The first day of lectures marked a new chapter for freshmen at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), on Tuesday (August 18, 2026). After completing the New Student Campus Life Orientation Program (PKKMB), students attended their first lectures and began experiencing university life firsthand.

The first lecture was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as students from various study programs met their classmates, lecturers, and new learning environment.

Floren Febiatama, a Communication Science student, said she was excited to finally meet her classmates in person after getting to know them during PKKMB.

“Today is my first day of college at UNNES. My first impression is that it is really exciting because I can meet my classmates in person and get to know them better,” Floren said.

She admitted that she initially felt nervous when meeting her lecturer for the first time. However, her anxiety quickly disappeared once the class began.

“To be honest, I was a little nervous when I met the lecturer for the first time. But as the class went on, I realized that the lecturer was not as intimidating as I had imagined. In fact, the class was really fun,” she said.

A positive impression was also shared by Amanda Novrida Pribawanto Putri, a Sociology and Anthropology Education student. For her, the first lecture was an enjoyable experience because it gave her an opportunity to build new friendships and expand her social network.

“My first lecture experience was very enjoyable because I could expand my network and meet new friends who were very welcoming,” Amanda said.

She also appreciated the learning facilities and the cleanliness of the FISIP campus. According to Amanda, the supportive learning environment helped freshmen feel more comfortable and focused during their first class.

“I feel comfortable studying in the FISIP building because the facilities are adequate and the environment is clean. These are definitely advantages for us as freshmen who are experiencing classroom learning with lecturers for the first time,” she said.

Meanwhile, Alfiah Febriany, a Political Science student, had a slightly different experience. One of her first challenges was finding the buildings where she had to attend General University Courses, or MKU.

“My first impression was that I was immediately confused by the buildings and the MKU classes. Even after my class ended, I had to look for the building for my next MKU class,” Alfiah said.

Yet, the experience turned into an opportunity to explore the UNNES campus.

“It was actually fun because I got to walk around and explore UNNES,” she said.

Alfiah described her first day as a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She was excited to meet friends she had known since PKKMB, but she was still adjusting to the new academic environment, especially when meeting lecturers for the first time.

“I was excited because I had already met and gotten to know many friends during PKKMB, but I was still nervous, especially when the lecturer entered the classroom. I am still in the process of adapting, so many things still feel unfamiliar,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Alfiah said she had begun to enjoy the atmosphere at FISIP. She appreciated the opportunity to meet people with different personalities and experience what it means to be a freshman at FISIP.

“I can meet people with different personalities, talk with them, and experience the atmosphere of being a FISIP freshman. Everyone is friendly, and people often greet each other,” she said.

FISIP Dean Prof. Arif Purnomo welcomed students to the new academic semester and encouraged them to make the most of their university experience.

“Welcome to the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year, which begins on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. I hope you achieve the best results,” Arif said.

For the freshmen, the first lecture was more than just the beginning of academic activities. It was also the first step toward building friendships, becoming familiar with the campus environment, and adapting to a new chapter of life as university students.