Sorry professors, here's ten thoughts that cross the mind of every single student during syllabus week. Students may even be bold enough to voice these thoughts much to professors' annoyance.
1. Is class really going to last the full allotted time?
Tuesdays and Thursdays seem to last forever because of the lengthy hour and fifty-minute time frame. A question that almost always gets asked on the first day of class is, will class ever be let out early? Here's to hoping the answer is yes.
2. Is attendance mandatory?
Most students tend to avoid classes with mandatory attendance. No one wants to be docked a letter grade for an undocumented sick day or accidentally sleeping past an alarm. Even if attendance isn't mandatory, students still think about how many classes they can miss and still pass.
3. Do I really have to do ALL the reading assignments?
College classes have a lot of reading and well, not everyone likes to read. Almost every college student tries to do the least amount of reading to be able to complete assessments. Not the best idea, but it happens.
4. Is this course going to be hard?
This thought is usually the first to cross a student's mind on syllabus day. The first day of class means attempting to read your professor and their course to see how challenging it will be.
5. The required textbook is $200?! What?!
Okay...is this textbook really necessary? That's a lot of money for just one book. Problem is, it probably is necessary and is so expensive because the book comes with an online access code or at least, that's been my personal experience.
6. I can't afford to take this class...sorry.
That sassy thought we all have after we hear how much our textbook costs. Here's a tip! Find a friend taking the same class as you and share the book and split the cost! It might be a tad inconvenient passing a book back and forth but it can save you some cash.
7. I wonder if the professor really means that they don't accept late work...
Frankly, most students end up testing out this theory at some point in the semester.
8. Ha, the professor says I can't procrastinate and do well in his/her class.
Every student struggles with procrastination at some point in the semester, if not the whole semester long.
9. Is it raining outside?
That point on syllabus day where all you can do is look out the window.
10. Why am I taking this class again? Can I drop it?
Sometimes, syllabus day is just a little too intimidating. It's usually information overload and may leave you wanting to drop the course. Unfortunately, you may need the class to meet graduation requirements.
