COLLEGE STATION, TX — Wednesday marks the start of the fall semester for Texas A&M University, with some classes meeting in person and others online.
Aggies are summing up the first day of school in one word, different.
“It’s definitely different but we all have to get used to it," said transfer student Kaitlin Sulik.
“The whole COVID thing is just making everything really strange and different than it would be, so just different I would say," said freshman Nathaniel Jackson.
Jackson says his first day of college is a mixture of in-person and online classes.
“I have three in-person classes and two online classes,” he said.
According to the university, 50% percent of courses offered are face-to-face and 75% of students will likely have two or more courses in person.
Sulik says the university is taking all of the safety precautions needed to keep face-to-face learning safe for all.
“Everyone is wearing masks, you are separated by what color seat you can sit in. So, it's very different its definitely a new norm that we have to adjust to but hopefully get used to it soon." she said.
As classrooms are limited to 33% of their normal capacity, students say they aren’t worried about going to an in-person class.
“I definitely think A&M is trying to do everything they can do to satisfy the students and keep everyone safe and healthy, and as of right now I think they are doing a good job,” said Sulik.
With required face mask and social distancing being enforced across campus, freshmen like Jackson are not left disappointed on his first day of college.
“Honestly it’s better than I expected. Just being here and actually being able to go to class and everything, whether it's online or sitting in a courtyard somewhere or actually going to a classroom, it’s just nice actually being on campus,” he said.
Texas A&M, like many other universities, has moved up their last day of the fall semester to before Thanksgiving break due to the concern of students traveling for holiday during the pandemic.