Move-in madness at UNCW

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Madness at UNCW this weekend as more than more 4,000 students moved in for the fall semester. College is the beginning of the next chapter of their lives, but it all starts with move-in day. Normally a really stressful time, but thanks to about 1,700 volunteers at UNCW, it’s taking mere minutes.

“I’ve waited for this day for a long time so I’m excited,” said freshman Justine Benjamin.

The volunteers helped make the new Seahawks feel right at home.

“You hear horror stories of schlepping stuff up the stairs, but we did nothing but park the car, so that was the best,” parent Jennie Rook said.

Then it was time to get situated; making beds, moving beds and figuring out how to get down from their beds. Another challenge the freshmen faced was learning how to suddenly share space with their new roommates.

“I think it’ll be hard ’cause I’m always singing,” Benjamin said.

Freshman Caity Rook said, “I’m nervous, but I’ll be fine I think.”

Starting college isn’t easy on the parents either.

“We’ll be lonely. She’s an only child, so I’m an empty-nester I guess,” Jennie Rook said. But Rook couldn’t imagine her daughter Caity going anywhere else. “I really feel like she’s in good hands. It’s a very safe campus. It’s easy to get around. It seems like there’s go-to people for everything.”

Students have a couple more days to get their dorms in order before they have to hit the books Wednesday. UNCW has a record enrollment with more than 13,000 students this year.