Because of the routine that has become syllabus week, it is really easy to pretend you haven't started school and shove the syllabus at the bottom of your backpack, never to be seen again. It is easy to skip that first class because "It's just syllabus week and they posted the syllabus online." It is easy to sit on your phone the entire mini class period. But when you do these things, it is easy to get behind on the first day. Yes. You can get behind on the first day. We are all guilty of not taking syllabus week seriously. While I definitely agree that it is probably the easiest and most fun of the 15-17 weeks of school in a semester, there is a way to actually get ahead of the game and make the rest of your weeks easier as well.
I will go over some common "oopsies" and how to make the most of the situations.
1) Not knowing what to do with the syllabus: Words cannot express how important this 7 page document is. As much as we would all like to pretend that the professors who don't talk about big assignments don't exist, they do. They put dates on the syllabus that are worth 20% of our grade and don't bring them up until the due date. You don't want to lose 20% because a piece of paper was at the bottom of your backpack. There are few different ways to keep your syllabus. I know some people scan them into their computers. I personally keep it with mine in my binders with my class stuff. I also write down all the important dates in my planner. But Kennedy, dates change! What do I do then? White out, my friends. Some people keep all of their syllabuses in a folder in their backpack. I like this idea but I would just prefer to keep it with my class stuff.
2) Skipping syllabus week classes all together: This is the number one worst decision you could make. But Kennedy, my professor posted the syllabus online already. I don't need to hear her/him talk about it, too. Okay. Great. But you don't know if that professor will go over actual class material. Or what if they assign homework on the first day. Or if they are going to change dates. Or any other thing a professor may do. Most importantly, what if the professor says "Don't buy the textbook." How would you like to save an extra $200? Go to class. You really need to go and just hope that the professor understands how precious syllabus week is. A lot of information gets doled out in that first class. You need to be there. Have I said that enough yet? Pro Tip: Show up ready to learn. Professors notice this and will remember it. May not seem like a big deal, but when you're bargaining for extra credit or being able to turn in a late paper, it becomes a big deal.
3) Cell phones: I get that it is the first week of classes so we are all setting up coffee dates with our sorority sisters we haven't seen and figuring out what club you're going to join with your roommate and we basically just need to be able to contact people at all times. However, this is also a week of first impressions. Our teachers need to see we are ready and prepared. Our classmates need to see we are paying attention. This is more important than you think. Are you more willing to lend your beautiful, well organized, informative notes to someone who is on their phone through the whole class or to someone who also tries hard? Someone who shows up late and snoozes or someone who is (mostly) always in class? But Kennedy, I don't plan on missing notes. I will always be in class. You never know when you are going to get sick, have a family emergency, or even accidentally sleep in. Do not sit on your phone in class. Not only will the professor take notice and remember, but so will your classmates and it may leave you shit out of luck when you miss the review for the midterm. Just put your phone on silent so the buzzing doesn't tempt you. You can text about recruitment after class.
What are some lessons you have learned about syllabus week?
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