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Drone footage of Recflix and Chill at the Wellness and Fitness Center pool

Fomo No More

Mark your calendars for these can't miss Carolina Welcome events

Posted on: August 13, 2024; Updated on: August 13, 2024
By USC Social Team

Welcome to Carolina! We've been waiting for you.

As the home of the nation's best first-year student experience among public universities, you better believe that we pull out all the stops when we welcome Gamecocks back to campus each fall. This year is no exception. From First Night Carolina to watching a movie in the outdoor pool at RecFlix N Chill, to USC Night at the Columbia Fireflies, get out your calendars and make plans to make the most of your Carolina Welcome Experience.

First Night Carolina 

đź“Ť    The Horseshoe and Greene Street
⏰     7 p.m.
đź“…     Monday, Aug. 19

Picture this: You're on the Horseshoe Sandstorming for the first time as a student with 7,000 new friends at Cocky's Call. Your next stop is Greene Street for a huge block party. The night ends with a fireworks show shot from the top of Russell House. Life is good.

Pro tip: Don't party too hard! First Night Carolina always takes place the night before the first day of classes.

  • A group of eight students smiling on the Horseshoe at First Night Carolina.
  • Two boys watching fireworks.
  • A group of girls swinging rally towels and smiling at First Night Carolina.
  • A DJ in front of a crowd of people on Greene Street

 

  • RecFlix N' Chill

    đź“Ť    Wellness and Fitness Center pool
    ⏰    6-11 p.m.
    đź“…    Thursday, Aug. 22

    RecFlix N' Chill kicks off Gamecock Entertainment's Thursday After Dark (TAD) series. Enjoy free snacks and treats and, this year, watch The Fall Guy while floating in the pool at the Wellness and Fitness Center. Many TAD events are at venues off-campus and transportation is provided. TAD events include free mini-golf, skate nights, axe throwing, goat yoga (not to be confused with doing yoga with the G.O.A.T. Dawn Staley) and more.

    TAD Events

  • Two girls smiling while swimming on a flamingo float in the Strom pool.
  • Marshmallow being roasted over a fire pit.
  • Woman teaching Zumba outside.
  • two girls in gamecock shirts laying on pool loungers
  • Person getting a dino chicken nugget from a buffet.

AAAS cookout

đź“Ť     Greene Street   
⏰     5-8 p.m.   
đź“…     Friday, Aug. 23

Every fall, the Association of African American Students (AAAS) starts off the school year with a block party and cookout open to all students. Join AAAS to learn more about the student organization and celebrate a new school year with food, fun and music by DJ El Doggin. Make sure to be on the lookout for our NPHC organizations, also known as the Divine 9, as they will be strolling throughout the event. These historically African American fraternities and sororities represent unity through synchronized movements that are specific to their organization, known as a stroll. You don’t want to miss this awesome experience of culture going down right outside Russell House on Greene Street.

  • A group of six girls smiling in front of a car on Greene Street
  • Two girls smiling and eating outside.
  • A group of young men strolling on Greene Street
  • Two men wearing sunglasses with whistles outside.

 

  • Girl signing up for a student organization.

  • Student Org Fair

    đź“Ť     Greene Street and Davis Field  
    đź“…     Wednesday, Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. 
    đź“…     Thursday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  

    The No. 1 piece of advice we get from our alums to incoming Gamecocks is to get involved, and the student org fairs that take place throughout the semester are the best opportunity to find your fit. Search the over 600 student organizations on campus, by logging in to directory on Garnet Gate. There's a student organization for everyone. Don't bee-lieve us? Check out orgs like the Bee Keeping Club where you can get up close and personal with our honey-making friends.

    Garnet Gate

 

Football season kickoff 

đź“Ť  Greene Street   |   ⏰  12-2 p.m.  Carolina Kickoff   |   đź“…  Friday, Aug. 30

Before the football season kicks off, they’ll need the ultimate hype man — you. Attend a pep rally the day before the first game to get you pumped for kickoff. Enjoy appearances from Cocky, the cheer team and the Carolina Band.

Pro tip: Sign up for the Cockpit Rewards app to see which events help you earn reward points, to track your points and to complete the student ticketing process for all Gamecock sporting events.

  • A group of students smiling at a USC football game pointing and smiling.
  • USC mascot, Cocky, with gloves on that form the Block C athletics logo.
  • Two football players in position for a play.

 

  • A man holding a small child smiling with Cocky at Segra Park.

  • Night at the Fireflies

    đź“Ť Segra Park   |   âŹ°   6 p.m. gates open   |   đź“…  Thursday, Sept. 5

    New to Columbia and want to know what “glowing garnet” really means? On Sept. 5, students can make their way to Segra Park for a Gamecock takeover of the Fireflies’ stadium. If munching on hot dogs and Dippin’ Dots while cheering on your local minor league team sounds like the perfect summer night to you, we’ve got you covered. This night at the ballpark is free for students with a valid Carolina Card, and complimentary shuttles are available from the Horseshoe throughout the event. Faculty and staff, if you're reading this thinking this sounds fun, you're invited too.

    P.S. The first 750 students get a commemorative rally towel.

  • Segra Park
  • Two girls at USC Night at the Fireflies smiling and doing a spurs up.

USC events

Whew. We're really just scratching the surface in this roundup. To keep your calendar up-to-date with all of the best ways to make the most of your time on campus, bookmark the USC Calendar and follow Gamecock Entertainment and UofSCStudents.

While you're bookmarking pages, don't forget to save the Student Gateway, which includes links and resources that will help you throughout your time at USC.

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