This time is quickly approaching college students if they are not back in school: syllabus week. For some college students, it's the best week for the following things: seeing if I really need this textbook for class, first impression of the professor, and a short description on what the class is going to be like. It's like a breather, or in my opinion a time for adjustment. It might be a little hard adjusting back into the flow of college, but you will get that groove back. Some faster than others.
For textbooks, this is the main thing that students are thinking about. Textbooks aren't cheap, and some students want to know if this textbook is required for the class before they spend their life savings on it. Even if students find their textbook to rent on other sites like Amazon or Chegg, is it worth buying it and hopefully receiving 100% refund on the book when you realize that you don't need it?
Another thing about syllabus week is that you can decide on if you are going to like this class or not. Depending if this class has more than one section, you will probably switch into that section if the class not filled up. If not, the option to either take it next semester or keep the class may become hard to decide depending on what your outlook of the class is.
Sometimes the decision of you staying in that class also depends on the professor. If the professor is moving too fast for you, even after you tell him/her could she possibly slow down a little, maybe you should either seek tutoring, ask your classmates for help, or just drop the class. The professor may come off as too strict for you, so that may also be a sign to drop the class as well, but try to push through and at least a week before the final day to drop the class without a 'W' on your transcript, see if this is the professor for you
What I like mostly about syllabus week is that it is mostly a chilled time before the hard work and preparations for quizzes start to come in. My advice for what I got when I started my first semester is get to know your professor. Actually go to their office hours when you need help or just to say hi. Getting to know your professor is a good way to make connections with them, especially when you need recommendations for an internship. With the class you are taking, if you want to drop, remind yourself if this class is for your major, minor, or is it just for fun. If it's for fun, maybe you should drop it, but if it's for your major or minor, you will have to find time in these four years to retake the class.
My syllabus week is less than a week away now, so I'll be back in my dorm very shortly. I didn't get to do some things that I wanted to do over winter break, but I can still make time to do that when I'm back on campus with my new schedule. Hope everyone has a great first week of college or a great break as you come back to campus.
