Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With the 2025-26 school year right around the corner, Wednesday was move-in day for the incoming class of freshmen at SUNY Buffalo State.
A number of students near-and-far are excited about the idea of meeting new people, and hopefully bonding and making new friends.
"Lots of new people, and it's just a completely different environment. Being from a very, very small town, this is totally different," said Abby Bizzozero from Weedsport, just outside of Syracuse.
"It's definitely really different. I've never done anything like this before, but I'm excited to start a new chapter," added Isabelle Cole from Palmyra, outside of Rochester.
For Yadhira Panzo from Massachusetts, attending SUNY Buffalo State is her chance to get a bit more out of her comfort zone.
"It's obviously different being home than being here. I get more excitement when I'm actually here on campus and seeing new people and meeting new people. So it's a good, different feeling," Panzo said with WBEN.
While Wednesday was a special day for incoming freshmen at Buffalo State, it was a bag of mixed emotions for some parents helping their kids move into dorm rooms on campus.
"I'm so proud of her. But at the same time, as a mom, as a parent, you get worried about it. How she's gonna do the next four years, the people that she's gonna meet. I was a little bit worried before, but after the orientation, I was a little bit relieved, because I met the people of the campus, and the way the leadership is. I am more at peace right now," said Elizabeth Panzo, Yadhira's mother.
For some parents, this is the first experience of them moving their kids into a dorm room and sending them away for college.
"A little sad she's going to be a little far away, but she has family in town here, so I'm excited that she's going to try and start new things. And I think she'll be her best," said Amy Bizzozero, Abby's mother.
Meanwhile, other parents like Chirstine Cole, Isabelle's mom, are seasoned veterans when it comes to sending their kids away to college. Despite that, she says it is never easy saying goodbye for a while.
"This is the hardest day, the drop off, and then they just find so much to do and find a whole new group of family and friends on their campus. Today is just the emotional day. After that, they just bloom," Cole said.
Classes at SUNY Buffalo State officially begin on Monday.