Orientation

FALL 2025 ORIENTATION WEEK

The Society of Graduate Students is proud to present its Fall 2025 Term Graduate Student Orientation Week schedule of events! These events run Monday, September 22nd to Sunday, September 28th.

⚠️ ALL SOGS MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE!

💰 REGISTRANTS and TICKET HOLDERS will be entered to win 1 of 4 SOGS O-Week Swag Bags (includes: SOGS zip-up hoodie, Grad Club mug, SOGS Pride patch, stickers, StudentVIP stress squish, Student Vip travel cutlery set, $10 Grad Club gift certificate) valued at $100 each. 

ALL WEEK

CAMPUS SELFIE TREASURE HUNT

September 22nd – 28th | Western University – various locations

Get to know your Western University landscape and new grad life by participating in this selfie treasure hunt. Explore campus, snap selfies at iconic spots, and win grad-friendly prizes! 

HOW TO PLAY:

    1. Go around to various hot spots on campus and take a selfie at that location to prove you were there.
    2. Submit your photos via our online form, and post your selfie on Instagram (or other social site) + tag the official accounts (@westernsogs, @westernustudentexperience  if you’d like.
    3. Do as many locations as you can! The more selfies you complete, the better your chances of winning more goodies! 

PRIZE PACKS:

    • Big Prize Pack (x3) includes a StudentVIP large stainless steel water canteen, Grad Club mug filled with candy, StudentVIP stress squish, $25 Grad Club gift certificate
    • Mini Prize Pack (x6) includes a Grad Club mug filled with candy, StudentVIP stress squish, and a $15 Grad Club gift certificate

MORE INFO TBA!

This event is funded by SOGS and Western University’s Student Experience.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

BOARD GAMES & NACHOS

5:00 -7:00 PM | The Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19)

New to WesternU? Returning for another year of #gradschool? Want to make new social connections?

Join our Orientation & Social Committee for another instalment of BOARD GAME NIGHT!  We have over 60 board games, so there’s something for everyone

🍽️ Complimentary nachos for attendees to share. Limited quantities of food, so first come, first served.

 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

GRAD LIFE RESOURCE FAIR

9:00 – 11:30 AM | Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19)

Want to learn more about the supports for graduate students offered by SOGS, the University, PSAC 610, and more? Want to learn about all the ways to connect in grad school and engage your community?

Join the SOGS Health Plan Committee for another GRAD LIFE RESOURCE FAIR  at the Grad Club. Attendees will meet a variety of campus stakeholders, including StudentVIP, Student Experience, PSAC 610, Office of the Ombudsperson, Indigenous Initiatives, Western International, SOGS Commissions, SOGS Committees, and more!

🍽️ Grab a FREE BREAKFAST at the fair. Coffee, tea, muffins, and croissants will be served. First-come, first served.

ASK ME ANYTHING: GRAD SCHOOL EDITION

2:00-3:00 PM | Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19) stage

Join the SOGS Graduate Peer Support Committee for a ASK ME ANYTHING: GRAD LIFE EDITION and hear from upper year graduate students and a professor as they answer your burning questions about grad life and school. Grad school is tough, but so are you! 
 
❓ Submit your questions to the speakers in-person or via the above linked form.

 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

GRAD LIFE BBQ

5:00 – 7:00 PM | Grad Club patio (Middlesex College, Room 19) | $10

 
Join our Orientation and Social Committee for a fun evening of eating a BBQ dinner on the Grad Club patio while playing competitive CORN HOLE and GIANT JENGA! 
 
Get to know the grad students and the student committee that plans many of our social events, and learn more about how to get involved at SOGS. 🥰
 
🎟 $10 TICKET INCLUDES:
  • 🍔 Beef or veggie burger or hot dog (beef)
  • 🍟 Fries
  • 🥤 Can or pop or bottled water
  • 🥗 Garden salad
  • ⭐️ Teams will play CORN HOLE and GIANT JENGA
  • 🏆 Winning teams will earn GC drink tickets (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) or GC gift cards ($5).

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

INDIGENOUS GRADUATE STUDENT LUNCH

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19)

Join Indigenous Initiatives and the Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Education (SAGE) Coordinator for a luncheon where Indigenous students can connect with each other, supports, and resources. This event is funded by Indigenous Initiatives.

⚠️ This event is only for First Nations, Métis or Inuit graduate students.

GRAD LIFE TRIVIA

7:00 – 10:00 PM | The Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19)

Join our Committee Chairs for a fun night of trivia related to all things SOGS, #gradlife, and academia!

CASH PRIZES (Grad Club gift certificates) for winning teams! Bring your friends, lab mates, peers, and colleagues. All are welcome to attend.

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

INTERNATIONAL VOLLEYBALL

4:00-6:00 PM | Saugeen Hall Volley Ball Pit

Join the SOGS International Commission for a fun afternoon of outdoor beach volleyball! Get some sun, make new friends, and play volleyball. 
 
 
BON FIRE NIGHT

8:00 PM – 12 AM  | Grad Club patio (Middlesex College, Room 19)

Join us for a #GradLifeWesternU tradition — BON FIRE NIGHT at the Grad Club! 

Ticket includes: Entrance to bon fire, s’mores packs (vegan and halal options available!) and beef hot dogs, karaoke (indoors). Bring your partners and spouses!

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

HOCO & PUB GRUB

1:00 – 4:00 PM | Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19)

Join us for the live stream of the Western Mustang’s Homecoming football game at the Grad Club! Come for the game, stay for the food and vibes.

🍽️ FREE pub grub snacks (pub grub and hot dogs) 

⚠️ FREE FOOD IS LIMITED. First come, first served

🙏 Food is generously paid for by Western University
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 This is a FAMILY-FRIENDLY event! The Western University community is welcome to come to the Grad Club to engage in HOCO festivities without the logistical challenges of attending the stadium. Children are welcome to attend.

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

APPLE PICKING TRIP

11:00 AM – 3 PM | Apple Land Station | $30 for SOGS members | Family-friendly

Join us on our bus trip to pick apples and enjoy farm fun vibes at Apple Land Station.

Ticket includes: bus to and from Apple Land Station, entrance to to U-Pick apple orchard and a 10-LB bag to pick apples; entrance into the Fun Farm, which includes: zip-line (up to 150 LBS), corn maze, sun flower field*, farm animals, and more!

*Note: The sun flowers might be done by this time, but we’re hoping the field still has blooms.

 
Tickets:
  • MEMBERS (GRADUATE STUDENTS): $30  (Includes bus to and from Apple Land, entrance into the Fun Farm, and a 10 LB bag for pick-your-own apples)
  • FAMILIES attending with SOGS members: + $20 per Non-Member person or $12 per SOGS member partner/spouse (⚠️ Family will share one 10 LB bag of U-Pick apples)  

Questions about SOGS Orientation Week? Email the SOGS Communications and Promotions Manager (sogs.communications@uwo.ca).

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