When she arrived at the University of Windsor three years ago to begin her post-secondary career, she was grateful for assistance in getting settled, recalls chemistry student Samantha Scalia.

“It was really hectic,” she said. “I was so glad to have so many people helping new students.”

That’s why she decided to get involved as a volunteer with Windsor Welcome Week. Scalia was one of dozens of students who pitched in to help about new arrivals haul their belongings into residence Sunday.

Among them was Matthew Iannuzzi, a new business student from Oakville taking up residence in Macdonald Hall. His mother, Andrea Peres, said she was having a hard time holding back the tears.

“I’m half jealous and half sad,” she said. “But mostly I am excited for Matthew. This is his time to shine.”

First-year social work student Emilie Bastien also moved into Residence Hall West. She said her stack of boxes and bags held her “entire life.”

“Clothes, pictures, books, computer, shoes—it’s everything,” said the Woodstock native.

Adamo Barbieri’s family drove out of Vaughn at 6:30 a.m. for his move into Laurier Hall, but were awake at 5 a.m.

“We only went to bed at 3 a.m.,” said his mother, Enza Barbieri. “We were too excited to sleep much, anyway.”

Luckily, she said, the day was going smoothly: “This is my first time in the city, but the directions were fantastic.”

About 1,300 students will take up residence in one of six campus halls this semester; over 1,000 did so on Move-in Day.