It's an annual tradition, thousands of college students across the northland preparing for the upcoming school year.
They arrive on campus carrying computers, blankets and even toaster ovens.
But for some college freshman studying may not be the only thing on their mind.
Being away from parents for the first time may be enough temptation for new students to engage in risky behavior.
But Vice Chancellor of Student Life, Vicki Hajewski, says U.W.S. actively promotes good behavior for its students.

"We recognize that the surrounding area to this community is a blend of off campus student housing as well private residences, and we are constantly reminding students that they need to be good stewards of their residential properties as well as be good neighbors to the people that are around them."

Provost Chris Markwood agrees and says the college educates incoming students on the dangers of risky choices.

"We take alcohol education and responsibility education seriously we want our students to enjoy themselves in the college experience here and we also want them to be responsible leaders."

College officials recognize that drinking is a part of almost everybody's college experience but U.W.S. prides itself on its pro–active approach to drinking.

"I have not seen a drinking problem to the degree that I know some other campuses experience, we do try to be pro–active in our approach...

But for some students, it's the parents that have the most influence when it comes to drinking and parties.

"We've been talking since third grade; we know what's going on."

Trevor Roy reporting.
More than 300 new students are expected to attend U.W.S this fall; the College of St. Scholastica is also seeing record enrollment with 580 incoming freshmen, and over at UMD, officials are expecting around two–thousand new freshman.
Lake Superior College is also reporting record enrollment.