Western Nevada College student Aaron Endel peruses a text book in the college's book store on Monday.
Zachary Moehle, a 2104 Douglas High School graduate, was nervous about his first day at Western Nevada College on Monday.
“You always hear it’s going to be such a big change,” he said.
But after his first few classes, his anxiety diminished.
“I feel like high school really prepared us for it,” he said. “It just feels like the next step.”
Anne Hansen, spokeswoman for the college, said it was a good first day.
“It’s fun. It’s full. It’s nice,” she said. “The biggest thing is that the students are excited about it.”
While not the official count, the numbers from the first day of school have increased from last year, up 3 percent to 3,943. She said students enrolled in classes full time made a six percent jump.
She said that is partly the result of a new program, Jump Start, where the college is working with eight area high schools to allow students to complete their final year of high school and their first year of college simultaneously.
“It’s pretty cool,” Hansen said. “All these different program are helping to meet different needs.”
Andrea Senda, 17, graduated from Carson High School last spring. She said she noticed a different tone on the college campus.
“Everybody is her to get their degree and get things done,” she said. “It’s not a fashion show or a place to just hang out. People are trying to get on with their lives.”
It was a bit of a culture shock for Carson High School graduate Itzel Garcia, 18.
“I survived,” she said. “I had to pay a fee to access a website just to get my homework.”
Although college does have related expenses, Luis Flores, 19, was back Monday for his second year.
“It’ close to home and a lot more affordable,” he said. “You’re taking the same classes as the university, but at half the cost.”