The campus of Vincennes University is buzzing with eager students yet again as classes are well underway for the Fall 2025 semester.

And while excitement abounds for everything from new classes and professors to fresh opportunities and connection, the transition isn’t always an easy one.

“It definitely sucks because I’m away from my family and my boyfriend, but I’m glad to be back on campus again,” said Izzy Brocklehurst, a sophomore psychology major. “I missed my roommates.

“I’m not super homesick yet,” she said, “but I know it will hit randomly this year.”

Kyran Sandullo, a freshman broadcasting major, is living away from his Indianapolis home for the very first time, but staying with his grandparents, residents of Vincennes, is sating the homesickness.

“It’s strange, at first, because I live two hours away from here, but now I’m living with my grandparents, so at least I have a little bit of family nearby,” he said.

Teyon Johnson, also a first-year broadcasting major, said he suffered his fair share of tearful goodbyes, but he’s grateful for his family’s love and support as he takes this first step toward getting the knowledge and skills he needs to be successful in a career he already loves.

“It’s nerve-wracking, and it’s definitely been tearful,” he said. “But I’d say it’s also been pretty good, and everything seems to be going according to plan.”

Despite the first-year jitters, Johnson said he’s excited to meet new people in an environment different from his native Indianapolis. He’s also eager to broaden his knowledge in disciplines like audio editing and visual effects, skills he knows will give him a competitive edge after graduation.

Johnson, too, offered a bit of advice to others who might be struggling to make new friends.

“For me it’s always been, like, sometimes you have to pay attention to whenever you’re talking about subjects out loud,” he said. “Look around at other people, and if they start looking in your direction, you can tell they’re listening.

“Or just walk up and introduce yourself, poke and prod about what they like to do, or make up some kind of scenario to talk about,” he said. “Or just ask them a genuine question.”

Sandullo shared a similar sentiment about looking to connect with others on campus.

“Go to the club meetings,” he encouraged. “Hang out in the (Jefferson Student Union) or just talk to the kids that are in your class about things and see if they have any friends that you can talk to as well,” he said.

Akira DeVries, a freshman studying conservation law enforcement and wildlife management, said he, for one, is excited about being away from home for the first time.

“I love my family, but it’s very nice to be on my own,” he said, adding that he, too, is embracing the idea of making new friends.

“When I can get through the anxiety of talking to (new) people, it’s fun,” he said. “It’s always fun to learn about others, especially if they know different things than you do; you can learn new things from each other.”

Brandon Hopkins, a second-year zoology and marine biology major, last year started his own club, one dedicated to his passion of practicing jiu jitsu. It’s helped him to make friends and share his love of the Brazilian-born martial art.

“I’m excited for another semester of that,” he said. “There’s a sense of belonging, which I wouldn’t have otherwise.

“That’s why I do it.”

Hopkins said he greatly values fostering community, whether that be helping fellow students with their homework or being a friend when they’re struggling. He finds joy in being a friendly face to others, he said.

Likewise, Katerina Kwayke, a freshman studying biomedical engineering, said she looks forward to an opportunity, being away from home for the first time, to express herself in different ways.

“I enjoy being able to do things on a whim,” she said. “And that whim is mine, of  course.”

She wants to explore the more whimsy and carefree attitude a college campus can provide, and she said she’s had a “fantastic experience” meeting new people so far.

“I’ve been on both sides of the coin, and it is very hard to meet new people,” she said. “But we have been placed in this dome where that’s kind of the whole point, almost. Everywhere you turn, there are new people.

It’s really hard and scary, but sometimes we have to push our fears down a little and just say, ‘hi,’”

Ryan Johnson, an IT major who has already earned an associate’s degree in cyber security, said being back on campus again is a “great feeling.”

“This being my senior year, I definitely know the ropes,” he said. “And I switched from an apartment for my final semester to feel more connected to campus”.

Sherman Whiteside, a sophomore studying broadcasting, said he, too, is happy for the start of yet another semester.

“I’m most excited about making new, fun memories,” he said, “and getting more into my career.”