • Does this seem worthwhile?
  • Is this the right time?
  • Does this match our other efforts/needs?

Time-bound

Goals includes target dates. A time-bound goal will help to answer:

  • When must I be finished?
  • What can I do six months from now?
  • What can I do six weeks from now?
  • What can I do today?

 

Once you have finalized your SMART goals, the next phase that many goal-setters fall short of is to plan the next steps you need to take and how to put them into action. Think of what resources you need, what activities do you need to complete to achieve your goal, and who can help you achieve your goal. Having a supportive friend and/or family network to help you stay on track can be very beneficial to you the people around you. Remember that failure is a part of the process and paves the way for success as it allows for the opportunity to learn and grow from it. As Michael Jordan said:

 

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And this is why I succeed”

 

Read Here for more information on a How-To guide for SMART goal setting.

Share your Lakehead experience in your hometown!

The Undergraduate Recruitment team is looking for current students to share stories about their Lakehead experience back in their hometown high school as part of our Home for the Holidays initiative.

Current students can help other students who are facing important decisions about university. If you are returning home for the holidays, catch up with your high school guidance counsellor, favourite teachers, or even current high school students and let them know about all that Lakehead has to offer. To complement your visit, we'll give you a ‘Lakehead holiday pack’. By participating, you have the chance to win a $250 voucher for the bookstore or food services!

Sign up here to participate in Home for the Holidays: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeHVMSYOgrUJauJJNFPotwuh4oUHnRkct_d3PjSq2Uyv9Y1g/viewform

Please let us know by Thursday, Dec. 8, if you would like to take part in sharing your Lakehead experiences back at your hometown high school. Once we hear from you, we will follow up with more information and details to help you get ready.

Preparing for your exams

It's not too early to start preparing for your exams!

  1. Make sure you have a Lakehead University Student ID card. Students will not be permitted to write an examination and will be asked to leave the examination room until their Lakehead University Student ID is presented. Students will only be permitted back into the examination room, with their Lakehead University ID within the first hour of the allowed examination time. A new or replacement Student ID can be obtained from the Chancellor Paterson Library on the Thunder Bay campus and the Bookstore on the Orillia campus.
  2. Plan to arrive on time for your exam. Confirm the time and location of your final exams https://www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral/exams-grades.
  3. Review the Examination Regulations Course Calendar Lakehead University.

Best of luck as you prepare for your exams. If you have any questions about the location of your December Exams please contact Student Central at 807-343-8675 or at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca.

Winter Intramural Registration Now Open

Join fellow Thunderwolves in intramural volleyball or dodgeball this winter! Intramural sports offers the Lakehead community an opportunity to stay involved in the sports they love, or to try a new sport while they attend university.

All intramural sports are designed so that each student can have fun in a safe recreational setting. Registration is limited, so sign up today!

For more information and to register, visit orilliathunderwolves.ca.

Festivus for the rest of us

Dust off your ugly festive sweaters and come celebrate with us. Festivus is happening on Wednesday, Nov. 23!

Join us in the fun from 11 am to 3 pm in and around the Learning Commons and the Dining Hall. There is even a special Festivus themed breakfast and dinner menu planned.

Pick up your free Festivus ticket from the Student Central desk, kiosk, residence desk or dining hall and enter the raffle for some Festivus miracles.

You're invited to Festivus

GO-VAXX Bus Rolling into Campus

Looking to get your bi-valent COVID-19 vaccine before heading home after exams? The GO-VAXX bus will be rolling into campus once again before the end of the semester. This clinic is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. No appointments required.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 10
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Orillia Campus parking lot

Anyone wishing to take advantage of the GO-VAXX bus to receive their bi-valent vaccine is reminded to:

  • Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or your health card is expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, status card or birth certificate.
  • Eat and drink something before you arrive to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
  • Dress for the weather in case there is a lineup.
  • Wear clothing that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt.
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose, mouth and chin.
  • Do not visit the GO-VAXX bus if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
 
Male student lifting up shirt sleeve to reveal bandaid where vaccinated.

Keeping Active as the Cold Weather Approaches

It can be hard to stay motivated when it comes to getting physical activity, but it can be especially difficult when the weather gets cold. In the winter, there aren’t as many sports to play and a lot of us don’t want to go out for long walks. The below-zero temperatures are not only unpleasant, but they also mean putting on lots of extra clothing, including heavy coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. If someone is already feeling exhausted and unmotivated, all these extra layers can feel like a big chore to put on.

 

However, it’s incredibly important to keep getting exercise. Physical activity has been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, boost energy levels, strengthen muscles, and enhance cognitive performance. There are many great ways to keep fit while staying indoors and lots of online resources that can help you do this. For instance, you could try following YouTube tutorials for:

 

  • Yoga
  • Tai chi
  • Workout routines
  • Dance

 

Remember to go easy on yourself. The goal of getting exercise is not to compete with others and put yourself down. The goal is to keep your mind and body happy and healthy. It is also important to note that you do not have to do the exercises exactly like the people in the videos to reap the benefits. If you have trouble finding time to do these activities, or if they ever feel too daunting, there are many simple tasks you can do to get physical activity. Take short breaks (even a few minutes) from your schoolwork and try things like:

  • Stretching out your body
  • Walking down a flight of stairs and back up
  • Playing with a pet
  • Performing domestic tasks (e.g. cooking, sweeping, vacuuming, or laundry)

No matter how cold it is outside and no matter how busy life gets, it is important to find time to move your body. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Exercise is essential for your health and wellbeing.

Last Chance to Get Your Textbooks, Course Materials

The Orillia Campus Bookstore is returning unsold Fall textbooks to the publishers starting November 14. So, if there is a book you need, get it now because they can't guarantee stock after the 14th. Full year textbooks are NOT part of the return at this time.

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