Scenes from the first day of class, 2023-24

Students sit at tables in a cafeteria eating, with large windows facing them.

Students eat breakfast at the Four Lakes Market in Dejope Residence Hall before the first day of fall semester classes. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

A view of Bascom Hall, a neoclassical building with white columns. Students walk on pathways in front of the building.

Students and pedestrians walk along Bascom Hill near Bascom Hall between class periods during the first day of fall semester classes. Photo by: Bryce Richter

A view from the floor looking up into a full lecture hall with stadium seeting.

Students watch the first lecture of Math 221 with instructor Soledad Benguria Depassier. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

A view across full rows in a lecture hall as students take notes and listen.

Students settle in for the first day of Math 221 with instructor Soledad Benguria Depassier in Sterling Hall. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

A close shot of a hand with a stylus taking notes on a tablet.

A student writes notes on a tablet on the first day of Math 221. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

A close shot of a woman holding a pencil to her chin as she looks thoughtfully off camera.

Students take in information on the first day of Math 221 in Sterling Hall. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

A woman talks to a classmate across a table.

A student listens as classmates introduce themselves in Spanish 102 taught by Avery Puskas in Van Hise Hall. Photo by: Althea Dotzour

UW–Madison students made their way to the classroom on the first day of the 2023-24 school year on a campus still doused in summertime humidity, but with the promise of cooler temperatures ahead.

The scenes had a comforting familiarity: Crowds of students chatted and laughed as they walked to classes, stopped bystanders to ask for directions and greeted fellow students as they settled into their seats in lecture halls and classrooms.

We followed along with three first-year students as they navigated their first day.

Olivia Cerro

Olivia Cerro of Madison is a computer science major who lives in Slichter Residence Hall.

“I’m excited to explore and learn more about the field of computers and to have more experiences and eat good food with new people,” Cerro said. “I’m excited to reinvent myself as the person I always want to be but never could be.”

Jayquan Jaeger

Jayquan Jaeger of Madison has wide-ranging interests — he hopes to double major in astronomy and theater. And his first day reflected that, with some piano practice along with a theater class. He lives in Dejope Residence Hall.

Gabriella Ortiz

Gabriella Ortiz of Waukesha hopes to double major in neurobiology and Spanish while on a pre-med track. She lives in Witte Residence Hall.

“I am venturing into this university with motivation that is founded from my Hispanic heritage and experiences through shadowing and internships at the Medical College of Wisconsin,” said Ortiz, whose family has Guatemalan roots.