For many parents, it seems like only yesterday that they were dropping their kids off at kindergarten. Suddenly those children, now high school grads on the way to the next milestone in their life, are commandeering outsized carts at Bed, Bath and Beyond, procuring bedding, towels, and bins to settle into dormitory life and their first year away from home. Their families may linger until the bed is made and the clothes unpacked, but inevitably the time comes to say good-bye, in a swirl of emotions, from joyful pride to bereft sadness.

Boston University just welcomed 3,625 freshmen to campus. Bostonia caught up with some of the members of the Class of 2019 and their families as they arrived on West Campus during Move-in. Parents spoke about this landmark event in their children’s lives, and their hopes and advice for sons and daughters about to embark on this great big, challenging, life-changing adventure: college.

Joe Chan can be reached at joechan@bu.edu. Jason Kimball can be reached at jk16@bu.edu.