When students return in the fall, they look forward to the first week of school because of the lack of homework and surplus of social events. It is a time to reconnect with friends, stay out late every night and slowly transition back into academic life at SMU.

This first week is treasured by every student on this campus; it has even taken on its own name: “syllabus week.”

And it is a complete myth.

“Syllabus week” does not exist. It is an idea invented by and accepted by students looking for an excuse to ignore work all week long. I myself am guilty of this, believing the notion that I cannot possibly have homework or reading during my first days back on campus, secretly aware of all that I have to do.

Want to go out even though you have excess amounts of reading due tomorrow? Go for it – it’s “syllabus week.”

Feel like ignoring Blackboard and watching Netflix instead? Why not? “Syllabus week.”

Missed your first class because you felt like sleeping in? No worries! It’s “syllabus week.”

This time has turned into an excuse to ignore coursework and act irresponsibly.

I have heard countless students lamenting about the amount of work they already have during the first week back. Friends of mine are stressed out and it’s only the third day. Today I saw someone having an anxiety attack while looking at her semester-at-a-glance.

Despite all of this, the student body still accepts “syllabus week” as truth. Maybe the only people who truly have no work during the first few days of the semester are first-years because they just arrived on campus less than a week ago. The rest of us do not have that luxury.

Professors expect more of us and, frankly, we should expect more of ourselves as well.

Yes, it is OK to spend time with friends or take some time to relax, but it is also just as important to start out the semester strong and not fall behind in classes.

Look at Blackboard, show up to class and maybe even read the syllabus, even though it’s the culprit behind your first-week-back laziness.

It is time we stop believing in the myth and start living the reality.