Syllabus Week: Is It Really That Common?

I’m sure that many first-year students have heard about the legendary “syllabus week” that is supposed to mark the beginning of classes. It’s the week when students can take it easy, the week when they can just sit back and relax while their professor goes over the syllabus. I suspect that some first-years came to St. Lawrence University with the expectation that this is how the first week would be. And I am sure that many of them were disappointed. 

I can remember my first year at SLU. I was overwhelmed with the fast-paced nature of college classes. I remember professors diving straight into the content, having assignments due in the first week. For one of my classes, I even had a quiz during the first week (general chemistry, of course). This is not the nature of every class at SLU. There are some professors who will dedicate the entire first day to discussing the syllabus. However, in my experience, this is the exception, not the norm. And if you have a class that meets twice during the first week, the professor is not going to spend two classes on the syllabus. 

Additionally, if you are a STEM major, the chances of having a syllabus week are essentially zero. The non-science classes may be a little more relaxed. The professors will do introductions, briefly go over the syllabus, and then introduce some content. For the science classes, you may have homework due before the first day, you will probably be told to go over the syllabus on your own time, and then there will be a quiz in the next class. You will walk out on the first day, anxious, wide-eyed and wondering how you will survive this semester. 

I am not saying that the non-science classes cannot be intense; they certainly can be. But for some reason, the science professors do not believe in easing you in. In reality, a syllabus week is not feasible because college professors only have a semester to teach you the same volume of content that your high school teachers taught you in a year. This, of course, leaves little time for a syllabus week. Your professors may highlight certain portions of the syllabus, but they may not go through the whole thing. 

When I was a first-year student, I couldn’t understand why college classes had to be so fast-paced and overwhelming, but I think I understand now. Not only do our professors have to teach a high volume of information in a short period of time, but they also want to make sure that we are prepared for our post-graduation journey. Whether you plan to attend graduate school or get a job, your professors want to ensure you are prepared for what’s ahead (although some professors might be a bit mean). 

Honestly, I do not believe that the first week is much easier than any other week in the semester. Obviously, you won’t have any exams, and you’ll likely not have quizzes either. But professors generally spend little to no time on the syllabus, and the classes are not the only challenging part of the first week. Getting adjusted to a new schedule can be difficult, and it is especially difficult for first-year students who are not used to college life. College is hard, and the first week is not as easy as some people make it out to be. However, it is also fun, and it goes by fast, so you must make the most out of your college experience and enjoy it while it lasts.