After the first week of classes, there’s a lot of time to reflect on what you experienced and decompress. Transferring is incredibly difficult so that adds to the difficulty of syllabus week. Even though you are adjusting to new food, people and surroundings, you also feel oddly at home. That’s how you know you made the right decision in schools. After my rocky first year of school, it’s nice to actually enjoy classes and just the general atmosphere of school.

Syllabus week is pretty uneventful for classes. Many professors elect to do icebreakers and other uncomfortable activities. Despite this, you also get a taste of how your courses are going to progress and whether you honestly feel that you will learn all you need from that professor. Syllabus week also leaves the possibility of adding or dropping classes and adjusting your schedule to fit your own needs. Your needs should be important as you decide what you want your semester to look like, meaning don’t stay in a boring class because that cute guy may talk to you. Instead, take the class you find interesting.

The first week of classes is a giant mess in terms of friends because many people cling to roommates or high school friends—anyone that they already know. It’s scary to be away from home for the first time alone so finding comfort in familiarity is a big thing. It’s also not necessarily a bad thing. It gives you time to decide what you want in a friend group and if you and your roommates are compatible. It introduces you to new possibilities of clubs, as many schools have activity fairs or similar events.

The beginning of a semester is tough but it definitely is important and sets the tone for the rest of your year or several years. You don’t learn a lot in classes but you learn a lot outside of it and sometimes that’s just as important as your core courses.