The sun was shining bright on SJC Brooklyn Wednesday afternoon, as new and returning students started their first day of the fall semester.
For many, it was the first day back after a long stretch of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And for others, it was the very first day of their St. Joseph’s College journey.
Either way, the Office of Student Life helped students celebrate the start of the new semester with a special Welcome Back Carnival on the O’Connor Mall. It was a picnic-style event, where students could hang out, enjoy lunch, and play carnival games with friends.
Be sure to check out our photos below the story.
Christian Branch, assistant for campus events and technical services, said it was great to see students back on campus and socializing in person once again.
“I think every student who was on campus today at least stopped by,” said Branch, an organizer of the carnival. “It has been a mix of first-year students and upperclassmen. I heard a lot of happy screams from people who haven’t seen each other in almost two years.”
Enjoying the First Day of School at SJC Brooklyn
The carnival was a perfect outlet for first-year students to shed their first day of school jitters.
Christal Persaud, a nursing major, and Steven Damiani, a child study major, gathered with new friends at the carnival after attending their first classes of the semester.
“Today is going good,” Persaud said. “I was nervous at first, but my first day is actually going great.”
Jewel Sylvia and Canossa Victor, both nursing majors, said campus events — like the carnival — have been a great way to meet new people. They met last month when they moved into the St. George Residence as new roommates.
Victor, of New Mexico, said everyone in the College community has been helpful as she adjusts to her new home-away-from-home.
“Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming,” she said.
Sylvia, of Maine, agreed with her new friend, adding that she already loves living in Brooklyn.
“I chose St. Joe’s because I wanted to be close by my parents, but far away at the same time,” Sylvia said. “I wanted the responsibility of living on my own and the life experience, which I think I am getting already.”
Check out pictures from SJC Brooklyn’s first day of school:
