Fresno State students both anxious and excited

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno State students start school this week. For some of them it will be their first time away from home so the school planned some fun activities to help them meet new people.

Whether it's eating melon or chugging melon juice, the Watermelon Games are one of the many activities to help students get involved and meet new people.

Students started to move in over the weekend. Sophomore Montana Tarkington already had stocked up her food supply.

Tarkington said, "I've got tea, I've got pre-cooked rice. I've got German chocolate cake. The deliciousness of German chocolate cake."

It took her just an hour to move in because she was extremely organized.

Tarkington added, "it also feels good to get back into the education game because I love learning new things although I'm not looking forward to three hours of homework for every hour of class time."

Sophomore Kaitlin Molaison doesn't go anywhere without Derek her pet fish.

Kaitlin said, "My fish he's struggling but he keeps me entertained when I'm bored. I'm actually bored so I'm excited for school to start but I'm sure when school starts I'll wish I was bored."

For freshmen like Sam Kennedy from Morgan Hill the transition is a little tougher.

Kennedy said, "It definitely gives everyone sort of a sense of community. I'm scared, you're scared. Let's be scared together kind of thing."

Kennedy's roommate Ryan Hudec is a freshman from Clovis West.

Hudec said, "It was different. Coming away from home but not really. Kind of more independent."

Matt Gorella of University Village Housing spends a lot of time assuring parents their college kids are safe and secure on the Fresno State campus.

Gorella explained, "For 18 years these parents are told the more involved you are the better it's going to be for your child. Now you're told two months later hands off. They're going to college, leave them alone so it's tough for a lot of parents."

Classes begin at Fresno State on Thursday.