Then, men known as Shabiha appeared, he said.

The Shabiha is a group of typically hulking men who are regarded as the shadowy arm of the government and are infamous for their strong-arm tactics.

The men began shouting speeches praising President Bashar al-Assad.

"Just 15 guys chanting for Assad," Simon said.

While parents were likely learning whether their kids were dead or alive, the international community did what it has done virtually since the outbreak of violence in Syria -- issue condemnations of the bloodshed.

"The United States is appalled by the Syrian regime's deadly attack yesterday near the University of Aleppo, which reportedly killed more than 80 people and injured more than 150 people," said U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland in a written statement issued Wednesday.

The United States understood through eyewitness accounts that "regime planes launched aerial strikes in the vicinity of university facilities," it continued.

"We condemn any attack on unarmed civilians and continue to emphasize that those responsible for unlawful killings and other violations of international law will be identified and held accountable."

The United Nations posted a response on its website on Wednesday.

"Deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian targets constitutes a war crime. Such heinous attacks are unacceptable and must stop immediately," a spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said.

More than 60,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria, and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced since the uprising against al-Assad began in March 2011, according to the United Nations.

On Thursday, at least 123 people across the country died, according to local committees recording such information.

Anti-government activist Abu Rami told CNN that 13 families were killed in Homs. The alleged massacre occurred in the farming village of Husweyeh with a population of about 1,500. Rami said the families killed were Sunnis, suggesting that the killers were motivated by sect differences. Sunnis, Christians and Alawites in the village were spared, he said.

Rami feels that the lack of military action by the international community has given al-Assad "the green light...to do whatever to end" the uprising against him.

Thousands of "Syrian souls" will pay for that, he said.

Back at Aleppo University, Simon tells CNN that the bombings have changed him and other young people who might have demonstrated to bring change.

Now, it's different. They have lost so much. So now they are going to fight fearlessly with everything.

Classes are out for two days, he said.

"I wish we didn't have to wait two more days," he said. "I want to go back to school now."