<p>Do labs and recitations start right away the first week of classes? I know at some schools they don’t, and for a few classes, I have the recitation earlier in the week than the actual class, so I won’t be able to find out. Same with chem lab…</p>
<p>You could inquire by email to the instructor. You probably won’t have labs before classes begin, but you very well may have a short meeting for recitations. Sometimes the recitations are the places where homework is collected and quizzes are given, so there may be a brief stating of the expectations.</p>
<p>What is taught in the lab is generally separate from the lecture, so if you have a lab before the lecture during the week, I’d recommend you show up. IIRC most recitations don’t meet the first week if it’s before the lecture, but it depends on the class.</p>
<p>Yup. Best to go to everything. The worst thing that can happen is that nothing is going on and you go home.</p>
<p>In my experience with the labs (Chemistry I and II, OChem I, and Bio I) usually the first week it’s a really easy introductory lab and/or an orientation for lab. They usually understand that the first week is add/drop and people are switching around like crazy, so there isn’t much going on in the first week. The “real” lab stuff doesn’t happen until the second week, so if you miss the first lab, you’re not in too much trouble.</p>
<p>If you have the lecture before the recitation/lab, the professor will usually say toward the end of class (or someone will ask). If you have recitation before lecture, go just in case.</p>
<p>I can only speak for the recitations - not a science person :p</p>
<p>Normally labs and recitations do start the first week, though not in full swing. If you’re in a science lab, you’ll probably talk about lab safety and that kind of stuff. In recitation, the TA may just introduce him/herself and you’ll get out early.</p>
<p>I suggest you go to the first lab because if you don’t you may loose your seat. (esp. a science lab)</p>