Classes begin at Fresno State

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The dawn of a new semester at Fresno State brings a mixed bag of emotions. There is excitement--there is anxiety and also some confusion.

"I thought there was gonna be like a lot more students at this time," said student Elijah Carter.

Carter showed up an hour and a half early for class, as the sun was still rising -- he's a freshman from Traver and alone on a big campus.

"To be honest, I'm kind of nervous because I'm starting fresh," Carter said.

There are many others -- who feel the same way, like Perla Mondragon.

"It's a little scary just feeling like you don't know anybody," said Mondragon

She's also new to the school but she lives in Fresno

"There's just a lot of different kinds of people here -- it's something I'm already kind of used to. I feel like its home to me," said Mondragon.

This is home for thousands of students-- a home away from home for Jasmine Jaring Angeles who just graduated from high school in Tracy. Being a college student in a new city already has some challenges.

"I'm hungry--I didn't eat a lot for breakfast -- the shuttle sucks," said Mondragon.

The experience is different for everyone, but there is a place for students to connect -- to find friends and support. It is called the bulldog zone, located on the bottom floor of the Student Union.

"When you have that sense of belonging and connection -- when things are going great, you have people to celebrate with and when things are difficult, you have people to lean on," said Dr. Frank Lamas, Fresno State Vice President.

For Elijah, he finds comfort knowing he is not alone.

"Everyone else here is just like me, we're in the same boat." Carter said.

He is at the beginning of a journey, a little lost at first -- but he eventually found his way.