
I find that students don't listen to a word about the Syllabus until after we discuss the grading weights because this is what they are most concerned about. I now discuss the grading first, and then review the rest of the syllabus.
I have also found that discussing how grades are determined first has resulted in students actually reading and understanding the syllabus for the course
That makes a lot of sense. Students worry more about their grades than what is expected of them from the college.