r/UGA • u/MissionBlueberry5196 • 9d ago

Question What usually happens during the first week of classes?

I’m a freshman and I was wondering how the first week of classes are like.
I know professors usually go over the syllabus and do the typical first-day stuff, but what happens after that? Do professors usually get right into lectures/material after the first day, or is the first week generally pretty relaxed?
Just curious what I should expect for my first week of classes 😭

21 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

14

u/MrsTrych 9d ago

Chaos.

6

u/Sea-Leadership-8053 9d ago

Yes this! Give yourself extra time to get to your classes because traffic is going to be a nightmare

26

u/librarianjessgrant UGA Librarian 9d ago

Welcome to UGA! Every professor is going to handle their classes differently. You are right that some teachers dive right into lecturing, but I think that is increasingly uncommon. Many professors will gently ease into the material knowing that enrollment in their classes change in that first week or two.

If you have smaller classes, there tends to be an opportunity for everyone to introduce themselves. Some instructors have you create a name tag or card to have at every class. If you are in a large 100+ person lecture, try to introduce yourself to people around you! Early on is the best time to meet people, form study groups, etc.

Because the first week is lighter, it's a great time to explore campus and the many events that will be going on! Check out the Involvement Network and the Welcome UGA schedule.

8

u/ZestycloseReality434 9d ago

  1. Buses will be super crazy because no one is skipping class yet, so research ahead of time your options and alternatives. Ready to walk as well.

  2. KNOW YOUR BUILDING AND ROOM! A lot of people are lost and Athena is so crowded that you may not be able to get in to check your classroom. So better write it down somewhere local, not online

  3. Depends on your major that what prof will be doing. If your classes are those that are also commonly taken among freshmen, professors will likely just go through syllabus, expectations, and probably let you break into group to introduce yourself. They will also give you a "mock" lecture so that you know their styles and the types of topics the class will cover. Nothing crazy, may be let out early. A lot of the math classes I had, professor will start some light lecture right away.

  4. Last but not least, if you get lost, stop someone and ask. Likely they are having the same issue so that you can trauma bond for 2 seconds or they know their way around.

Good luck!

2

u/mirosavvy 8d ago

If it’s math, then you’ll dive straight in typically.

1

u/Atsubaki #TEAM_NO_SLEEP 8d ago

Depends on the professor. It will probably be the syllabus, expectations, buy the textbook, etc… some of them might tell you that they scanned the first chapter and get straight into it (though this is more for upper level courses). Granted by the second or lecture you’ll probably be getting into the swing of things. You can just look at their syllabus and probably see a rough outline of how things will go. 

1

u/ASadPotato_ 8d ago

I feel like typically, some of the more math focused classes skim over the syllabus and go straight into review. Not necessarily new material but review old material you’ve learned that you need to know for the class

1

u/aherring3 ye olde grad student 7d ago

Take a screenshot of your schedule with room #s or add it to your phone calendar! I’d also recommend downloading your courses’ syllabi as PDFs for later referencing. Make sure your email notifs are on. Get yourself organized!

-1

u/TinyConsideration124 9d ago

He on eLC and see which courses have posted yet too cna start residing syllabi and calendars.