Trumpets sounded, batons flew and SMU cheerleaders and pom squad members pumped up the crowd as more than 1,300 first-year students headed to Mustang Corral Thursday morning.

Freshman Caroline Bartelsmeyer is enthusiastic about the retreat after the pep rally.

“That was fun in there, that got us pumped,” she said.

Students learned important cheers and chants in Moody Coliseum in preparation for SMU events, such as football games, before heading to their designated Corral sites.

After the pep rally, first-year students headed to three different Corral sites where they will spend the next three days with classmates and faculty getting to know each other and becoming familiar with SMU traditions.

Freshman Chris Carrillo has heard about the lighting of the candles and is ready to take part in that special SMU tradition.

Though many students are ready to kick-off their college experience, some students are worried about the current heat wave in Texas.

“We have heard it’s hot and kind of miserable, but you kind of bond over the misery,” Bartelsmeyer said.

First time Corral leader Tom Chapline is ready to get the weekend started. 

“I’m excited, it’s going to be great,” he said. 

Students and leaders will return to SMU on Saturday after par-taking in Corral Olympics, sponge relays and Mustang trivia games.