If you get the feeling that I am encouraging you to not miss class on the exam dates, you are exactly correct. I will not repeat a lecture that you missed. If you do miss class, it is up to you to get the notes from someone in the class, and then come to see me if you have questions. Missing a lab is even worse, because most of the labs will be team projects depending upon class enrollment. You should not take this class if you have only had CS 101.
Some students are surprised by how difficult it is.
I think it is more the case that it is so very different from anything you have studied up to this time. It will undoubtedly require hard and steady work. The material links together and much of what is covered one day is needed for what comes after that. Also, try to follow the schedule concerning the programming assignments once we get started on the labs. You will find it takes more time that you anticipated to do all the necessary steps in completing a lab - especially since it involves assembly language.