What are UT Knoxville students thinking about? Vols football, 'Suits' and grades

We've been hearing all about how many students will be at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville this fall, what new buildings are being constructed and how students can prepare for academic life.

It's time to hear from students now that they're all moved in!

As a recent graduate of the university, I already feel right at home (although I really don't miss the hills all over campus). Joined by a photographer, I hit campus during move-in week to ask students what's on their minds this school year.

Here's what 10 UT students told Knox News.

Responses have been lightly edited for length, grammar and clarity.

Evie Phillips, freshman psychology major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

EP: I’m just kind of excited to start my life and have that new chapter of my life and having new experiences.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

EP: Making friends and getting out there and involved and all that.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

EP: I like how friendly (Knoxvillians) are. I guess it is a college town, but it feels like we're all family.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

EP: I’m watching “Love Island.” That’s important. It’s great. I recommend that you should definitely watch it!

Shaw Everett, freshman mechanical engineering major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

SE: I'm most excited just to meet new people and just to get a feel for the campus and all that it has to offer.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

SE: Probably school this year. I've heard stories about engineering majors and how hard it is, but I'm kind of excited for it just because I know I'm passionate about it. I think it'll be a good year.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

SE: All the different things you can do here. My brother went here the last couple of years and he always had a great time, and I know I will, too.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

SE: Right now I'm watching “Peaky Blinders” on Netflix. It’s a really good show. I’m on season two, about halfway through. I would recommend it for sure.

Marissa Garcia, freshman business administration major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

MG: Definitely making new friends and just seeing the campus.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

MG: Right now, I'm just a little worried about the walking situation because all my classes are in different places and they're all really close (in time) together.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

MG: My favorite thing about Knoxville would have to be the community and I guess the southern hospitality here. I absolutely love it. I grew up here so it's great!

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

MG: Watching “Pretty Little Liars.” I love it! I binge watched it.

Tatenda Kanyowa, graduate material science major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

TK: This is my first time here. I am hoping to see a lot of things sports wise, academics, meeting new people, different cultures, maybe exchanging cultures. I aim to do that.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

TK: I think settling in is always the hardest thing, especially if you’re new. New country (Kanyowa is from Zimbabwe), new people, new culture. So I hope I can get fast through the first month or two, I’ll be OK.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

TK: I got here yesterday (Aug. 15). I think the people are really nice. Place is also extremely nice. I love it. The weather is really friendly.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

TK: I’m more of a movie person. Anything that comes out that’s nice, especially the action and horror movies. I’m not really much of a series person, because I think it takes too much time. I was watching recently “Heart of Stone.” “Elemental” is animation. I think those are the last two things that I watched.

Landon Shaw, freshman Haslam College of Business exploratory track

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

LS: Just honestly, right now moving in. It's a big adjustment. I'm just excited for the freedom that comes with it.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

LS: Just dealing with time management. I don’t really have the best track record of time management. Being able to manage my school life, meanwhile with what else I do here with friends and stuff like that.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

LS: It’s just always good vibes. We’re big Tennessee fans. I’ll be a fourth generation going here. So, always been a big Tennessee fan and I just love this place. It’s great!

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

LS: I just finished “Suits” on Netflix, which was really good. But I’ll probably have to find a new show or something to watch whenever I’m just sitting up here in the dorm with not much to do until classes come around.

Zoe Wyatt, freshman education major with an elementary concentration

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

ZW: Well, I'm from Minnesota. So, I'm very far from home. And I'm very excited to have a new environment. I think that will be very good for me.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

ZW: When I graduated high school, I kind of felt like I never had to do school again, and now I have to do school.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

ZW: It’s very warm. I’m loving it!

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

ZW: I’m in the middle of watching “A Year in the Life,” the end of the “Gilmore Girls.” I’m also reading “The Woman in the Window.” I just started it.

Fernando Jiménez, freshman architecture major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

FJ: It's kind of 50/50. I'm excited about my major. I've toured this campus a lot and I've looked at the architecture building. I’m just really excited with what they have and the opportunities it's going to represent for me and all the other students as well. Tennessee's known for football games and athletics, and I'm excited for that, too. Football games and just getting to know new people. I’m having a good time.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

FJ: I guess just leaving my parents. I mean, grades have never been an issue.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

FJ: I love how it’s right next to downtown Knoxville. I think the people as well. The people are very welcoming. It’s really easy to find your dorm, and there's a lot of help everywhere. I think that’s great, and talking to people has been great. Everyone’s welcoming and nice. It’s awesome.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

FJ: I forgot what the show is called. It might have been “Suits” on Netflix.

Marissa Scott, freshman nursing major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

MS: I'm most excited for meeting new people and exploring the different programs on campus.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

MS: Honestly, classes. I took a few community college classes through my high school, but I know that college is a completely different experience. Some of the classes make me nervous, but I think I'll be able to handle it, but it’s still kind of scary.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

MS: I really like everyone that I've met so far. Everyone's really nice, and it's been really nice to see, because it's not always the case everywhere you go. So, it's probably the people.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

MS: I’m reading the “Graceling” series. I’m on the second one, called “Fire.”

David Scott, freshman biomedical engineering major

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

DS: What I'm most excited for is probably just getting out and just meeting new people, new experiences, doing all that kind of stuff, getting away from my old life and just doing do new stuff.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

DS: What I'm most worried about is deciding if I actually like my major or not. I have some alternatives after it, but it's really just a toss up of is this actually something I'm wanting to do or if it’s not, then what's going to happen after that.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

DS: Probably the atmosphere and all the people who just absolutely love this school and just support everyone who goes here. It's quite welcoming.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

DS: I have not actually been watching a lot or reading a lot. I've just been packing. One piece of media I've been watching is “One Piece.” I’ve been watching that religiously now. I’m caught up.

Anna Scott, freshman exploratory track

KNS: What are you most excited about this year?

AS: Honestly, the game days. I think after seeing all the news about it, the Alabama game, songs that came out about it, I’m pretty excited for that.

KNS: What are you most worried about this year?

AS: Just the grades. I haven’t been in school for a while, because I graduated as a junior. I took a year off, so it’s just getting back in the swing of things.

KNS: What’s your favorite thing about Knoxville?

AS: I love the scenery. I grew up in Chattanooga. So the river, the mountains, it feels homey to me.

KNS: What are you reading or watching right now?

AS: “Only Murders in the Building.” Season three came out. I haven’t watched it yet, but I will!

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee Knoxville students return for fall semester