Updated as of 1:51 p.m. on Aug. 22 to include video.
As freshmen move into their dorms in Colonnades Neighborhood at Elon University, many are experiencing a range of different feelings. With plenty of energy during the morning, families are navigating their way around the neighborhood for the first time.
McKinzie Alexander, a freshman from Maryland, said she’s especially looking forward to meeting new people in her building.
“I’m definitely excited about meeting my new roommate, and also just my resources for helping me out with everything,” Alexander said.
To adjust to college, Alexander said she plans to use her parents’ advice of being open to new things.
“They gave me the same advice going into high school, and I had a great experience,” Alexander said. “I’m gonna take it and use it here as well.”
Anna Horstmann, a freshmen from North Carolina, will be one of many freshmen spending their first year in a Living Learning Community. As part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Math LLC, Horstmann said she looks forward to meeting everyone on her floor.
“I plan on just seeing my roommate, my RA and just getting a vibe of how the floor is,” Horstmann said.
Students aren’t the only people experiencing various emotions. Parents such as Julie Kent from North Carolina said it meant a lot seeing student volunteers helping out in the parking lot cheer as she arrived with her daughter, Rylin.
“It’s great with everybody cheering,” Kent said. “It’s so good for her to have a good place to find her people and be happy.”
Diego Ruiz, a freshman from North Carolina, said he aims to form new friendships right away.
“I want to try and make as many new friends as possible,” Ruiz said. “I think that’s gonna ease some of the tension of moving into a new environment.”