On Friday students and their families had the opportunity to meet new people and explore the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

On Friday students and their families had the opportunity to meet new people, explore the University of Nevada Reno campus, taking in all the excitement and energy while settling in.   

It marked the beginning of a new adventure for many students.  

Executive Director for Residential Life Housing, Dean Kennedy, spoke about the process.

"We have about 4,000 incoming first year students that are coming to the university," he said.  "About 2,500, 2,600 of those students are living on campus. So, these couple of days are really about those incoming first year students, to get into the buildings, get settled in, get connected, students and their support systems."

The University said assigned check-in times through the housing portal can speed up the process. Those times are staggered by residence hall and room number.

Freshmen move-in day has designated time slots to help make things a bit smoother with the moving process, but officials say all students are welcome to settle in at any time and won't be turned down.

Making the transition from high school to college can be both bittersweet and exciting, and Jessica McClain spoke with incoming students about why they chose The University of Nevada Reno.

Freshmen, Lauren Brown says, "I'm planning on applying to their nursing school, and they have a really really good nursing program, especially in the state of Nevada.  Them and UNLV have really good programs, but the campus here is just so great and they have a brand-new nursing school and again that they care about their students and I can clearly see how they present their nursing school."

First year student, Monae Livingston adds, "I was kind of deciding between Reno or UNLV, but I really wanted to choose Reno because, it's out of Vegas, it's something new, who made the jump from Las Vegas to Reno. "I really do like their programs, so I'm in their psychology program, and also my dad went to medical school here, so got some alumni."

A new year, new school and new friends makes for a new beginning, as many students enter the next chapter of life here at the University of Nevada Reno campus.