BOULDER, Colo. — Cars filled with new, eager CU Boulder students packed into residential hall parking lots Tuesday as the incoming Buffs came prepared with all the essentials for the first year of college.
"Made sure to bring food," freshman Sam Allen said. "I’m a big snacker. Had to bring the golf clubs, fishing gear. Lots of outdoor activities."
Allen is set to major in biomedical engineering. He said when he's not in the books, he's looking forward to enjoying all college has to offer.
"Excited to move in, meet new people, see my friends," Allen said. If Allen gets homesick, he's a short, 40 miles from his home in Littleton.
The same can't be said for incoming student Chloe Curry. She, her sister and mom traveled from Huntsville, AL, for move-in week. "If I was gonna go out-of-state this is where I’d want to go and I just fell in love with the school," Curry said.
Curry is the first in her family to travel out of state for school. She said she had to be selective with what she packed.
"I really had to narrow it down," Curry said. "We did the home-to-home shipping thing here. And so I have just six giant boxes of just everything and then two suitcases of clothes and that was, that was it."
She said she's looking forward to meeting her roommates and making new friends. She hopes other freshmen feel as eager to try new things.
"Come in with an open mind," Curry said. "Just meet everyone. Everyone’s anxious, nervous, so I feel like you can really connect over that and make some really great friends. I’ve heard that this first week is the best week of college because everyone’s open to meeting everyone, just go do the things."
Another out-of-state student moving in Tuesday was Zayden Stenix. He flew in to Colorado from California. "I like the area, the scenery in general," Stenix said. "And I like the school. Just felt like the place to be."
CU Boulder said after the state of Colorado – California, Illinois and Texas are the top three states for first-year students attending this year.
Stenix is planning to study computer science. He said his most important essential was, naturally, his computer. He also packed up his rental car with other must-haves like bedding, toothbrushes and clothes.
"Been just kind of a little ready," Stenix said.
As excited as Stenix may be for the next chapter of his life, he knows he'll be taking on a newfound independence, leaving his parents in California. "It's gonna take a bit of time," Stenix said, looking at his dad. "I’m gonna miss him, but I’m gonna try and make as many trips home as I can."
CU Boulder said applications over the last year have increased by 20%.