COLUMBUS, Ohio– Dozens of cheering volunteers welcome new and returning students to Smith-Steeb Hall on Ohio State’s campus Thursday.

• Over the next three days more than 15,000 will move in to Ohio State residence halls.
• While you can expect heavy traffic in an around campus, there's plenty of help to ensure new students will feel welcome at their new home for the upcoming school year.
• More than 3,000 volunteers will help this weekend 

It’s early move-in day, a brand new start for Findlay resident and freshman Benjamin Howard.

“Ohio State campus is bigger than my whole city so, but I’m very excited. It’s pretty nice, everyone kinda cheering and helping you in,” says Howard. 

Ohio State spokesperson David Isaacs says the University has the move-in process down to a science.

University police direct cars where to go and upperclassmen volunteers unload and take the belongings to students’ new rooms.

Organizers say the whole process helps alleviate stress for both parents and students.

“Parents are nervous and excited, and their baby is going away to school. The students, many of them are starting a new adventure. So we try and make this as smooth and as easy as possible,” says Isaacs. 

3,000 current and alumni volunteers are on campus this weekend to help first-year students and sophomores move in.

“When I was a freshman, I was a welcome orientation leader. So I thought this was great. This was a great way to give back to a University that I absolutely love,” says OSU Alumna Sarah Carr. 

“It can be really stressful, so just having a smiling face, people welcoming you in, screaming OH here relieves some of that,” says OSU senior Andrew Miura. 

By the numbers, the Ohio State campus is bigger than a lot of cities in Ohio.

With about 61,000 students, it’s slightly bigger than Springfield and almost as big as Hamilton. 

Howard, the native of Findlay, population 41,000, plans to study Bio-Chemistry.

While he’s a little nervous about getting around campus, the 18-year-old is looking forward to meeting new friends.

“Not too worried about it, and as long as you stay involved in stuff, I think Ohio State is going to treat you really well. Start the second part of my life and hopefully everything goes very well and I can’t wait to get started,” says Howard.