Last fall, I wasted my syllabus week. Yes, I’ll admit it. Having freshly moved into my dorm, I felt independent and fiercely confident. However, in my first-year haze, I was hideously unaware of the chaos barreling my way after a week of work-free bliss. Suddenly, I found myself three readings behind and $200 poorer. If I could redo my first week at the University, I’d make a few changes — ones that could save me my time, money and sanity.
1. Actually read the syllabus
Wild concept, I know. I skimmed the documents idly for attendance policies and due dates while my professors went over them in class. But I missed a hidden gem — an extra credit opportunity where all I had to do was send my philosophy professor a dinosaur GIF. Speaking from experience, reading the syllabus could seriously lead to bonus points. More than that, though, 10 minutes of reading might have saved me from ten weeks of confusion.
2. Scout better routes to class
I learned the hard way that I couldn’t exactly trust Google Maps for the quickest way to get to class. Quick tip — that app doesn't account for footpaths, staircases or the pedestrian bridge connecting old dorms to Newcomb. Walking along the main roads will add unnecessary minutes and, if you’re directionally challenged like me, it will also leave you on the side of the road wondering, “How in the world do I enter Gibson Hall?”
3. Go to bed before 3 a.m.
It’s tempting to stretch every night into a social marathon because “there’s no real work” during syllabus week. Although it's the “easiest” week of the semester, my circadian rhythm never recovered before the workload got real. If your social battery is drained by midnight, call it quits. And if Trin isn’t hitting now, it won’t in an hour. Believe me, I’ve been there.
4. Don’t be a lecture hall hermit
Enticing as it is not having to interact with strangers, don’t hide yourself in the corner of the lecture hall. As it turns out, it's way less awkward to ask for notes later if you’ve already introduced yourself to adjacent classmates. A quick “Hey, what’s your major?” ended up saving me when I needed a study buddy, a note-swap or someone to tap me awake during my 9 a.m. discussion.
5. Check out more random club meetings
As daunting as joining new GroupMes might be, syllabus week is prime time to try Bhangra, join the quidditch team or sign up for a few different a capella auditions without having to commit. I scouted only two clubs online before last year’s activity fair and only stuck with those, leaving me wishing I had broadened my horizons.
6. Don’t spend $300 on books — at least not right away
I never flipped most of my “required” online textbooks beyond the table of contents. If I had waited a week, I could’ve found them secondhand, bought a cheaper version or realized my professor uploaded half of the readings to Canvas. Instead, I opted-in for every textbook my classes provided — basically paying rent for PDF gigabytes that sat unopened all semester.
7. Use Flex Dollars consciously
During my first few weeks at the University, the concept of “free” Starbucks and Chick-fil-A in the Pav was magical. I blew through my Flex Dollars and swipes like they were on fire. I should have spaced them out, rather than impulse-buying caramel macchiatos and Bento Sushi. Those food habits tanked my Flex balance by half just two weeks into the semester.
8. Introduce myself to professors and TAs
A quick, “Hi, I’m in your Tuesday section” makes it easier to approach the teaching team later for questions or recommendations. I never introduced myself officially to my TA, and it made asking questions awkward as a first-year student. Office hours were a lot less intimidating once my TA could put face to name and I wasn’t just another line in the gradebook.
9. Figure out bus routes early
TransLoc is a blessing once I actually knew how it worked. As simple as it may seem, hopping on the wrong bus and ending up at Barracks Road 20 minutes before class is extremely humbling. So, check the bus routes and ask around. Don’t end up like me — speed-walking from North Grounds to Monroe Hall and barely making it to my 11 am.
10. Start healthy habits while life is still slow
Week one was the perfect time to construct routines that stick — hitting the gym, prepping meals and doing laundry before I run out of socks. But I didn’t think about it that way. During syllabus week, I ignored my overflowing laundry backpack, and I left my minifridge empty. Once assignments started rolling in, those habits were much harder to work into my schedule.
The bottom line? “Sylly week” isn’t just a free trial for our classes — it’s our one chance to set the tone for the entire semester. This time around, I’ll still enjoy the easy pace and my inevitable first-weekend bender, but with a little more foresight — and far less money wasted on unused textbooks.
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