Last week was the start of my senior year and the seventh time that I have gone through syllabus day during the first week of classes. I can honestly say that it is the most important day of class. Yeah, it is boring, but it is important information that you need to know.

It’s better to hear it directly from the professors because the syllabus is law, and you need to know the law so you do not break it. Professors also use the first day to go over the course objectives that students should be completing throughout the semester. So many students get themselves into trouble and get confused nearly halfway through the semester. Syllabus day should help students plan out their whole semester for that class and know how hard they have to work to get the grades they want.

Now, I can understand that some students might want to get the ball rolling on the first day, and I have been in some classes like that. Other students like syllabus day because there is no work and class ends early. I’m sure if all students could be trusted to read the entire syllabus by themselves that the teachers would not devote a whole class period to just the syllabus. These professors are told to make sure they mention the parts about students with disabilities and that there is a punishment for cheating. Students also need to know when the drop date is for the class, so they do not have to accept a bad grade.

The first class is usually the class where the professor tells you that they are there to help you, and they show you through the syllabus how you get that help. I know there were plenty of times that I should have listened to my professor and talked to them one-on-one. Sometimes professors will put study tips on the syllabus.

Going through the syllabus does not take very long usually. So, depending on your professor, they might try to get to know their students beyond just remembering their name. That’s what happened in my very first class last Wednesday. The professor created a game for each of the students to remember each other’s name. Granted, this was because we have to do group projects later in the semester. However, it was fun, and it was a good icebreaker to start the semester. 

Syllabus day is necessary to let students know what they are getting into before the semester starts. Embrace it for more than just a short class day. Look at it as your professor handing you a contract and telling you to read it while they explain each part of it to you. Students are given all of the information they need in that first class to finish the semester with an A. It is up to the students to take advantage of syllabus day and use it to help them throughout the rest of the semester.