Members of the "Class of 2000" project have come to UB from the four corners of New York State: Buffalo to Oceanside, Vestal to Oswego. The New York City area is well represented. Ranging in age from 17 to 19, a few are commuter students who live at home; the majority live on campus.

Nine weeks into their college careers, they all speak highly of UB. In fact, it is that high regard for the university that has brought most of them here, coupled with UB's affordability and size.

What have they enjoyed the most about UB so far? Friends, freedom and fun.

The downside of life at UB? The food, roommates, and the self-discipline required by college studies.

A couple are homesick, but most are having a terrific time. What would they change about their first two months at UB? For many, not a thing. Others wish they had studied more, kept up better with their reading, made more friends. One student noted, "I would not have experimented with things that I was not able to handle yet."

Their views of the future? Some are certain they have a promising life ahead. Some find the future a little frightening. Others think there is a lot of hard work up the line. Two said they consider the future "bleak," with jobs and opportunities uncertain at best.

Meet the Class of 2000.

Location and reputation were the deciding factors when Jennifer decided to attend UB.

"I chose UB because its a good school, especially for my intended major. Another reason is because it's only an hour and a half from my house. I'm far enough away from home, but if I want (need) to go home, it's easy."

The first two months at UB have been hectic, she says. "It is definitely a new experience. Living away from home is fun, however, the school work is a lot more difficult than high school."

In fact, if she could change anything about the past two months, Jennifer says, it would be her course load. "I'm taking 'way too many difficult courses at once. I'd love to spend less time studying, and have a little more fun."

She enjoys the new friends she's made, but finds dorm life has its drawbacks. "It's most definitely hard living with someone who does things that I don't agree with." Students who get drunk are particularly a problem, she says. "It's rough staying home to do work all the time and then finally going to sleep, and being woken up by people throwing up in the hallway. It gets old real fast. Another thing is the idiots who pull the fire alarm at all hours when you're trying to sleep."

Brian Aleksivich
Age: 18
Hometown: Bath
Major: physical therapy

Brian has done some comparison shopping, and he's glad he chose UB. "I've talked to people attending the schools I got accepted to and turned down, and they don't like those schools. I'm happy here."

The first two months at UB have been fun, although he wished he'd studied harder for his first tests. "I wish I had known how much more difficult the tests are from high school tests," he says. And if he had it to do over, Brian would have chosen his classes a little differently. "When I registered for classes, 9 o'clock seemed late compared to 7 o'clock in high school. But as the year goes on, I find it harder and harder to get up."

Sharing a room with two other people has been an adjustment, but it's also had its advantages, he says. "I'm living with two sophomores, and they are showing me around. I feel I have settled in quicker than if I was living with freshmen."

He's also had to adjust his study habits. "I never studied in high school," Brian says. Classes are going well, but "a couple could and will be better."

Susan Baebler
Age: 18
Hometown: Franklin Square
Major: pharmacy

As the only state school with a School of Pharmacy, UB was an easy, affordable choice for Susan. And she's happy with her decision to come to Buffalo. "I love the people, the fast pace and how much is offered here," she says.

Her first two months at UB have been a lot of fun, as well as a learning experience. "I have to budget time and money, and I didn't do it at first. I had to learn it myself."

How are classes going? "Not good, but not bad. It's an adjustment," Susan says. Classes are more difficult, and the size of the lectures make it "hard to pay attention and get individual help." Sharing a room with three other people, and sorting out issues such as the telephone, space and personal time, also have been a challenge.

But she's also enjoyed the people she's met at UB. "I've made such good friends in a short time. I feel like we've shared so much together."

Jayme Benjamin
Age: 18
Hometown: Nanuet
Major: undecided, perhaps media study

The first two months at UB "have gone well, except for the school part. The work is very hard," says Jayme.

She chose UB because of its size and reputation, and is happy with her decision. "I'm having a very good time," she says. In fact, there is nothing she would change about her first two months here.

She's enjoying the social atmosphere of college. "Everyone is so nice," she says. But living away from home presents the greatest personal challenge, especially "getting used to the fact that mom and dad are not there for you."

Erin Cala
Age: 18
Hometown: Jamestown
Major: undecided, perhaps psychology

She loves the freedom, but hates the food. Loves English and abnormal psych, but hates the "poor quality of profs in required entry-level courses." And the toilet paper is "mean."

The first two months at UB have meant "not much sleep, mega reading, too much fun," says Erin.

Location and reputation were important factors in her decision to attend UB, and she's glad she did. It's been a "good overall experience so far. Little or no adjustment to being away from home," she says.

She's enjoyed setting up her room and getting to know her room- and suite-mates, but the food is "bad, bad, greasy, queasy-making, fattening, same-every-day food."

How are classes going? "Fifty-fifty. Good and not so good," she says. She's had to adjust to "keeping up with the workload (and) learning each prof's academic style and rising to it."

Jennifer Cotignola
Age: 18
Hometown: Brooklyn
Major: business

A beautiful campus, a good business program and affordability combined to bring Jennifer to UB. Although the first two months were hard, she's happy with her choice. "I love it here. I made so many friends and my classes are really interesting."

Classes are going "just OK," she said. She has to do a lot more studying to survive in college, and "the classes are so big. I cannot get the one-on-one teacher-student relationship like I had in high school. I like smaller classes, but I will have to adjust." But the Methods of Inquiry class she's taking is helping a lot. "It's teaching me how to succeed in my lecture classes," Jennifer said.

The buses and doing laundry are the things she likes the least about UB. The most difficult personal adjustment is having to share a room after always having her own, she says.

Susan Deacon
Age: 18
Hometown: Auburn
Major: architecture

The first two months at UB have been fun, interesting and very busy, says Susan. She chose UB over Syracuse and Hobart and William Smith Colleges because "I liked the campus a lot and I liked the architecture program. It also was the least expensive."

Classes are going great, and she has found her professors willing to help outside class. And she's learning a lot about time management. "The tests cover more than tests in high school. You can't study for the first time the night before the exam. Especially in architecture, I need to start early on projects or else I'm up all night before a project is due."

Keeping up with her coursework has been a real adjustment, Susan says. In fact, that's the only thing she would change about her first two months at UB. "I would have kept up with my reading for my classes. It's easy to fall behind when the professors assign so much!"

She's also adjusting to life in the residence halls. "Living with four people is hard, especially in the morning when everyone gets up at different times. You have to be considerate of your roommates," she says. "I don't enjoy carting my stuff back and forth to the bathroom. I miss my bathroom the most."

Christopher J. Fedorczak
Age: 18
Hometown: Hicksville
Major: undecided, perhaps psychology or pre-med

A native of Poland who immigrated to the United States with his family in 1980, Chris chose UB because of its reputation and price. One of the things he's enjoyed the most about UB so far is the independence. Although his classes are going reasonably well, he says classes are "boring," and actually, classes and studying are the things he has enjoyed the least so far about UB.

His thoughts about his future are uncertain, but he does know he wants an exciting career, and doesn't want a desk job. Chris, who describes himself as self-motivated, independent, daring and adventurous, lists jumping out of a plane and skiing double black diamond among his accomplishments. He's also a deejay at UB's student-run radio station, WRUB, which he says is what he's enjoyed the most about UB so far.

David Fier
Age: 18
Hometown: Staten Island
Major: pre-dentistry

David Fier has definite career plans-he wants to be an oral surgeon and to perfect a new dental surgical technique. He's got it all pictured in his head, and now just has to figure out how to do it.

UB fits neatly into those plans. He wants to finish college, then attend the UB School of Dental Medicine. He chose UB because it has a "great science program and dental school. It's eight hours from home and it gives me a chance to meet all new people."

He's happy with his decision to attend UB. "It's a huge school with many things to do and see. I have made many new friends and connections with people who will make great recommendations later in life. My roommates are great and we have a lot in common."

His classes are challenging, "and force me to do more work than actually is needed in order to surpass my peers." In fact, "for the first time in my life I have to actually study and do real work." If he could change anything about the first two months, David says, it would be "a lot more studying for Chem 101." But the competition for grades is one of the things he's enjoying the most.

What has he enjoyed the least so far? "The food. It's fattening and gross." Transportation also is difficult. "The bus stops running at an early time in the evening, and it's very difficult to get to a shopping area."

In addition to his busy academic schedule, David also is a deejay at WRUB, is captain of the intramural soccer team and volunteers at the Early Childhood Research Center.

Kaya Gerberich
Age: 18
Hometown: Oswego
Major: undecided, perhaps medicine specializing in pediatrics

The first two months at UB have been "a quick and easy adjustment" for Kaya, who chose UB for its big-school environment and the opportunities it presents. "It also was the right distance from home-not too close, not too far. I had good experiences whenever I visited the school."

So far, she says, she's having a great time. "I think it has a lot to do with the friends I've made and people I've met. My roommates are wonderful and we all get along. My classes are challenging, but not impossible, and I like everyone I meet."

Her most difficult personal adjustment has been the increase in responsibility. "I'm in charge of everything I do. There's no one to tell me that I can't go out, or that I have to attend classes, or that I should go to bed at a reasonable hour, or that I can't spend all my money at the mall." And her most difficult academic adjustment has been "forcing myself to get up for classes. I don't have any 8 a.m. classes, but since there's no one pushing me out the door, and no attendance policy, it's easier to not get out of bed in the morning!"

Although it's difficult to get going in the morning, her classes are going very well, she says, although two "require a little more effort on my part."

Michelle Glatt
Age: 18
Hometown: Oceanside
Major: English

At first, Michelle says, she was incredibly homesick and lonely, but after two months at UB, "that changed and now I don't want to leave."

She chose UB "because my parents could afford it, because there was a large Jewish population, and because I didn't want to go to Albany after being wait-listed at Binghamton." And she's glad she's here. "I've made some really good friends up here and I'm loving dorm life (except for the food) because my floor is really great."

How are classes going? "So far, so good, except for my science class. I only have lecture now, so it's hard to discipline myself to do the reading by myself." And what has been the most difficult academic adjustment? Time management, she says.

The only things Michelle says she would change is e-mail, which she uses to keep in touch with friends from home. "The Blake Center in Ellicott used to have it and now they don't and it's a real inconvenience."

Chris Ibarra
Age: 19
Hometown: Williamsville
Major: management information systems

Chris chose UB "because it is a good school, inexpensive and right in my back yard." A commuter, he's faced many of the same challenges as his on-campus peers: more challenging coursework, large classes, more freedom. But instead of getting used to living with new people, he's had to get used to parking on campus.

The only thing he says he would change about his first two months at UB is his grades, Chris says. "I like my classes and the people I have met so far. Everybody is helpful and very nice. I would like to have gotten a little more involved, but getting used to college outweighs that for now."

College is demanding, he says. "I spend a lot of time studying, but my grades aren't what they should be. I have never read so much in my life. And only three tests a semester-if I screw up, I am done!"

But he likes the freedom of college. "I like the feeling of being treated like an adult. I am in control of my own future. I have learned more here than I have in high school."

Eric Ip
Age: 18
Hometown: Brooklyn
Major: music performance

Coming to UB is like a dream come true, says Eric. "I have wanted to attend this school ever since I was a sophomore in high school. My brother is a student at UB and I had visited the school several times. I really liked the atmosphere and the size of the campuses. And UB is one of the best SUNY universities."

The first two months have been very exciting, he says. "It's very different from the city. Many different faces walk around the campuses. There was a lot for me to explore, which made my first two months at UB even more interesting. I felt like I was a little child not knowing much."

So far, the thing he's enjoyed the most about UB is residence life. "I just love the independence. Hanging out 'til 2 in the morning and waking up at 12 is very cool. Of course, if there are classes, I will wake up earlier."

The independence also is one of the challenges, especially when it comes to waking up on time for classes and setting priorities. "All the work piled up at the same time. I have to learn how to space my time for studying," Eric says.

Classes are going great. "I love them all. There is a lot of reading involved, but overall it's not too bad. I like my schedule very much. I have a lot of time in between my classes to study, hang out or do whatever I want."

Bradley Kulak
Age: 18
Hometown: Kenmore
Major: physical therapy or exercise science

Location, cost and reputation were the reasons Brad says he chose UB. And he's glad he did. "So far I'm loving every minute of school. The students are great, classes are going smooth and the overall atmosphere is awesome."

The only thing he'd change about his first two months of college, says Brad, who lives at home, is the amount of time he spends on campus. "I'd stay on campus more, since I'm a commuter, and explore more of what the campus has to offer."

He's a bit put off by UB's size, he says. "My classes (two of them) have over 300 people in them, but that's expected."

So far classes are going well. "I could be doing better, but I could be doing worse. The work isn't too bad, but it's only going to get harder." But he's confident that he will do well. "I take each day one by one and try to do my best. I am hoping to do well enough in my classes to make it into physical therapy. I have confidence in myself to do whatever I set out to do. I am also hoping to go on to graduate school.

Yvelisse Ortiz
Age: 17
Hometown: Rochester
Major: nursing

Yvelisse was drawn to UB for its nursing program, location and diversity. "It is a good school and there is a lot to participate in and a lot to learn from."

It's also a big school, which offers opportunities and drawbacks all at the same time. "There are a lot of opportunities for progress and there are a lot of activities and clubs and organizations to join that help expand your mind." But "it's been hard adjusting because UB is very large," she says.

"I'm used to having a lot of people to confide in, and here I don't trust too many people because everyone here is so different, so I don't know what to expect. In high school, you knew everyone and people are basically the same. I guess I'd say I'm lonely."

Adjusting to the demands of college also has been difficult, she says. "I never studied in school, so it's taking its toll now. I'm doing all right, but not as good I want to be doing."

Neene Owate
Age: 17
Hometown: Brooklyn
Major: medicinal pharmacology

The first two months at UB have been stressful, entertaining, interesting, eventful and weird, says Neene. "These are all ways I can explain UB, but I love it. I feel like all my dreams are slowly coming true. Anything I want can happen."

Neene chose UB because it's cheap, huge, prestigious and offers lots of opportunities, she says.

While there are a lot of familiar faces on campus (about 50 fellow students from her high school also are attending UB), she's enjoying meeting new people, as well as coping with the challenges of the academic curriculum and all the new experiences she's having.

Classes are going well. "I have terrific grades so far," although she says, she's had to adjust to the reading requirements and what she calls "active learning."

She also feels a tremendous sense of obligation to the future. "A lot of the Class of 2000 care about what happens in the world. We have the ability to send this country in the right direction, as long as we agree to take the challenge. We are being handed the earth and all its problems, and we need to hand it to the next generation in better condition than it was given to us. It would be a shame if we waste it."

Gabriel Santos-White
Age: 18
Hometown: Buffalo
Major: psychology/biology

Gabe has been acquainted with UB for quite some time. A graduate of UB's Minority Academic Achievement Program (MAAP) and Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP), he's also already done two years of research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and has taken classes for credit through Millard Fillmore College.

He chose UB because of its location, his familiarity with the campuses and the low cost. The first two months have been busy, and if there were anything he would change it would be "my first test and quiz grades."

As a commuter student, Gabe has found the most difficult adjustment at UB to be the free time between classes. His classes are "pretty easy. I took most of them in high school." Calculus has presented the most difficult academic adjustment. "I took AP in high school. I know what my teacher is doing, but not what he is saying. Easy things are taught differently," he says.

What has he enjoyed the most so far about UB? "Not having to get up at 6:30 a.m. anymore."

Steven Slackman
Age: 18
Hometown: Chestnut Ridge
Major: business

Business is in Steve's blood. He's owned his own company, Steve's Lawns Inc., since he was 14 years old. So when it came time to look for a college, he looked for something large with a good business school. UB met his needs.

"At first I thought that being such a large school, UB would have a cold feeling and that it would not be very personable. It was just the opposite. It is a very warm school and the staff is extremely personable and helpful. The social life is amazing, but at times it is hard to find time to study."

Learning to live with others has presented the greatest challenge. "Someone urinated in my bed and in my roommate's cologne," he says.

Academically, he's had to adjust to "extremely large class sizes and being just a number. I am now finally starting to get settled and study more. I'm only having a hard time in Psych 101."

Erica Smith
Age: 18
Hometown: Rochester
Major: physical therapy/Spanish

Erica decided to attend UB because it was "close to home but far enough that I can be on my own," she says.

The first two months have been "very fun and interesting. I've met people who could end up being longtime friends," she says. In fact, if there were anything she could change about these first two months, "I would have been more outgoing and met more people."

Her biggest challenges have been "living with people I don't know" and "studying more often to get the grades I want and need." Her classes are "OK, (but) sometimes they can be hard."

The future looks a little scary at times, Erica says, "but I think everything is going to be all right. I really think I'm going somewhere in life."

Tanya Stanger
Age: 18
Hometown: Merrick
Major: marketing

So far school has been exciting, difficult, tense, fun and overwhelming all at the same time, says Tanya. "There are times when I'm very unhappy here, but there are times when I am very happy with my choice. I realize what I have here and who I have here and I feel fortunate."

She chose UB because it's a good school academically, and affordable, but it's too big, Tanya says. At times she's glad she chose UB, "but sometimes I regret it. I need to feel that I am an asset to my school and when I am here that feeling is hard, mainly because it is such a large school. But UB offers so much, academically and socially. It is a fun school if you make it that way."

There's not much that Tanya would change about her first two months here. "I wish I would have realized that things could be a lot worse....I think school would have been easier if we were put into introductory freshman meeting groups to hear about other freshmen's feelings about UB, to know how other people are, where they are at, how they are feeling. A freshman group of 20 to 30 people can make getting adjusted a lot easier."

She enjoys her small classes and friends, but large lectures leave her feeling like "I am only a number here," she says. Overall, her classes are going "quite well. My English class is challenging. My large lectures are very difficult to concentrate in. I have learned to improve my studying habits, and realize that it is impossible to study and understand in groups."

Elana Steinhaus
Age: 18
Hometown: Brooklyn
Major: Undecided

The wide range of courses, low cost and reputation all influenced Elana's decision to attend UB.

"I chose UB because this school has a variety of majors, it is more affordable because it's a SUNY school, and because I have only heard good things about it. It has a beautiful campus as well. I'm glad that I chose UB because I realize that I'm going to get an excellent education here. Also, because this school is so large, I get a chance to meet new people each day."

While she's enjoying her independence, there have been personal adjustments to make. "The most difficult has been learning to be without my own bed, in my own room, with my family around," she says. "I also have not enjoyed the bus ride from South (Campus) to North (Campus) and back each day, or sharing a bathroom with 15 to 20 people."

Academically, she's going through changes, too. Elana says she has realized "that I will not be at the top of the class anymore. It is much more competitive and harder to keep up with all the work. I never had to study so much. Sometimes I wonder if I can make it here. I will have to work much harder just to be considered average."

Despite her concerns, she says she's doing well in her classes "so far. I only hope that I can keep it up."

Jason Toto
Age: 18
Hometown: St. James
Major: biology/pre-dentistry

The first two months have been hectic, but people have been surprisingly nice, says Jason. "The thing I have enjoyed most so far is how helpful and friendly the teachers and students have been in helping me make the transition from high school to college. Everybody, including myself, is looking for friends and for the most part everybody has been really nice and friendly."

He chose UB because it was "inexpensive and it offered my major." And so far he's glad he came here because "I have had a pretty good time, I have made a lot of new friends, and I'm doing well in my classes."

The downside to attending UB is he's eight hours from home, Jason says. But probably the most difficult adjustment he's had to make "is having to say goodbye to my friends and having to make all new ones. However, I have stayed in close contact with them, and my best friend from high school came to UB as well, which has helped in the transition."

He's had to set aside more time than before to write papers and do homework. "I also find myself staying up until the wee hours of the morning doing homework and studying," Jason said.

The work must be paying off. "For the most part, my classes are going really well. However, I'm taking World Civ as part of my Gen Ed requirements and it is hands down my worst class ever." The instructor doesn't speak English well "and teaches things that have absolutely nothing to do with the class or the readings. I also find myself doing more work for this class than any other."

Overall, Jason is pleased with UB. "As an incoming freshman, I was slightly intimidated by this school. Not because of its size, for I went to a rather large high school, but because I was afraid of being lost in the crowd. I was afraid of being a number and not being able to get involved in school like I was in high school. Nevertheless, so far aside from the amount of work that I must do, my college experience has gone quite well. I have met a number of people and joined a couple of clubs and teams. As for the rest of the year, I look forward to getting more involved in the school and being able to think of it as my home away from home."

Sean Webb
Age: 18
Hometown: Newark, N.Y.
Major: business management

He's made a lot of great friends, and the night life is "awesome." In fact, Sean says, probably the only thing he'd change about his first two months at UB is the number of times he's moved. "I started on South (Campus), moved twice, and here I am now on North (Campus). I enjoy it up here a lot."

He chose UB because "some of my friends are already here, plus I love the campus."

His classes are "OK. I am trying to adjust to them, but they are all right," but the studying he needs to do has been an adjustment. "The late-night studies and pulling all-nighters to study for two tests on the next day" are the things he's enjoyed the least about UB so far.

The first two months have been "very full," says Sean, who says he tries to maintain a part-time job in addition to keeping up with his school work.

But the rigors of studying are offset by the people he's come in contact with. In fact, what he's enjoyed the most about UB is "meeting tons of people. I feel that I have made a lot of good friends."

Sara Wozniak
Age: 18
Hometown: Vestal
Major: physical therapy

Sara has wanted to attend UB all her life, she says. "Ever since I was about four. I have family here and have spent every single holiday in Buffalo. I know my way around, and if I ever needed anything, someone is just five minutes away." So it's no surprise to hear that she's happy at UB.

Her first two months have been busy, but she wouldn't change a thing, except maybe to drag a couple of friends from home to school with her. "But that's it," she says.

She's enjoyed meeting new people, and even has put together an intramural softball team. But "I wish I had more time to keep in touch with my old friends and my family. I miss them." In fact, the most difficult part about UB has been "not seeing my family every day, especially my sister."

Sara's classes are going OK, although they're a bit on the hard side, she says. She's found that she needs to put a lot more time into studying and has to do a lot more work on her own.

Margaret Zak
Age: 18
Hometown: New York City
Major: architecture

Maggie wouldn't change a thing about her first two months at UB, she says. It's been "a definite learning experience, interesting, stressful, fun and weird," but she wouldn't want to change it.

Like many of her peers, she chose UB because of its cost and reputation, and because she "wanted to get away from home." In addition, UB offered an excellent architecture program, and a lot of students from her high school came here, which, she says, helped her become even more comfortable with her decision.

She has enjoyed dorm life the best, so far, "because my floor is a bunch of great, nice, interesting people." But the food, she says, "sucks."

Her classes "could be a little better," she admits. "English class, mainly. Architecture classes are challenging, math is an easy 'A,' UB 101 is interesting," she says.

The future, Maggie says, seems "bleak," and "doesn't look too cheerful or full of opportunities, but no matter what, I'll survive. I always find a way. I hope to have a profession I enjoy and to live comfortably."

Maggie Zak, left, and Neene Owate have been best friends since high school in Brooklyn.

David Fier, left, and Chris Fedorczak are deejays at WRUB, the student radio station.