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Tips for the First-Day of Classes

The first day of class, and the first week overall, is critical for setting the tone of your course. During this time, students are eager to understand your expectations and learn what it takes to succeed. They also form early impressions of both you as an instructor and the course itself. This makes the first week a valuable opportunity to clearly communicate your expectations and demonstrate your commitment to their learning. Following are some tips for the first class.

  1. Visit your assigned classroom in advance to learn about the setup and environment of the classroom and to confirm that technology is working as expected.
  2. Reach early to the classroom on the first day and show the zeal you have for the course you are teaching.
  3. Welcome your students to the course.
  4. Call your students by their names.
  5. Allow some time towards the beginning of class for an icebreaker that allows students to get to know each other.
  6. Use the class period to:
  • tell your students about yourself,
  • discuss your teaching-learning philosophy,
  • demonstrate your mode of teaching,
  • cultivate your students' trust,
  • foster a spirit of inquiry,
  • display your enthusiasm for the subject, and
  • display a sense of humor.
  1. Get input about the interests of the students and their prior knowledge of the course. This may be done through a questionnaire or through conversation and discussion.
  2. Plan for a fun activity to discuss the important aspects of the syllabus. Just going over the syllabus and reading it to the students can be boring.
  • Clearly outlining policies and expectations in the syllabus, discussing them with students at the start of the course, and reinforcing them throughout the semester can help prevent issues later on. If you have encountered unexpected challenges with students in the past, setting clear expectations early can be an effective solution.
  1. Conduct an activity to expose the students to the content / discipline and convey the value and importance of the subject.
  2. Engage students in activities which foster a collaborative environment for the students to work in groups and teams.
  3. Set up clear communication strategies for the students. These could include your office hours, and the best way to contact you (e-mail, phone, WhatsApp, MS Teams, etc.).
  4. Communicate clearly in writing your assessment and grading policies and discuss them in the class.
  5. Establish what you will provide the students to be successful. This may include in-class material, study guides, meaningful and prompt feedback on assignments, facilitation of discussion, and attention to students with special needs.

Use the first day to introduce your students about how you have planned them to engage in learning during the course. Some examples of how a learning strategy may be introduced are: Problem-Based Learning: pose a problem, Small Group Discussion: discussion of the syllabus in small groups, and creating three questions to ask you, Demonstrations and large class discussion: start with a provocative demonstration.