With classrooms filling up this morning just like the town has in the past week, it's easy to tell school is in session.

The locals have already started complaining about the lack of parking spaces and the late-night parties, but for some, this is the beginning of the end of their stay at Chico State University.

Dave Brown, a senior at Chico State, not only had to prepare to get back into school mode, but had to endure a rush as an employee at the Associate Students Bookstore on campus. He said it was last week when he started seeing the influx of book buyers.

"The big rush came Wednesday with the freshmen and a lot of their parents," he said. "It's probably going to peak next week around Thursday or Friday."

Adding to the confusion and the long lines was the loss of TextLink, Chico State's online book-buying feature, which as of press time Sunday was still not working. With more students having to come to the store and select books instead of picking them up already bundled, more bodies will fill the rows of books for sale.

"It's going to be hectic and chaotic," Brown said.

Brown said many people are excited about finishing college and moving on, but he would rather enjoy his relaxed life as a student.

"I like all the benefits that go along with school, like health care and things," he said.

While Brown spent his summer in Chico and will be making a smooth transition, senior Nina Manke returned to Chico last week after a year of living abroad in San Sebastian, Spain. The two towns are nothing alike, she said.

"It was kind of strange (coming back). I was used to worldly cities that are bigger. Spain doesn't have any college towns," she said. "I think it will be hard to get back into it."

Living directly behind the Delta Si Delta house, Manke said it was a bit of a shock to see the outbuilding burned and even more surprising to see the remnants of the Alpha Gamma Rho house, both victims of arson.

"I just drove by and said, 'What the heck?' " she said.

As for attending classes, she said it will be difficult to adjust to her new schedule. In Spain, she attended one class a day for four hours.

"School is a little more structured here. Back in Spain you only have one class and you get more done," she said. "It's not three different classes in one day."

Along with the students returning to school are those just arriving for the first time. As they venture to the streets to experience the party scene, many are introduced to Chico's laws. Patrol Sgt. Ford Porter said many students and visitors learn the rules the hard way.

Among the rules commonly broken, Porter said minor in possession, drunk in public and urinating in public come up the most. Of the alcohol-related violations, drunk in public can cost $250, a minor in possession runs $306 and a DUI carries a $1,500 fine.

While students are out roaming the streets going bar to bar or party-hopping, some choose to use the streets as a toilet. Porter said getting caught urinating in public is not only a bad habit, but can cost nearly $500 in fines.

"I think everyone knows it's illegal, but people think it's not that big of a deal," he said. "It's a disgusting thing."

Even those who aren't drinking make mistakes, like driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Porter said it is a good indication if someone is under the influence of alcohol, but oftentimes it's just someone getting used to the streets of Chico.

"Let's assume there is nothing more to it, they will probably just get a ticket or a warning," he said. "Typically they learn pretty fast. You have to pay attention."

He said it is too early to tell if this is going to be a "party" year and a lot depends on the attitudes of the current students.

"You can have calm years and all of a sudden it just goes crazy. That group that year will just party more."

All in all, Porter said he isn't out to bust people and doesn't mind if they enjoy themselves.

"You can drink and have a good time. Go out, have a good time, just be responsible," he said.