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Start Now Event: BHCC Orientation Step 1

New and Current Students - Get help with Applying, Course Registration, Completing the FAFSA, Student Payment and More!

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About the Start Now Events

Start Now sessions for the Spring 2026 semester are open. During each start now session, students will attend two mandatory workshops:

  • Financially Empowered Workshop - Students learn about resources to pay for college including free community college programs MassEducate and MassReconnect. (45 minutes)
  • Advising Workshop - Students learn how to plan and register for their courses. (2 hours)

Currently enrolled BHCC students are welcome and should sign up to attend a Drop-in Advising Session and get help with course registration.

Mandatory Placement Testing 

Students must complete their math and English placement testing requirement BEFORE they attend a Start Now session. Schedule your placement test. You will not be able to register for classes at Start Now unless you have completed your English and math placement testing requirement first.

If you have questions about placement testing, send an email to testing@bhcc.edu or call 617-228-2377.

Other Resources

During the Start Now Sessions, all enrollment offices will be open and available for students to complete the following tasks:

  • Apply for admission and drop off documentation (transcripts, etc.)
  • Speak to Admissions staff for help choosing your academic pathway
  • Apply for financial aid and get your billing and tuition payment questions answered
  • Get help completing your math and English placement testing requirements
  • Meet with an advisor to plan and register for classes

Register for Start Now BHCC

If you are a new student admitted to a Selective Program such as Nursing, Medical Imaging, Medical Assistant and other Health or STEM programs, please see your BHCC Acceptance Letter for directions on how to complete your orientation process. You DO NOT need to register for a Start Now Session. View a list of Selective Programs. To access your acceptance letter, please log into the application portal

View the session dates in the dropdowns below. Events will be open for registration two weeks in advance of the date and will remain open until filled. Once a session is full it will no longer show in the calendar. Students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Start Now - On Campus/In-Person Sessions (Open to All Students)

Event Date & Time Location Link
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Monday, December 8
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Monday, December 8
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Wednesday, December 10
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Wednesday, December 10
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Thursday, December 11
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Thursday, December 11
3 - 7 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session
Saturday, December 13
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Monday, December 15
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Monday, December 15
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session
Tuesday, December 16
3 - 7 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session
Wednesday, December 17
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Thursday, December 18
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Thursday, December 18
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Monday, December 22
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Monday, December 22
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Monday, January 5
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Monday, January 5
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session
Tuesday, January 6
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Wednesday, January 7
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Wednesday, January 7
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Chelsea Session
Saturday, January 10
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Monday, January 12
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Monday, January 12
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Evening Session
Tuesday, January 13
3 - 7 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Wednesday, January 14
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Wednesday, January 14
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Thursday, January 15
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Thursday, January 15
12:30 - 5 p.m.
B-Lobby, Charlestown Campus Register

Start Now - International Student Sessions

If you are an International/F1 Visa seeking student, information about international student sessions will be sent to the email you used to apply to BHCC. If you did not receive an email about your session, please send an email to international@bhcc.edu.

Start Now - Virtual Sessions (Open to All Students)

Event Date & Time Location Link
Start Now Virtual Session
Friday, December 5
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Tuesday, December 9
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Friday, December 12
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Saturday, December 13
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Tuesday, December 16
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Friday, December 19
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Tuesday, January 6
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Friday, January 9
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Saturday, January 10
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Online Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Friday, January 16
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Online Register

Session Schedules

Start Now Morning Schedule

Arrival Time: 8 a.m.

8 a.m. | Student Check-In
When you arrive, you’ll check in and make sure you’ve completed all your enrollment steps. You’ll also confirm that you can log into your BHCC email and Self-Service account. (You can find the full list of enrollment requirements on the New Student Checklist.

Financially Empowered Workshop
Learn how to pay for college! This session will walk you through different types of financial aid including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity and show you how to apply for aid through FAFSA.

Advising & Registration Workshop
Meet one-on-one with an academic advisor who will help you choose and register for your first semester of classes.

12:30 p.m. | Students Depart

Session II Begins

Arrival Time: 12:30pm

12:30 p.m. | Student Check In
When you arrive, you’ll check in and make sure you’ve completed all your enrollment steps. You’ll also confirm that you can log into your BHCC email and Self-Service account. (You can find the full list of enrollment requirements on the New Student Checklist.

Financially Empowered Workshop
Learn how to pay for college! This session will walk you through different types of financial aid including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity and show you how to apply for aid through FAFSA.

Advising & Registration Workshop
Meet one-on-one with an academic advisor who will help you choose and register for your first semester of classes.

5 p.m.  Students Depart Campus

Start Now Evening Schedule

Arrival Time: 3 p.m.

3 p.m. | Student Check In
When you arrive, you’ll check in and make sure you’ve completed all your enrollment steps. You’ll also confirm that you can log into your BHCC email and Self-Service account. (You can find the full list of enrollment requirements on the New Student Checklist.

Financially Empowered Workshop
Learn how to pay for college! This session will walk you through different types of financial aid including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity and show you how to apply for aid through FAFSA.

Advising & Registration Workshop
Meet one-on-one with an academic advisor who will help you choose and register for your first semester of classes.

7:30 p.m. Students Depart Campus

Start Now Saturday Schedule

Session I Begins

Arrival Time: 8 a.m.

8 a.m. | Student Check In
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 8 a.m.-1 p.m.​

Financially Empowered Workshop ​
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

Advising and Registration Group Session-I​
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses.​

12 p.m. Students Depart Campus

Session II Begins

Arrival Time: 10 a.m.

10 a.m. | Student Check In
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 8 a.m.-1 p.m.​

Financially Empowered Workshop
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

Advising and Registration Workshop
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses.

2 p.m.  Students Depart Campus

Please log into your virtual session 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. Login instructions will be emailed to the address you used to register for the session. If you have difficulty logging into your session or did not receive the login information, please send an email to advising@bhcc.edu.