This past week was syllabus week here at Mississippi State, and let me tell you it was a pretty rough week. Now don't get me wrong, in comparison to mid-semester or finals week it was a breeze, but it was the kind of breeze that smells bad.
This week at Mississippi State I embarked on the journey that is Sophomore Year. And so far it has been an emotional rollercoaster. However, I still managed to have a fun week.
1. Syllabi
They are the best and worst thing to ever happen to me. On one hand they outline the entire semester, and on the other hand they outline the entire semester. It's both relaxing and terrifying. Some professors make their syllabi very detailed, which makes me very happy; while other professors make their syllabi very vague, which makes me want to die. There is no in between.
2. Finding your classes
Whether you're a freshman, a fifth year senior, or anywhere in between, you are more than likely going to have to go to a building and/or room you've never been to before. While it has never happened to me (thank god; knock on wood) I've heard horror stories of people going to the wrong class and having to either a. get up in front of hundreds of other students and leave or b. sit through a class that isn't their own. Either way is terrifying.
3. New Professors
So far I've liked all of my professors so this has been a fun time getting to know them this past week. (Especially my Spanish III professor, he's a hoot.) But some people have really awful professors and we must all pray for them and their grades and their sanity. Any way you slice it, you have to learn a totally different style of teaching and you also have to learn how that professor likes their assignments to be done. Also, some professors are harder than others and figuring out which professors are awesome and which ones are a little less awesome can sometimes be a little frustrating.
4. Traffic
Traffic is disgusting this time of year ... and really all year tbh, but you know. It makes you wonder why you even have a car because what's the point in driving somewhere on campus if it takes you 30 minutes to get there?! I mean seriously. It's absolutely ridiculous.
5. Parking
Now you're probably thinking to yourself, "self, aren't traffic and parking the same thing?" No, no they are not. They are so different that I had to make a whole other paragraph just to express my feelings of hatred. There is nowhere to park.
6. People
People are very complex creatures. On one hand I love them with all of my heart and soul, but on the other hand I hate them so much I can't stand it. There's a lot of people in a relatively small area who come from various places with unique backgrounds. This is honestly one of my favorite things about State. The diversity here is actually really amazing. Sometimes people get annoying, but it's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine.
7. Stress
Speaking of everything being fine, there's nothing like a brand new semester to get your stress levels on the rise. While there's not much going on, there's a lot going on. As a freshman, it's kind of a culture shock as syllabus week unfolds because it's just completely different from high school. As a sophomore, personally, I'm not much better. I know what's going on, but it's still like wtf.
8. No Homework (kinda)
No homework, except in some classes. It's a weird mix of doing absolutely nothing and doing literally everything ever. For example, in some classes I already have been assigned projects, while in others I haven't even looked at a textbook. It really just depends on the class tbh. Like professors, some classes are harder than others, and finding out which ones are which is really ridiculous sometimes.
9. Sleep
If you know anything about me, you know that I love to sleep. It's probably my favorite thing to do other than eat lmao. Because it is just the beginning of the semester, I have been able to take at least one nap a day so far. Isn't that the best thing you've ever heard in your entire life? Thought so.
10. Friendship
This week, even though sometimes it was awful, was a great time for friendship. I got to see all of my old friends and spend quality time with my new friends. No matter what happens, I know I've surrounded myself with a good group of people and that I can survive anything that this year throws at me.
So to Syllabus Week I say, good riddance.
Bye love you bye.
All my love, Shan
