With the end of winter break, we're all mentally preparing for the semester ahead. Syllabus week isn't much to worry about, but it still has its ups and downs. Here are a few things that we all experience on our first week back after break!
1. Scoping out your new classmates
Which is the kid that coughs constantly? Better avoid sitting next to them, unless you want to catch a cold. How about the person who is always eating smelly food? Or the distracting one, who keeps trying to talk to you while you're taking notes? Syllabus week isn't just about figuring out your professor, it's about figuring out your classmates too. With so many new people around, it's good to figure out who are the quality study buddies and who will just end up leeching off your work.
2. Panicking about your future workload
When your professor starts listing all the requirements, projects, and papers that you're going to have to deal with, it's incredibly overwhelming. Just because nothing is due yet doesn't mean you're at peace with your future of all-nighters.
3. Feeling like you have no clue what you're doing
Once the syllabus has been read through, your professor might start some class related discussion. While your brain is still stuck in break mode, everyone else is raising their hand and participating. Somehow, you already feel behind!
4. Internally celebrating when someone you know is in your class
Having someone to rely on in a difficult class can make all the difference. Whether you share notes, proof read each other's papers, or just complain together, knowing someone can make class go from feeling like hell to heaven.
5. Wondering when the next break is
Is it ever too soon to start planning for your next break? Nope. Who cares if it's the first day of classes?
6. Asking the professor random stuff in an effort to make them remember your name
When your professor has a bunch of classes and even more students, it can be a struggle for you to get them to remember you. Making sure they can put a face to your name can make a huge difference with extensions and recommendations. It feels silly to find reasons to raise your hand or talk to them after class, but it really does help.
7. Getting hopelessly lost
Freshman or senior, you probably have at least one class in a building that you've never been to. Get ready for being embarrassingly, hopelessly lost at one point or another.
8. Planning for your next nap
Winter break has undoubtedly left you with a terrible sleep schedule, so naps are a must. Sometimes the only way to make an 8 a.m. bearable is if you remind yourself that you're taking a nap right after.
9. Feeling homesick
It's tough to go from seeing your family everyday to once in awhile. Homesickness always feels the worst at the beginning of the semester, so you just have to hang in there and remind yourself that you can call home anytime.
10. Meeting back up with your whole squad
Getting everyone together during break can be difficult with everyone's schedules and varying hometowns. Once you're back, though, you and your squad get to all unite once again!
