Hallie Keisler remembers how nervous she was before she went to PC’s new student orientation two years ago. It took her only a couple of days, though, for PC to feel like her “new home.”

“I had made friends who made me feel like I had known them for years,” Keisler said.

“When I walked around campus, there was a comfort like it was where I was supposed to be.”

Transitioning from High School to College

Keisler is a rising junior at PC and will be an orientation leader this year. Because of the pandemic, new student orientation will be held virtually. Weekly 30-minute chats will begin on June 22 and last until July 17. These chats give students a unique way to connect with their fellow classmates.

While students won’t be on campus, Keisler says the newest Blue Hose will be able to transition to PC before they arrive on campus in August.

“PC is built on community and relationships,” Keisler said. “The campus is great, but what makes PC so wonderful is the people.

“New students will still be able to meet fellow students and learn about parts of PC during virtual orientation while comfortable and safe at home.”

Learning to be a Blue Hose

New students will also virtually meet fellow students and learn about PC by logging on to a platform called the Blue Hose Hub. It launches June 17.

One day, students can log in and become more familiar with the academic program.

Another day, they can watch a video about the different ways of getting involved on campus.

Just as they’d do on campus, new students will become more familiar with:

• Academics
• Athletics
• Resources to help students inside and outside the classroom, such as:
  • Advising and course planning
  • Career and professional development
  • The library
  • Residence halls and living on campus
  • Springs Fitness Center
  • Tutoring services
  • Writing Center

During orientation, new students will also become familiar with the precautions the College is taking regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Out of an abundance of caution, PC is following guidelines established by the CDC and other healthcare organizations to keep everyone on campus safe.

“We are here to help in any way possible”

New students will be grouped with 10 to 15 other new students during orientation. Each week, they’ll use the Blue Hose Hub to meet with their group members and their orientation leader. They’ll discuss what they learned about campus and ask any questions they might have.

“I do believe that the virtual format will allow students to have more confidence when reaching out or asking questions,” said rising junior Kennedy Wright, of Greenville, S.C. “Online orientation will be a lot less intimidating to our new students.

“I think it is important to let new students know that we have their back, and we are here to help in any way possible.”

Learn More

Visit New Student Orientation and follow @pc_involvement on instagram for more details, including how to register, a checklist of forms to submit and other requirements, and a weekly schedule.