DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Cars packed full, personal belongings stacked high and the football team making everything seem so light. It’s the organized chaos of freshman move-in day.
“Really exciting, lots of stuff happening,” says incoming freshman Page Durkin with a laugh.
These St. Norbert College freshmen have been prepping for move-in day for weeks.
“A lot of online shopping, helping with my mom, a lot of Target runs, but yeah, it was all fun,” says Thomas Meyers, who’s coming to SNC from Kimberly.
Thursday morning was the first time these freshman got to see their new — albeit small — digs. It’s always easier to get settled into the dorm with a little help, too.
“Looking at other dorm rooms, seeing how other students are organizing their rooms, we picked up some good ideas. We’ll probably copy a couple of other rooms, to be honest,” says Meyers’ dad, Tim.
For students from near and far, move-in day is when reality sets in.
“I’m excited and nervous. Really excited to have a new fresh start and meet a bunch of new people, but I’m also really nervous for that because meeting people can sometimes be hard, especially in a new place,” says Durkin, who is from the Chicago suburbs.
“A little bit of jitters, but pretty pumped,” says Meyers. “I’m excited to get going. I’m playing basketball here so I’m pretty pumped to get going with the guys.”
“I’m feeling really excited. Excited to meet new people and just experience college and what it’s like to be away from home,” adds Allette Shanks from Kingsford, Michigan.
The 414-member class of 2028 represents 14 different states and five different countries.
St. Norbert staff say they’re here for them, and hope they find their second home while on campus.
“Everything is available to them. The resources are here if they just ask and extend a hand or a hug if they need some help. With us having the old Latin term of ‘Communio’ which is a Norbertine phrase of a deep, intrinsic value of family, we hope they experience it on day one,” Eric Wagner, the director of admission enrollment partnerships at St. Norbert.
For moms and dads, parents and guardians, the day is bittersweet.
“I’m excited. She’s my third one, third and last. It’s sad but I’m excited,” says Shanks’ mom, Joan.
“With our oldest daughter, it hit me when we were leaving. For him, probably the same thing,” says Tim Meyers. “It’s kind of like building up to a wedding. You’ve got to get everything ready and then it happens and it’s over so fast, and then you’re driving home and you’re like, ‘Wow, another one out of the house.'”
But these students are taking the leap.
“It’s a new adventure, a new chapter, and it can be scary for some people, exciting for some people, or both. I’m both,” Durkin adds.
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