We can't wait to see you!
Are you as excited as we are? While you count down the days to your arrival at StFX, here's some info to help make everything as smooth and seamless as possible.
When to arrive
All students living in residence will receive an email (in their StFX student account) with their personalized arrival date and time. Confirm your move-in arrival time via the link in the email. If you have concerns with your assigned time, please email our university housing team at @email.
Students who prefer a lower-sensory move-in experience or who have significant concerns about the transition to residence can register for Relaxed Start, which takes place on August 28th, one day prior to the main move-in period. To register for Relaxed Start, please use this form: Relaxed Start Registration 2026-2027 – Fill out form.
How to get here
Welcome Day is a very busy day on campus. If you are travelling by car, please arrive at the West Street entrance and proceed down Convocation Blvd. to check in at the Keating Centre. Parking is available in the lot directly beside the Keating Centre, with overflow parking available in other signed campus lots.
Driving Directions
Charles V. Keating Centre
1100 Convocation Blvd, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
Driving Directions from Halifax, NS
- Travel east from the Halifax airport (towards Truro, New Glasgow and/or Cape Breton) on Trans Canada Highway 104 - Antigonish is approximately a two-hour drive from Halifax
- Turn off at Exit 32 (Eastern Shore) to Antigonish
- Follow signs towards Antigonish. At the first roundabout, take the 4th exit. At the second roundabout, take the 1st exit. At the third roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto West Street.
- At the traffic lights, turn right and the Amelia Saputo Centre is straight ahead; the Charles V. Keating Centre is on your right.
Driving Directions from New Brunswick
- Travel on Highway NB-2 toward to Sackville, NB and Nova Scotia
- Merge onto Highway NS 104 into Nova Scotia (Antigonish is an approximate two hour drive from the NB border)
- Continue along Highway 104, follow signage towards Truro then New Glasgow and Antigonish
- Turn off at Exit 32 (Eastern Shore) to Antigonish
- Follow signs towards Antigonish. At the first roundabout, take the 4th exit. At the second roundabout, take the 1st exit. At the third roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto West Street.
- At the traffic lights, turn right and the Amelia Saputo Centre is straight ahead; the Charles V. Keating Centre is on your right.
Driving Directions from Cape Breton, NS
- Follow highway to Port Hawkesbury and the Canso Causeway
- Follow the causeway onto Highway 104 towards Antigonish - approximate half-hour drive from the causeway
- Turn off at Exit 32 (Eastern Shore) to Antigonish
- Follow signs towards Antigonish. At the first roundabout, take the 1st exit. At the second roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto West Street.
- At the traffic lights, turn right and the Amelia Saputo Centre is straight ahead; the Charles V. Keating Centre is on your right.
What to do when you arrive
When you arrive on campus, please follow the signs to a designated parking location. Your first stop is the Charles V. Keating Centre to sign in and, if you're living in residence, pick up your keys. We recommend using our campus map to help get where you need to be. And don't worry: there will be volunteers on hand to help direct you, too!
Move-In Day Schedule
International Student Orientation / Relaxed Start and Community Connections
Residence Move-In Day 1 / Residence Move-In Day 2
To view the full Welcome Week and X-Fest Schedule, click here.
| Event | Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
International Student Orientation - August 28 | |||
| Breakfast and Registration | 9am - 10am | Morrison Hall | Get the day started strong with breakfast and a chance to meet fellow new international students, student leaders, and StFX President and Vice-Chancellor Andy Hakin and Mrs. Linda Hakin. |
| Remarks on Mi'kma'ki | 10am - 10:30am | A formal welcome to Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw, with Indigenous Student Advisor, Cynthia Sewell. | |
| International Student Orientation | 10:45am - 12pm | Barrick Auditorium | This session will cover essential information such as on- and offcampus resources, how to use your health insurance, working in Canada, and much more. |
| Lunch | 12pm - 1pm | Morrison Hall | |
| Amazing Race StFX | 1pm - 3pm | Barrick Auditorium | Meet back at the Barrick Auditorium in Mulroney Centre for some more fun activities and to participate in the Amazing Race StFX. |
| International Student Orientation | 3pm - 5:45pm | The second half of orientation will build off of the morning session. | |
Relaxed Start and Community Connections - August 28 | |||
| Residence Check-in | 12pm - 4pm | Keating Centre | Students who registered for Relaxed Start or Community Connections may check in at the Keating Centre between 12:00pm and 4:00pm. At the check-in, you will receive your Student ID card (if you have submitted a photo in advance), your access to residence, and meet some of the Human Rights and Equity Advisors. |
| Community Connections | 3pm - 5pm | Various Locations | Community Connections welcomes incoming Indigenous, Black, International and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ students. The goal of this event is to foster community building within these student groups before Welcome Day and Orientation activities. |
| Community Connections Dinner | 5:30pm - 8pm | MacKay Room, Bloomfield Centre | Join us for a special dinner to continue the connection and a chance to win some prizes! |
Cameron, FX, MSB, and Riley Hall - August 29 | |||
| Residence Check-in | 8am - 4pm | Keating Centre | Check-in begins with meeting the President, Dr. Andy Hakin and Mrs. Linda Hakin. Afterwards, you will confirm your arrival with the Registrar’s office, pick up your Student ID, confirm you are registered with X-ACT, check in with Housing, and visit a few other important on-campus supports. Once you have checked in, you can make payments or inquiries about your Student Account and chat with the Financial Aid Office, purchase a parking pass, if needed, and pick up your X-Fest kit. |
| Residence Orientation | Your Community Advisor (CA) will tell you about what is happening in your building and across campus. See below for your time and location: MSB: 6pm, MSB 225 | ||
Bishops, MacIsaac, MacKinnon, and Off-Campus - August 30 | |||
| Residence Check-in | 8am - 4pm | Keating Centre | Check-in begins with meeting the President, Dr. Andy Hakin and Mrs. Linda Hakin. Afterwards, you will confirm your arrival with the Registrar’s office, pick up your Student ID, confirm you are registered with X-ACT, check in with Housing, and visit a few other important on-campus supports. Once you have checked in, you can make payments or inquiries about your Student Account and chat with the Financial Aid Office, purchase a parking pass, if needed, and pick up your X-Fest kit. |
| Brunch | 11:30am - 1:30pm | Morrison Hall | Students from Cameron, FX , MSB, and Riley Hall can head over to Morrison Hall for brunch. |
| Off-Campus Community Meeting | 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Flag Plaza, Bloomfield | Off-campus students meet with the student leaders who will guide you during the weekend’s activities. From there, we will head as a group up to Wellspring, which will be the central hub and meeting space just for off-campus students throughout the weekend! |
| Welcome BBQ | 5:30pm - 7pm | Memorial Field | A Huge BBQ will be served outside for everyone; your residence leadership team will direct you after your community meeting. |
| X Photo & PUMP | 7pm - 10pm | StFX Stadium | PUMP (People Up Meeting People) is your chance to break the ice, make new friends, and kick off your university experience with a burst of energy! Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy event packed with fun activities, great conversations, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow new students. Come ready to laugh, mingle, and meet the people who could become your best friends, study buddies, and teammates for the year ahead! |
Moving Into Residence
After you've checked in at the Charles V. Keating Centre and picked up your residence keys, you can proceed to your residence building and start moving in! Vehicles will temporarily be permitted outside of residence buildings for the purposes of unloading. There will be volunteers on hand to help you bring your things inside, too.
Need a reminder of what to bring and what to leave at home? We have you covered! Check out our recommended packing list.
Key Contacts
Financial Aid Office
For assistance in financing your education
@email
(902) 867-2374 / 2301
Registrar's Office
For questions about registration, adding/dropping courses, and more
@email
(902) 867-2160
Student Services
For supports and services available to StFX students
@email
(902) 867-3934
University Housing
For questions or information about living in Residence
@email
(902) 867-5106
