Erik bush and MAry Beth Arimond

Stepping over half-unpacked suitcases and waiting in line to use the elevators are just a few reminders of moving in for freshman returning for their spring semester.

While not as busy as it was during the beginning of the fall semester, the return to school and the residence halls continues to offer new challenges to freshmen.

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For those coming back, the routines of unpacking and getting ready seems to come a little easier.

Dama Brown, a freshman from Madisonville, KY, said she tried to beat the rush by arriving earlier in the day, but her plan did not exactly work out.

I could not find a parking spot so I had to wait until late at night to unload my car, Brown said. Besides that, it was kind of a come-and-go process. It really wasn’t as much of a hassle compared to last semester.

Songa Powell, a freshman from Westchester, had problems getting her luggage to her room.

Some of the elevators were running slow so it was a pain to wait in the long lines, Powell said. I just used the stairs instead.

Once the freshman were settled in, the problems didn’t seem to end with parking and elevators.

Grinnell Dining Hall doesn’t serve food until Tuesday, and it can get expensive eating out all of the time, Brown said. You can’t live on junk food, you know.

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Some freshman, tired of living in the residence halls are beginning to search for something different.

Luke Lesniak, a freshman from Joliet, said he has thought of an alternative to living in the residence halls.

I’m going to look for a sophomore-approved apartment for next year so I can be on my own, Lesniak said.

With the new semester, like the new year, freshman are looking for a few ways to improve their styles for survival here at SIUC.

Recounting some of the lessons to be learned, Missy Lundberg, a freshman from Bloomington, said moving back into Schneider Hall and getting ready for classes is becoming routine for her.

Last semester I bought books that I didn’t need, so this semester I’m going to wait until I get my syllabus, Lundberg said. Now that I know what one semester is like, it doesn’t seem so stressful.

Laura Weshinskey, a freshman from Belleville, said that after only one semester she is tired of the general education courses.

I’m looking forward to taking more classes in my major, which is civil engineering, Weshinskey said. I want to make sure this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Moving back in and lessons learned are not the only things on the minds of freshmen. Common frustrations, improved GPAs and working towards individual goals are all areas freshmen at SIUC are looking forward to for the spring semester.

Dave Armanetti, a freshman from Chicago, said he still plans to keep up with his New Year’s resolutions.

I need to get in shape, and I want to improve my stamp collection and grades, Armanetti said.

I blew most of my money last year so I will keep a closer eye on it this semester, Brown said.