Students look forward to start of new semester

With a new school year comes new beginnings.

West Virginia University students flocked to campus Monday as they traveled to their first classes of the new school year, reconnected with old friends and for some, began their college careers.

"It’s pretty great to be back at school, seeing old friends, and just being on campus again," said sophomore public relations student Kayci O’Neil. "It’s so busy everywhere today, but I’ve missed being here."

Fashion design and merchandising sophomore Daniel Brown said he was eager to be back on campus furthering his education.

"I’m really most excited about going more in depth in my classes. Not just covering the basics, but starting to do actual design work," Brown said. "It’s really great to be back in town and to be starting up my classes."

Nearly 5,200 freshmen, the University’s largest incoming freshmen class, began their college careers Monday.

Freshman education student Erin McMahon said she was excited to leave high school and begin her transition to college.

"It’s so different than high school here already," she said. "I have so much more independence; I can’t pick one thing I’m excited about – so far I love everything."

Along with the beginning of the new school year, many students are looking forward to the start of WVU’s inaugural season in the Big 12 conference.

"I am excited to see people I haven’t seen all summer, to go to FallFest, living off campus in an apartment, but mostly I’m excited for football season and the Big 12," said sophomore public relations student Chris Timenez.

Timenez said he believes being a part of the new athletic conference will allow the University’s athletic program to prove itself to the nation.

"I’m stoked for football season. It’s going to be a good test for WVU to show everyone that we can compete against bigger schools," he said. "A lot of people have looked down on us, so I think this will be a great way to put WVU to the test and see what we can do. I can’t wait; it’s going to be such a good year."