EDWARDSVILLE – Hot chocolate and supportive smiles offered students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville a warm welcome for the spring 2020 semester on a crisp Monday.

“I was excited to get back on campus and have people around me,” said sophomore psychology major and Women’s Basketball player Mikala Hall, of Danville. “I loved my first two classes today!”

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The Office of Student Affairs organized volunteers around campus holding Ask Me! signs. The friendly faces served as a helpful resource to students navigating their new schedules. Faculty, administrators and staff volunteers also served free hot chocolate to students as a mid-day treat.

“There’s obviously some nerves on this first day back as we get prepared for the new semester,” said Carli Rose, a freshman biology and Spanish major from Salem. “Having people out here providing hot chocolate and a nice atmosphere really helps put students at ease for the semester and the challenges that are ahead.”

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Among students’ goals for the new semester: study more and get a 4.0 GPA, dive deeper into their major, make new connections, be on time and prepared, and be proactive instead of reactive.

“I got to campus early today to make sure I printed my syllabi and articles for class,” said junior sociology major Precious Nunn, of St. Louis. “Getting ahead is important. I plan to stayed focused this semester.”

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose to shape a changing world. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of more than 13,000.

Photo: An Ask Me! staff volunteer helps a student navigate her new schedule on the first day of the spring 2020 semester.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ok0Uw-cmQeM

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