Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Thousands of college Freshmen and first-year transfer students arrived at campuses on the grounds of the University at Buffalo on Thursday to move into their dorm rooms, their new "home away from home" during the upcoming school year. It officially marked Day 1 of on-campus life for the year.
One could feel the excitement in the air as the students checked-in and started to load their clothes and essentials on the provided dollies, but it also came with some nerves.
"I'm pretty excited, yeah, I'm a little bit nervous as well, but I think that'll go away as I move in and stuff," said Rob Armstrong from Rochester, an exercise science major that will go into UB's physical therapy program.
"I'm not nervous [for him]," said Rob's mother, Jessica. "You know, it's always hard letting your kids go. I'm very excited for him and everything, but I know he'll be amazing and wonderful. I'm just a little sad to you know, know that he just had his last sleep at home, and he has like, one foot out the door, but he belongs to the world and himself now."
Rob won't be alone, he has a bigger brother also attending UB and he just got a chance to bond with his new roommates before move-in day.
"We went golfing together, they're cool," said Armstrong.
While some students and parents admit a bit of nerves, a few were more forthcoming with the new school, first day jitters.
"I think I'm more nervous than my parents are," said Bella Montanye, a Biology major who to UB from Endwell near Binghamton.
"It's a long drive if I have to kill a spider or something, it's sad she's gonna be so far away, but I'm excited for her, she's going to do great," said Bella's father, Nick Montanye.
But, like Armstrong, Bella is excited to make new friends and explore Western New York.
It wasn't an overtly hot and humid day that Thursday, perfect move-in weather, according to UB's Associate Director of Housing Services James Zielinski, he hopes the weather continues the rest of the week and this weekend when the other dorming students move in.
"We just really wanted to be a great first impression of UB and of Western New York," said Zielinski. "We want them to have a great, safe and efficient experience. But we also want them to really be excited about their first foray into the University at Buffalo."
According to Zielinski, University at Buffalo's North and South Campuses typically house about 7,000 students in the dormitories, which include on-campus student housing. And new this year, Fargo Hall renovations are nearing completion.
"Fargo, part of the Ellicott complex, has a great new entry area known as The Landing, and it is just being completed right now, but we had enough of it done where we were able to reopen the actual residence hall that's attached to it."
