In photos: U of T kicks off fall term with move-in days, a clubs fair and first-day fun

The University of Toronto’s three campuses are buzzing with energy as a new academic year gets underway.

In the week leading up to the first day of classes on Sept. 2, students marked the start of the fall term with residence move-ins, orientation activities, a tri-campus cheer off and the annual clubs fair.

“Back to School is in full swing across U of T’s three campuses,” U of T President Melanie Woodin said in a video message last week. “To all our new and returning students: Welcome!”

Here’s how photographers across the three campuses captured the action:

“Welcome to U of T” signs greeted students as they made their way around the U of T Mississauga campus ahead of the fall term.

It was a day full of feelings for Kiana Al-Agha, whose parents helped her move into her residence after making the drive from Aurora, Ont.

“We’ve been listening to music on the way here. I’ve been trying to lighten the mood, but we’ve all just been super emotional,” said Al-Agha, who is studying humanities in the Faculty of Arts & Science and is looking forward to meeting new people. “I’m grateful they’re here with me.”

With luggage in tow, a U of T Scarborough student takes a first peek at her dorm room in the Harmony Commons residence.

Move-in day is often a family affair. Volunteers and family members help roll students’ belongings into residence at U of T Mississauga.

Lakshay Gupta, who will study  life sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science, holds a portrait of his family, which he plans to hang in his residence room. His parents – along with his younger sister who was setting up his room – drove from New Jersey to be with him on move-in day.  

Welcome to U of T Scarborough! Students were greeted with open arms – and even a little dancing – as they moved into their new homes-away-from-homes. 

Moving into residence is equal parts exciting and hard work. Skylar Henry hoists her belongings into her new unit at U of T Mississauga.

It was a long drive from Wilmington, Del., to Toronto for Lilith Holden, who plans to study international relations and Slavic studies in the department of Slavic and east European languages and cultures.

“I decided to come to U of T both because it has great academics and it offers a lot more Slavic languages than I can get at a university in the States,” said Holden, who was joined by her parents. “The campus is beautiful, and the international community here is also really strong.”

The weather was less than ideal during the annual clubs fair on the St. George campus, but the rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm beneath the umbrellas, tents and ponchos.

Students didn’t let rain drown out the fun at the tri-campus cheer-off event on the St. George campus either.

A masked representative from the U of T Kendo Club turns heads at the clubs fair. With more than 1,000 student clubs and organizations across all three campuses, there’s something for everyone at U of T. 

One last phone check as students make their way to class on U of T’s St. George campus on Sept. 2, the first day of the fall term.