<p>so classes begin on the 25th, and my first class on that thursday is a discussion class. but do they have the discussions though even though i haven't been to the lecture for that class?</p>
<p>I would like to know that too :]</p>
<p>unless you get an e-mail from them it is still on...the t.a. will most likely introduce themselves and get to know the discussion section a little better and also pass out any hw assignments or reading</p>
<p>definitely go to that first discussion. if the TA doesn't show up after the first ten minutes or so, there's probably not a class that day and you can leave. but if the TA is there and takes attendance (and you aren't there), you'll be dropped from the class all together.</p>
<p>i wouldn't go. the ta will not have any material and homework assignment to go over since there has been no class lecture. only go if you receive an email saying that you should, or if you want to waste 10 minutes of your time waiting for the ta that will never show up.</p>
<p>i've definitely had discussions the first day or two of class (even though there wasn't a lecture before it) where the TA took attendance even though they didnt send an email saying that you needed to go...</p>
<p>they will tell you not to go. few will tell you to go, take it as is and ask the instructor</p>
<p>Send an e-mail to the instructor if you really want to know.</p>
<p>i think it doesn't hurt to show up. sometimes the TA is there, but sometimes they aren't because there's no class material to go over yet.</p>
<p>If you don't hear from them, or the class website (if there is one, you can usually find it through the department website) doesn't cancel it, GO. Yeah, a lot of the time, you'll find it's been cancelled or it'll be a waste, but some classes will drop you if you don't show up if they have a wait-list to get in. Why take the risk?</p>