By: Leah DiPaola and Jon Dell

A new year begins for students in Santa Clarita.

Students head to class at COC Valencia

College of the Canyons began instruction for the fall
semester today. Students returning to the Valencia
campus from the long summer break noticed brand-new buildings unearthed,
directional signs planted in the ground, and proudly displayed new building names.

For many students, like 18 year old Amanda McMurray, it was
their first time being on the business end of a college campus.

“When I was on my way to school this morning, I was very
nervous,” she told KHTS. “But now that I’m here I found that everyone is very
helpful so I’m not so nervous. But it’s a lot different than high school…it’s a
lot better than high school.”  

On the other side of Santa Clarita, many students are taking
their first steps onto COC’s Canyon Country campus. Located off of Sierra
Highway in Canyon Country, the campus is only in
its second year, but a constant stream of new facilities continue to open.

[view:node_ad=5]On both campuses, it is not uncommon to find administrators and
staff out among the students, offering information, maps and even a few college
pointers. For brand new students, that can be invaluable.

“I think the hardest thing is going to be finding my
classes,” McMurray said.

College of the Canyons is the last of the major public
schools in Santa Clarita to start up.

COC Canyon Country