Exploring First Year at PCE

Hey friends, My name is Rutuja Kadam! I am a 3rd Year Information Technology Student from Mahatma Education Society’s Pillai College of Engineering.

Let me be your tour guide as I take you through my experience as a first-year student at Pillai College of Engineering (PCE) back when Covid-19 did not exist and wearing masks were just meant for doctors.

Exploring your new college campus is like an adventure and at Pillai’s Panvel, my excitement and curiosity as a First-year student wasn’t as different. Like every First-Year student who comes to the doorstep of Pillai’s, I had to know how my college experience is going to shape up in the coming few years of my life.

And little did I know, I was in for a wonderful ride!

1. Welcome my dears, to Pillai College of Engineering
   As I entered through the main gates, I saw a spacious pathway adjoining playgrounds with a lush green carpet surrounded by coconut trees and palm trees, welcoming me towards the main office of PCE.I figured I would visit the office now and then during my time in Pillai’s, for all official reasons, of course! Being nervous as I was a newcomer, the office staff with their friendly aura made me feel right at home. I had my queries answered smoothly and swiftly, and the transition from the gates of Pillai’s to my classroom happened smoothly, without hitting any bumpy rides along the way.And Hey! Even if you have a bumpy ride, fret not, cause we at Pillai’s will help you no matter what- After all, we believe that helping you towards your goals will help us grow as well!
2. The Classrooms and The Canteen
   Finding my classroom took a while, as it was unfamiliar territory. It felt like a maze! I put on my exploring cap as I went by and within a few moments; I was reading a multitude of signs! There are so many labs, rooms, and sections here! Eventually, I found my classroom with the help of a few polite seniors.As I entered my classroom on the Fourth floor, I was in awe of the view outside my window. The photographer in me couldn’t resist taking out my phone cam to capture the breathtaking scenery of the Panvel skyline. The Classroom was spacious and equipped with e-learning technologies.Catching up with my friends from other departments in the College Canteen became my new favorite routine, which I always looked forward to. It was jam-packed with people from all over the campus during lunch hours, buzzing with life and chatter.My first day started with a sense of excitement, as our teachers welcomed us as a part of the PCE family and also gave us an overview of our curriculum. It was unforgettable. To new friends and new beginnings, Pillai’s did it in the warmest and the most welcoming way.
3. The Labs and Workshops
   I was curious about how I will prepare myself for industry-level teaching and learning at Pillai’s; I was in for a pleasant surprise!From a day-long event that was called “Maker’s day”, we were free to pay a visit to any lab irrespective of our branch. I went to several labs equipped with the latest technologies in Mechanical, Comp- Science & IT, Electronics, Automobile, Telecom branches of Engineering.This is something that thrilled me beyond my expectations. There is a Drone Innovation Lab – yes, students can learn to operate drones! Makers studio has fabrication equipment like 3D Printers, laser cutting machines which the students can experience and use for their projects. Isn’t that so cool?Component Library lends various components like sensors, motors, IoT devices, Arduino boards, etc, which gives us a lot of exposure to experiment with various types of equipment – choose the best for your project without having to worry about the expenses skyrocketing. Simply convenient!
4. Co-curricular Events and Sports for First-Year students
   Studying all the time in the classroom gets pretty boring really fast for many of us, don’t you agree? College Workshops and Events were like a refreshing breather to me and a welcome change from the usual routine.In my first year at Pillai’s, a fascinating array of events and workshops, both technical and non-technical, were conducted throughout, which helped me engage in co-curricular activities of my interest and added to my knowledge and experience. Cultural days like Traditional day, Tie-Day, Denim day, was a first for me, and I didn’t shy away from joining in the fun!!I also came to know about the various student committees like CSI, IEEE, ETSA, which helped me explore new things beyond my classroom, pushing me out of my comfort zone.Sports Lovers unite on the Playgrounds, Gymkhana, and Badminton courts. And it came as a surprise to me that there’s an Olympic Level Rifle Shooting Range at Pillai’s!! You wouldn’t want to miss that!
5. Alegria -The Festival of Joy!!
   The month of February gets abuzz with whole new energy in Pillai’s – undoubtedly the thrill of Alegria was in the air! It would be an understatement to say that I was looking forward to Alegria with growing anticipation. The fervor with which they conducted Alegria blew me away. EDM Nights to Stellar Performances, the enthusiasm was contagious!!And to think that the students themselves managed all of this?? Pillai’s Alegria gave a new meaning to unleashing your creativity and talent. It was enchanting, and before I could even grasp the grandeur, I realized I wanted to be a part of this amazing festival.An incredible first year at PCE widened my horizons, opened my mind to the endless possibilities that stood before me, and gave me the confidence to try, teaching me how to take that first leap to fly towards my dreams.