It begins today.

More than 1,600 first-year students, many with color-coded shopping lists will step into freshly-cleaned classrooms to begin their academic careers.

So yesterday, many sat in Harvard Yard, thumbing through course catalogs.

Many said they were excited about the start of classes.

"I have three of four classes picked out," said Lionel resident Andrew Goldstone '04, who said he plans to concentrate in physics.

Goldstone, whose schedule already includes Physics 16: "Mechanics and Special Relativity" and Math 25a: "Honors Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra," said he feels confident that college courses will be more interesting than high school classes.

"These are classes in subjects that I'm interested in,'' he said. "I'm especially excited about Physics 16, because I visited it when I was a pre-frosh and it was great."

Several other first-years said taking classes would be a welcome change from the busy pace of orientation week.

Thayer Hall's Kate P. McDavitt '04, who arrived early for pre-season field hockey, said she was looking forward to a change of routine.

"I've been here for a month and I haven't been doing much," McDavitt said. "I don't know what to expect, but I'm happy classes are starting."

Other first-years said they had mixed feelings about the start of classes.

Laura Wareham '03-04, McDavitt's roommate, took a year off to work as a writing instructor in England, a research assistant in Australia and as a research assistant in Hawaii.

She said she was both nervous and excited about being in a classroom again.

"I'm excited because I'll be in an academic environment again, but also nervous because I'm a little out of practice," Wareham said.

Like Wareham, Hurlbut resident Rim Abida '04 said she was nervous about classes, in addition to feeling confused.

"There are so many classes you can take," Abida said. "I just hope I can find stuff that I really like."

Abida and her pod-mate Catherine A. Honeyman '04 spent yesterday afternoon in the yard reviewing their course selections.

Several first-years said they would celebrate their last class-free day.

Agendas included going out for ice cream, doing laundry and sleeping.

Saurabh H. Sanghvi '04, of Matthews Hall, had an unusual party plan.

"I'm going to a wild proctor meeting," he said of the mandatory event last night.