DE PERE, Wis. — Shelby Flaskamp and her family moved boxes and loose items from a neatly arranged stack into a shopping cart.
The small convoy then made its way to Sensenbrenner Hall, where items were unloaded and carried to a second-floor dorm room.
It’s a scene that was repeated across St. Norbert College Thursday as first-year students began their college careers.
“It’s a big process. I brought a lot of things from home,” Flaskamp said. “I moved a couple hours away from home, so I packed a lot.”
Flaskamp is from Janesville. She is attending St. Norbert to major in chemistry with a minor in psychology. She has her eye on becoming a physical therapist.
She said moving in comes with a mix of excitement and nerves.
“High school went by so fast for me. With college now, finally being up here and moving my stuff into my room, it’s just very surreal,” Flaskamp said. “It’s an amazing feeling and a nervous feeling at the same time. I’m very nervous for the journey but I’m so excited that I’m able to be here and make this journey.”
It’s also the start of a new journey for Laurie Joyner, who recently moved into her role as college president. She saw a range of emotions across campus Thursday.
“Excitement. Nervousness. Tears, which I understand having three sons myself,” Joyner said. “No matter how old they get, it’s always hard when you see them dealing with one of these major life milestones.”
Joyner said she’s empathetic with what the first-year students are experiencing.
“During the first year they’re going to hit those moments where they’re thinking, ‘What am I doing? What am I doing here?’” she said. “But you know how it is. We have this strong sense of community at St. Norbert College, so I feel confident all of them will make it through.”
Flaskamp said she’s looking forward to what the next four years hold — both in and outside the classroom. Right now, it’s about finishing the first task.
“Dad’s going back for about the fourth load right now with a cart, so there’s a good amount of stuff,” she said with a laugh.