Garfield the cat once said that Monday is “a day to make the rest of the week seem good.” And this week, I have to say I agree.

I’ve got the back-to-school blues – mostly because the whole first week of the semester feels like a Monday. Even though I am excited about beginning my senior year at GW and closing this chapter in my life, I still maintain that the first week of classes – that perpetual Monday – is the worst of the year. 

Here’s why GW’s first week of the fall semester was agonizing:

Reason 1: It’s before Labor Day. That’s way too early.

Reason 2: The first week is full of wasted time. Like reading the syllabus. Aloud. Seriously? 

Reason 3: Plenty of dumb questions: “What will be the format for the mid-term in October?” “How long should the final paper be due in December?” Exams taking place months from now are the last thing on my mind. 

Reason 4: Misinformation by professors: “Today will be the most I talk in class all semester.” Sure.

All of this is happening, of course, while some (read: most) of the class is working off a hangover. Brutal.

The first week of classes is all the worst parts of college rolled into a few class periods. And then, once it’s over, homework is assigned.

Ben Krimmel, a senior majoring in international affairs, is a Hatchet columnist.