Freshmen at the University of Maryland Baltimore County spent their day Monday preparing for the semester ahead.
New students spent a part of the day taking part in Welcome Week activities, events designed to better acclimate them to the 500-acre campus and what it has to offer.
That's how Matt Naumann, an 18-year-old from Cockeysville studying mechanical engineering was spending his afternoon.
After his parents helped him move into his Chesapeake Hall dorm, he's been attending the events to stay busy. He and fellow freshmen were heading to the University Center's ballroom to learn more from current student leaders in a seminar.
"I like being on my own now," he said. "It's finally a way to get away from my parents. I can do what I want when I want."
Maame'yaa Idun, of Clarksville, a freshman biology major, said she is looking forward to taking classes in subject matter she's interested in and getting to know her teachers.
"In college, your classes you take are focused on what you want to do in your life," the 18-year-old said.
About 11,000 undegraduate and 3,000 graduate students are enrolled at the Catonsville university, according to Candace Dodson-Reed, a spokesperson for the school, which is about the same as its fall 2015 figures listed on the university's website.
The university – marking its 50th anniversary -- offers 55 majors, 35 minors and 24 certificate programs in the arts, engineering and information technology, humanities, sciences, pre-professional studies and social sciences, according to its website, along with 41 master's degree programs, 24 doctoral degree programs and 24 graduate certificate programs.
Convocation is set for Tuesday. Classes begin Wednesday.