Move-in day: Windsor students start life on campus

Ahead of the new school year, students from around the world descended on Windsor Sunday to get settled into their new lives in residence.

Across the campuses of the University of Windsor and St. Clair College, volunteers lead more than one thousand students into dorms.

“I think there’s a lot of excited energy happening, and just students are looking forward to the school year. They’re excited to move into their own space, make it their own,” said Zoe Rivera, a residence life team leader at UWindsor.

One by one, students, surrounded by volunteers and families, packed their belongings into a bin before heading inside.

After finishing her undergraduate degree at Trent University in Oshawa, Samiha Mozammel moved into residence at the university, where she’s studying to become a teacher.

“I’m a little bit nervous. It’s my first time moving away from home, but very, very excited,” Mozammel told CTV News, standing outside Alumni Hall.

The aspiring teacher said she’s excited to live in Windsor and prepare to help the next generation learn.

“A lot of the life lessons that I learned when I was a kid was when I was in elementary, and a lot of the teachers that changed my life were my elementary school teachers, which is why I want to be a teacher,” she said.

Move-in day marks a significant step for students, but also an emotional transition for parents.

When asked about his daughter’s decision to move, Samiha’s father, Mozammel, became choked up.

“When the first time she said, ‘I’ve been accepted from Windsor,’ I said, ‘No, I don’t want that,’” he said laughingly.

The day signified a first for students as well as the University of Windsor.

The post-secondary institution opened a new residence, Rodzik Hall, featuring six floors, lounges, and a dining hall.

According to Rivera, the new building will house about 420 students.

“We’re super excited. All of the students are the first ones to live in that space,” Rivera said.

The first day of classes is Sept. 4.