There wasn’t this much to think about when Mom did the laundry.

For the more than 4,300 freshmen entering life at Boston University, everything from the Guest Policy to the lack of parental supervision helped create unique challenges in the first week of the next four (or more) years of their lives.

College of Arts and Sciences freshman Stella Shimamoto said she was still uncertain about many aspects of college life when she arrived at BU.

“My first week has been hectic,” said Shimamoto, a Warren Towers resident. “I’m not sure of my way around and confused about my dorm. It’s big and not organized.”

The cost of textbooks was one of the biggest surprises, said College of General Studies freshman Ekaterina Valiotis.

“There’s so much to do and remember and so many books to buy,” Valiotis said. “I spent over $800 for one semester’s worth of books, and they were all used.”

John Thompson, a CGS freshman, said that he was impressed by the camaraderie of the freshman experience.

“Everybody is experiencing a new lifestyle together, so it’s exciting,” Thompson said. “You meet people just like you who are trying to grow up.”

CGS freshman Marty Caballero said he feels he is not alone in thinking that adjusting to college life is surprisingly easy.

“The workload’s not too bad, and the food was surprisingly good,” Caballero said. “Classes so far have been easy, but it is only the first week.”

CAS freshman Samer Saliba said that being a commuter student can further complicate the first-year experience.

“It’s harder than normal to meet people,” Saliba said. “The worst part is that some people already had friends and don’t really want to meet new people.”

Both Thompson and Shimamoto said they were stressed at times during the past week.

“Having 4,000 kids from different parts of the world in the same place makes for a volatile environment,” Thompson said.

Shimamoto said she was having the most difficulty with BU’s size.

“I’m not sure I can make it through the first week, much less my first year,” Shimamoto said. “I’m from a small private school, so it’s pretty incredible here. I’ve never seen this many people in one place in my life.”

Thompson said that one of the worst aspects of the first week was getting used to the Guest Policy.

“I’m a legal adult and should be able to have sex with a girl if I want,” Thompson said. “The school is here to guide, not to be parents.”

Valiotis said she was most surprised by the lack of soap in the community restrooms in Claflin Hall.

“I’m from a boarding school, so I’m used to dorms,” Valiotis said. “I just can’t believe there’s no soap in the bathroom. Even public restrooms have soap and paper towels.”

But CGS freshman Jessica Low said that her first week went smoothly because she didn’t know what college would be like.

“I didn’t really have any expectations, so I’m not disappointed or surprised,” Low said. “I love being in Boston full-time.”

Anh Ngyuen, a School of Management sophomore, said he felt more at home this year because he knew what to expect.

“It’s a different feeling,” Ngyuen said. “I know more where to go. As a freshman, you know nothing.”