Every first day of school is filled with introductions, syllabi, and ice breakers. However, after starting my junior year at WSU, the first day of school is no longer filled with the awkwardness and confusion of freshman or sophomore year. Instead of having 300 student lectures in subjects unrelated to my major, my days are now filled with 25 person classes about material actually related to my career.
1. You already know your way around campus
For the most part, your days of getting lost on campus are over. While you still may get lost every once in a while, you know where the major buildings on campus are and the easiest ways to get to them.
2. You get to take classes that actually relate to your major
Classes suddenly become so much more interesting and bearable when they actually relate to what you want to do with your life. You days are no longer filled with useless UCOREs that have absolutely nothing to do with your major.
3. You see people from your program in your classes
Nothing beats going into class on the first day and realizing that you actually have a friend in that class or at least recognize someone. It gives you that little reassurance that you actually signed up for the right classes.
4. You recognize a lot of your teachers and know which ones you like and which ones to avoid
If you've had a professor once or even multiple times before there is a chance you'll recognize one another. By this point, you've also discovered which professors you like and dislike and are able to tailor your schedule around theirs.
5. Same goes for classes, you know which to take and which to dodge
Every major has at least one required class that is surprisingly difficult. However, by your junior year, you probably have a good idea of what classes are an easy A and which classes have high failure rates.
6. You're close to getting your degree
You've already completed a couple years of school and only have a little bit longer before you graduate. By the time you're an upperclassman the first day of school no longer marks the end of summer but a sign that your degree is nearly complete.
7. You know not to unwrap all your books before you absolutely must
The most painful thing in the world is opening up a textbook only to never use and finding out that you can't return it because it was opened. By the time you're an upperclassman, you've likely discovered that you should wait to open your textbooks until it is absolutely necessary.
8. You don't sweat the little things like what you're going to wear to class
There is nothing quite like seeing freshmen dressed to the nines with their hair and makeup done the first day of class, while upperclassmen who rolled out of bed half an hour earlier rock running shorts and Nikes.
