As the August heat scorches down on Lexington, Ky, cars line up outside of the University of Kentucky dorms.

Incoming freshmen haul boxes and bags into the rooms they will be living in for the next nine months, marking for many students the first time they are living away from home.

While some packed only basic necessities, others, like freshman nursing major Ellie Fraley, arrived with carefully chosen belongings to help bring a sense of comfort into the new space.

“I brought a stuffed pillow of my dog,” Fraley said. “I just love my dog and wanted to keep her close.”

While Fraley sought comfort from her beloved pet, others brought things that reminded them of those they grew up with.

For freshman marketing major Mitchell Cazenas, the connection to home comes from playing video games with his friends.

“I brought my Xbox down because I can play with my hometown friends,” Cazenas said. “It keeps me in touch with them.”

Chatting with friends from miles away can ease the nerves of starting college, the consoles serving as bridges to home.

According to freshman nursing major Hannah Deannpatton, a keepsake from a television show served as the best way to remind her of home.

“I have a stuffed animal that’s a vampire from (The) Vampire Diaries because it’s my favorite show,” Deannpatton said.

To Deannpatton, it’s not just a character or a stuffed animal, but a piece of her home that helps ease the weight of unfamiliar surroundings, reminding her of who she is and who she has become.