Syllabus week is all together underrated. Despite all the best know theories on how syllabus week is an easy, go with the flow, and laid back way to transfer from your high school habits into being a real life adult... it just isn't that simple. I actually think that going into my classes and obtaining my syllabus' were more of an anxiety trigger than thinking about finals week. But after a few deep breaths, a small panic attack and reminding myself it is too late to run, I worked through. So here is to all the upcoming babies and a little advice on how to survive the "easy week" of college.
1. FIND YOUR CLASSES AHEAD OF TIME
Yes, this will take extra time and maybe even be a long and tiring process but get out your schedule, and find the buildings. I screen-shotted my schedule and set it as my background. Then, with the help of my parents and their map reading skills I started at my dorm and walked my daily schedules in order from start to finish. Doing this will save you so much stress and allow you to know not only where your going, but how long it takes to get there. When your first real day of school rolls around, you will be grateful for this dress rehearsal.
2. BE EARLY
College is no playground. GO TO CLASS! THE FIRST ONE! (I know all the upperclassmen say it doesn't matter if you go but do not listen to them). Your classes will be bigger, scarier and full of people you do not know. Getting to your classes 10 minutes early will allow you time to find the right classroom, enter it with lots of seat options and be less intimidated. it will give you a chance to sit in the front (ALWAYS SIT TOWARD THE FRONT) and relax a couple minutes before jumping into everything.
3. COLORED PENS AND A CALANDER
Some teachers will go over the syllabus in class with you, some will print it out, some will barely mention it. Either way, you will have one and my gosh are they important. Whether its 3 or 15 pages it can be a little overwhelming so if they do not print you a copy, print one out and make sure you go through and read each one full out. When you have them all take them back to your dorm and pick a colored pen for each class. With those pens color coordinate each class into your planner by following the homework, quizzes and test dates in each syllabus. Then, pick a color for your finals and record them all down. It seems a little excessive and may overwhelm you how much your syllabus entails but once class swings into full gear you will be grateful that you can pop open your planner to the day and see all the homework and due dates so you never forget a thing!
4. MEET YOUR TEACHERS
Some will come across as scary, mean, ect. but I promise you all teachers appreciate when students take the time to introduce themselves. After each class go up to the professor and tell them your name and ask them any questions you have (they are there to help!!!). They know freshman are making a big shift and if you can maintain a relationship with your professors they will always be happy to point you in the right direction.
5. DON'T FREAK OUT
Finally, my last and maybe most important piece of advise is, do not freak out. It is a complete waste of time and energy to have a meltdown because it seems to be just too much. College is a HUGE shift and it takes time to get into the swing of things but you will figure it out. Just remember you are smart, you are here because you can do this and take a deep breath. Calling home for comfort is OK and thats what your friends and family back home are for, but you have so much to look forward to and Syllabus week is just one week of the next year of your life so enjoy it.
