Langara students share how they built their circle from day one

You show up at Langara with a backpack, a class schedule, and a quiet question in your head. What happens after I walk onto campus? At snəw̓eyəɬ leləm Langara College, the answer isn’t just “attend your classes.” It’s Student Life: the places, people, and supports that help you settle in, find your people, and build a real sense of belonging from day one.

The first few weeks: busy, but not lonely

For many new students, the beginning feels like a mix of excitement and pressure. That’s why Student Life meets you early, so you’re introduced to peers and discover supports you’ll actually use. When classes begin, back-to-school events and drop-in opportunities keep the momentum going, making it easier to say “yes,” even if you’re still figuring things out.

As an international student, Student Life gave me opportunities to connect and slowly make the campus feel like a place where I belong and feel at home.
– Semie Graces Francisco, second-year student and VOLT volunteer

Clubs, VOLT, and Campus Recreation: A door for every student

Student Life isn’t one thing. It’s multiple ways to plug in, depending on what kind of person you are.

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Chemistry student Victoria Parks didn’t plan to join anything at first. But while studying, she saw people playing board games and asked to join. “They were so welcoming. A few hours later, I was officially a member of the Langara All About Games Club.” For her, the hardest part wasn’t finding opportunities, it was making the first approach: “The first step to approach was definitely the hardest, and took quite a bit of psyching up, but it was so worth it.”

Victoria sums up what students gain by showing up and building a support network: “Post-secondary is hard! But it’s a whole lot easier when you have people who care about you and want to see you succeed.”

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Then there’s VOLT, Langara’s volunteering program. Student Life manager Xandi Capistrano says, “Volunteering is a relatively low-stakes way to learn both hard and soft skills.” She has seen students build confidence through networking and recognition, because Student Life is where opportunities meet real people.

Some of the opportunities Student Life supports:

• Student Clubs help you meet people fast, whether you’re looking for fun, community, or shared interests.  
• VOLT Volunteer Program is about giving back, connection, and a low-stakes way to build skills and confidence with others who care.
• Campus Recreation and Langara Falcons bring the energy of teams and friendly competition. Prospective athletes and supporters are encouraged to check out the Falcons’ Instagram.

The takeaway? Getting involved at Langara is easy to start and hard to outgrow. There’s a door for every kind of student: club member, volunteer, athlete, teammate, or community participant.

The Langara Students’ Union (LSU)

When you’re new, support shouldn’t feel like extra work. That’s where the Langara Students’ Union stands out. There are two services that students should know about early:  

• U-Pass BC: Using transit from day one matters when you’re learning campus life and building routines. Upload your September pass by September 15, or you may miss part of the month.
• Health and medical plans: Getting to campus and handling wellness reduces pressure. Opt-out and dependent enrolment deadlines happen in early September.

Build skills and belonging that last

Student Life isn’t an add-on to academics. It’s where friendships form, confidence grows, and skills develop. Club involvement builds leadership and planning skills; campus activities build teamwork. It’s here to help you make the most out of your school year.

Wondering what to do first? 

Check out Student Life and be sure to stop by back-to-school events during the first couple weeks of the school year.