A fresh start to the fall semester

Approaching the Syracuse University campus at 10 a.m. this morning, it seemed a bit too calm for the first day of the fall 2009 semester. Nearing the Schine Student Center, the bustle and excitement began to pick up.

The network of sidewalks outside of Schine was crawling with students making their way to and from class, texting on their cell phones, waving to familiar faces across the grass, and catching up with old friends. Two, three, four, five girls in a row drinking Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee exited Schine, taking advantage of the warm weather while they still could.

The first day of school is a tale of old. Whether they are first-years attending their premier college class or upperclassman returning to a habitual routine, most students look a little nicer than usual. Unlike during midterms and finals when kids look like they just rolled out of bed, the beginning of the school year can be marked with new outfits and the latest fall fashions. Making a good first impression with professors and other students is always something to keep in mind.

In the food court at Schine, nervous students carefully copied down their multi-colored schedule of classes into their orange ‘CUSE planners. The standard greeting, “What’s goin’ on man?” echoed around the room as guys saluted their buddies with a crossbreed between a high-five and a handshake.

Freshmen are quickly recognized, due to their uneasy composure, their Syracuse lanyards, and the shuffling through of orientation papers. There are 3,260 new undergraduate students milling around on campus, beginning their new lives here at SU. An SU press release said that this incoming class represents the University’s most economically and socially diverse group ever. 

In a week or two, students will fall into their groove of classes and activities, but for now, the first day back is filled with signs of nerves, excitement and determination.

A new semester begins yet again.

More Photos: Flip through the first day of classes at SU by Andrew Burton and A.J. Chavar on Flickr.