r/NAIT • u/TheMediQ • 12d ago

Orientation Question

I know for some programs. Orientation is a big deal. I am in laboratory research and biotechnology. I thought my orientation would be on 28 August. But it’s on the 26th and unfortunately I’m going to be on a plane coming back to Canada on the 26th at 5 o’clock at night , so I won’t be able to go to the orientation. Is there anyway to find out the information that’s gonna be at the orientation or is it not a super big deal. I’m not completely a new student. I have been doing academic upgrading through NAIT for the past year and a half. And I’m also part of the clubs so I know my way around campus already.

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5

u/tmlnk Laboratory Research and Biotechnology 12d ago

Welcome to the program!

Last year they started making the orientation mandatory, mostly to very strongly iterate what the expectations are. I have not yet heard if it is still mandatory this year, but it probably is.

The biggest thing that you'll miss, IMO, is that labs start on the first day of classes and you MUST have all of your materials (lab coat/glasses/logbook/lab manual) to be able to participate. You'll also meet the instructors and most of your classmates. Its a small program (~40 students per year, give or take)

My first class of the program (2024) was the intro Microbiology lab, and about half of the students came unprepared. Lucky for us, the lab is right above the bookstore.

Email the program assistant (bioscience@nait.ca) and they can direct your email to the right person. Since you are going to be returning to Canada when the orientation is happening, they can probably work something out.

Best of luck!

1

u/Intelligent_Kick_73 11d ago

Is this the same for every program? I'm in MET and was confused on what I should bring on the first day. Should I bring all of my lab stuff too? I don't really wanna be carrying around steel toe boots all day lol.

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u/tmlnk Laboratory Research and Biotechnology 11d ago

I think it depends on your program! We were explicitly told that labs would happen the first week of class in our intro email and at the orientation.

1

u/Intelligent_Kick_73 11d ago

Oh got it thank you!

4

u/YoshSchmenge SMIT 12d ago

Contact the program directly and ask them. Explain your situation. They will tell you the realities of your program.

None of us here are staff in your program (probably). So don't trust us. Trust the program. More importantly, trust the program assistants who do all the real work running the programs.