The streets are packed, lines in the UC run for miles, and the bookstore is utter mayhem. The fall semester has begun.
Students and faculty spent Wednesday in a rush across campus to find their classrooms and settle in. Since most classes on the first day are for syllabus review, finding a good route to class is usually the biggest challenge.
This endeavor is more challenging for some than for others. The Class of 2016 set out for their first classes this morning. UT’s sprawling campus can seem initially daunting. Students were out early, hoping to avoid unforeseen complications.
“So far, so good,” Jessica White, freshmen with an interest in psychology, said. “My first class was at 9:05 am, and now I’m just trying to find Estabrook.”
Navigating campus can be tricky enough on its own, and thousands of students rushing around at the same time complicates things.
“The first day has been awesome, but it’s been very crowded,” Kristen Dobbins, freshmen with an interest in political science, said. “The UC was really full, and it took like thirty minutes in line to get lunch.”
Returning students had both positive and negative feedback about their first day of classes. Comments ranged from excitement over the new buildings on campus to concerns about the ongoing construction projects.
“I have a class in the Min Kao building and it looks really nice,” McClain Reynolds, sophomore in computer science, said. “It seems like these construction projects are taking forever, though. That makes it difficult to get to my classes on the ‘Hill.'”
Though classes started today, many freshmen have already begun familiarizing themselves with campus by enjoying the Welcome Week programming.
“I’ve gone to most of the events,” Dobbins said. “My favorite was the Night in Neyland.”
Other program offerings focused on the intellectual side of college life.
“I went to the Life of the Mind speech,” White said. “I really enjoyed it.”
Returning students were surprised by some unexpected improvements.
“The Strip looks like it has been really cleaned up,” Reynolds said.
Welcome Week events will end on Aug. 24, as students become immersed in their daily routines.
