Tuesday marked the first day of classes for the fall semester at the University of Virginia, bringing a familiar mix of anticipation and energy to Grounds as students embarked on their academic journeys.
First-year student Anup Budhathoki said, “I’m a little bit nervous, but pretty excited.” His first course was Foundations of Commerce, a prerequisite for his goal of studying in the McIntire School of Commerce.
Anup Budhathoki and Rohit Kamath, both first-year students, pose at the UVA Communications photo booth. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)
Beyond academics, he’s already thinking about the student organizations he hopes to join. He said, “I’m also hoping to get involved with a business fraternity on Grounds.”
Budhathoki is also eager to explore beyond the classroom, particularly the natural beauty surrounding Charlottesville. He’s looking forward to hiking Humpback Rock, a classic trail located on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Meyyammai Subramanian Periyakaruppan, a returning student in the College of Arts & Sciences, is feeling a bit more confident this year.
“Since I’m a second-year now, the first-year nervousness is kind of gone,” she said. “I’m so ready for this semester to start.”
Second-year student Meyyammai Subramanian Periyakaruppan is looking forward to taking a psycholinguistics course this semester. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)
Subramanian Periyakaruppan is particularly excited for a psycholinguistics course this semester, which aligns with her desired track of studying behavioral neuroscience.
Third-year student Braden Bewley hopes to get involved with new student groups this semester, like Hoos on Aux, a social media student group dedicated to posting music trends, song breakdowns and highlighting student artists.
Ransford Antwi and Braden Bewley smile for the camera on South Lawn. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)
For fourth-year student Chloe Combs, the reality of having just one more year at UVA hit her the night before classes began. Now, she’s determined to make the most of the time she has left.
“Something I’m hoping to do before I graduate in the spring is go to Lighting of the Lawn,” the College of Arts & Sciences student said. “I went to it my first year, but didn’t stay long before I got very cold. I really want to be able to attend it for the full time this year.”
Combs also hopes to spend more time in UVA’s historic buildings, especially the Rotunda.
Fourth-year student Chloe Combs and master’s student Campbell Kirby are both in their final year at the University. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)
“I want to try to study in the Rotunda, because I’ve only been there one time, and to many people outside of UVA, that seems like the most ‘UVA thing to do,’” she said.
Here are a few more scenes from Day 1 of the 2025-26 academic year.
