Students returned to classrooms Aug. 17 as Northwestern State University began the fall semester with first-day activities across the Natchitoches campus.
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University students returned to classrooms Monday, Aug. 17, as the university began the fall semester with classes and activities across the Natchitoches campus.
Students made their way across the Natchitoches campus Monday morning as they found classrooms, met professors and classmates and settled into their fall schedules. First-day activities were also held throughout campus to help students navigate the start of the semester and connect with university resources and organizations.
For first-year students, the day marked the beginning of their first college semester. Jade Barfield of Natchitoches, a freshman majoring in elementary education, said she was ready to begin studying in her chosen field and become involved on campus.
“I am so excited,” Barfield said. “I am so excited to get involved. I am so excited to meet new people, and I am really just ready to start studying what I came here for.”
Barfield said attending Freshman Connection before the start of the semester gave her an opportunity to meet other students she expected to see in her classes.
“I think I am going to see a couple of familiar faces just because I know who is going to be in the same major as me from going to Freshman Connection,” Barfield said.
As classes begin, Barfield said one of her goals is to maintain the academic performance she established through dual enrollment courses in high school.
“I am hoping to keep my 4.0 that I got from my dual enrollment classes in high school and really just stay on top of everything and make new friends,” Barfield said.
Several activities were scheduled throughout the first day to help students begin the semester. The Office of First Year Experience, Office of Marketing and Branding and Coca-Cola hosted “Where the Fork is My Class?” on the Kyser Brickway, where students could ask questions, get help finding their classes and take first-day photos.
An information station was available in the Student Union Ballroom, and students could take yearbook photos in the Student Union Lobby.
Students also had opportunities to learn about campus involvement during Meet and Greek, hosted by the Office of Greek Life, and meet resident assistants during an event hosted by Housing and Residence Life on the Kyser Brickway.
First-day activities conclude with Color Chaos at 6 p.m. on Organization Row. The Office of First Year Experience and Coca-Cola-sponsored event includes music, a water slide and paint activities for students.
Photo: Courtesy of NSU Public Relations