AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Thousands of new and returning University of Texas at Austin students are moving into campus residence halls this weekend as they prepare for the start of the fall semester.<\/p>\n
For many students, the move marks the beginning of a new chapter \u2014 and, for some freshmen, their first time living away from home.<\/p>\n
Students began their move-in experience at Disch-Falk Field, where they checked in and picked up keys before heading to their new homes on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m definitely going to miss my family, but, you know, it\u2019s a new chapter in life, and I\u2019m excited to get that started,\u201d said Luke Nguyen, a student.<\/p>\n
POLL: Which school years would you relive: elementary, middle, high school or college?<\/a><\/p>\n UT Austin expects about 8,000 students to move into one of the university\u2019s 15 residence halls this weekend.<\/p>\n Students were greeted by university staff and volunteers as they arrived to begin the move-in process.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody here is very welcoming, and I really couldn\u2019t ask for a better move-in experience,\u201d said Logan Deville, a student.<\/p>\n Across campus, families carried storage bins, suitcases and boxes as they helped students get settled into their new rooms.<\/p>\n While excitement filled the Forty Acres, some students also faced the nerves that come with leaving home and starting college.<\/p>\n University officials said living on campus puts students at the center of the longhorn experience.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ability to interact with so many students and all the activities, and the life that is on campus, having those resources available to them can be such a great support,\u201d said Miguel Wasielewski, Vice President for Student Experience at the University of Texas at Austin.<\/p>\n ALSO | One dead after pedestrian hit by vehicle in SE Austin Thursday night<\/a><\/p>\n As students settle in, university officials are also encouraging them to think about safety.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve dedicated a tremendous amount of resources to having a very present police force and great lighting,,” said Wasielewski . \u201cDon\u2019t be on your phone when you\u2019re walking down a dark place. Try to go with a group of friends.\u201d<\/p>\n For many freshmen, moving into a residence hall is just the first step in beginning their college experience in Austin.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that this city and this campus offers so much for everybody, and I think that\u2019s what I\u2019m most excited for, the things that I can accomplish here,\u201d said Deville.<\/p>\n The weekend wraps up with \u201cGone to Texas,\u201d a formal kickoff<\/a> to the journey at UT Austin.<\/p>\n