The key to success is being prepared.

A sophomore who transferred to Texas Woman’s University from the University of North Texas says organizing and getting things done early saved her a lot of hassle Monday.

DRC/Al Key

Students stroll around the Texas Woman’s University campus in Denton. Monday was the first day of class for the fall semester at the university.

View larger More photos Photo store

“I haven’t had any bad experiences. Everything is pretty much going my way,” said ZaShae Banks. “It’s pretty smooth.”

Monday marked the first day for students enrolled for this year’s fall semester. A line snaked around a portion of the bookstore in the Student Union as students waited to purchase textbooks. By noon, it was difficult for people to find a vacant table in the union.

Those outside experienced a drenching surprise. Most students, who were dressed in shorts and sandals and without an umbrella, shielded themselves from the rain with campus newspapers and their backpacks. The rain was soon replaced by steaming heat.

University officials said that although enrollment figures will not be official until the 12th day of classes, TWU is on track to see an increase in enrollment for the ninth consecutive year.

It’s projected that approximately 14,150 students were welcomed to classes for the fall semester at the university’s three campuses.

That figure would increase student enrollment growth by 6 percent.

Richard Nicholas, TWU vice president for student life, said enrollment growth varies with different parts of the university’s population. However it is clear that “freshman enrollment will break all records,” he said.

Why? Everything from an influx in beginning college students and additional scholarship offerings to marketing and the number of high schools in close proximity are feeding into the higher population patterns, officials say.

Recruitment efforts and community outreach about financial aid are other possible reasons behind the increased population, Nicholas said.

The influx in students was evident to those who attempted to find a place to park on campus.

“They overpopulated the whole school so there’s no parking for anyone,” said Kristin McCoy, a third-year student.

Snagging a parking space at prior times, she said, would generally take five to 10 minutes. But Monday, it was more like 30 minutes.

To alleviate some parking concerns, the university opened a temporary unpaved lot east of Jones Hall on the former site of the Reagan Houston residence hall.

The lot is open to all students, faculty and staff and offers 120 parking spots. TWU expects to construct a paved lot on the site later in the year.

Banks said parking had not been a problem for her as she arrived early on campus to map out the locations of this semester’s courses.

“When it comes to business, I have to get it done,” she said. “I’m an ‘on time’ type of person and I plan for my semester to go the same way.”

Operations at the financial aid office ran smoothly Monday, said Janine Gann, associate director of financial aid.

The flow of students coming in to check on aid was light, she said, because the university had an increase in the number of people who applied early and received their funds in time for classes.

TWU received 15,491 applicants for aid this year, she said, and has awarded 11,062 students financial assistance, which totaled more than $132.2 million.

The university also is seeing an increase this year in students seeking on-campus housing.

Amanda Simpson, a university spokeswoman, said capacity for on-campus housing is 1,650, and currently 1,776 have signed up.

Those who have not yet been assigned to a dorm are being offered temporary housing in dormitory housing facilities and local hotels, she said.

This year, students seemed more prepared than before, at least one TWU employee said.

“When I opened the doors, there was a line of people waiting to get in,” said Spencer Acadia, a library assistant, about the unexpected line of students at 7:30 a.m.

“I think people are eager to get started on their classes,” he said.

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .