It's orientation day for U of R's first-year students

Tuesday wasorientation day at University of Regina, where new students werebeing introduced to a world of big classes and a big campus.

The U of R is welcoming about 1,500 first-year students with an expo, faculty sessions and various social events.

The jump from high school to university can be daunting, so the idea is minimize the cultural shock and get things off on the right foot.

Arts student Taylor Balfour, 18, says entering university is a bit scary and the orientation is welcome.

"Orientation, especially, is getting to know people in your faculty which is a lot more comforting than just being thrown into it," Balfour said.

U of R president Vianne Timmons told the students there was no orientation when she began university.

She said her mother put her on a bus and told her not to talk to strangers when she got to school.

More "welcome back" events continue throughout the week, including a pancake breakfast on Wednesday.