Keeping cool proved a difficult task for thousands of Kansas University students as they returned to classes Thursday.

As temperatures reached triple digits for the fourth consecutive day, little refuge could be found outside or inside the classrooms.

Heather Dorssom, a junior from Olathe, said her class in Wescoe “still had the heat on.”

“I’m just trying to sit in the shade, read the newspaper and get to classes that are air-conditioned,” Dorssom said as she sat on a shaded bench between Wescoe and Budig halls.

But Kasey Cullors, a Wichita senior, found a nice spot in the Underground, a food court in Wescoe Hall, where the air conditioning was on full blast.

“I’m trying to stay inside as much as possible,” he said.

Jeannie Doering and Kathy Mason, who both work in the office of the vice provost for Student Success, were manning a KU information table in front of Wescoe. They were handing out cool drinks along with campus maps and information on bus routes.

“We took the early shift so we’ll be back inside once it gets really hot,” Doering said.

Mason said she was glad the approximately 25,000 students were back.

“It feels more like a real KU campus,” she said.

Despite the heat, most students were ready to be back.

“My plan is to not party as much first semester so I can study more,” said Irina Stolyar, an Overland Park freshman. “I figure if I can get through that, I should be OK.”