Palm Beach Atlantic University

First-year pharmacy students participate in team-building activities, such as a basketball shoot-out, in the Rubin Arena.

Seventy-six P1, or first-year, pharmacy students and 18 upperclassmen arrived on campus this week for four days of orientation. Classes for the Gregory School of Pharmacy officially start on Aug. 15.

On Wednesday, the incoming students took part in team-building exercises known as the P1 Challenge. This was the second year of the event, which involved a construction competition, three-legged race and basketball shoot-out.

For most of the orientation, the students are in classrooms, said pharmacy admissions counselor Carrie Gomez.

"We wanted to give them a chance to get out and meet each other and do team-building exercises because they’ll have to lean on each other for the next four years," she said. "Team bonding and unity are keys to success."

The participants said they welcomed the diversion. "It was a lot of fun because we got to know more people," said first-year student Cecile Bui of Orlando.

For student Edwine Zidor of Port St. Lucie, the competitions were relaxing. “You’re getting to know everyone in a different way,” she said.