Making the First Day Count
Resources for University Success Instructors
Your Day One Goal
The first day of class sets the tone for the entire semester. Help students feel welcome, capable, and curious about college—and about your course.
“Students may not remember your syllabus, but they will remember how you made them feel on Day 1.”
Design Your First 5 Minutes
- 👋 A warm welcome
- 📖 A short, personal story about why this course matters
- 🤝 A quick “get-to-know-you” activity
- 💬 A prompt like: “What does success in college look like to you?”
Leave room for students to speak—and surprise you.
Research-Supported Moves for a Strong Start
- Learn Names Early – Even a name tent helps students feel seen. This small gesture increases engagement and fosters belonging.
- Set Purpose, Not Just Policies – Explain how your course connects to students’ goals and skills like time management, communication, and responsibility.
- Normalize Struggle + Offer Support – Acknowledge that challenges are expected. Let students know your course is designed to support—not judge—their growth.
Bibliography & Further Reading
- Freeman, Scott, et al. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410–8415.
- Strayhorn, Terrell L. (2019). College Students’ Sense of Belonging. Routledge.
- Ambrose, Susan A., et al. (2010). How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. Jossey-Bass.
- Cavanagh, Sarah R. (2016). The Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion. West Virginia University Press.
- Lang, James M. (2016). Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning. Jossey-Bass.
Additional Online Resources
These trusted, research-informed online resources offer strategies to help you create a warm, effective, and high-impact first day of class. Use them for inspiration, planning, or reflection as you welcome students into their JSU experience.
- 📘 Faculty Focus – Tips to replace syllabus-only lectures with authentic, engaging openers.
- 🎓 DePaul Teaching Guide – Advice on what to say, how to say it, and student-centered introductions.
- 💡 ND Learning – Strategies that emphasize student mindset and voice.
- 🗣️ CU Boulder – Practical suggestions for rapport, structure, and tone.
- ✅ UC Berkeley – Actionable reminders for a confident, connected classroom launch.
These resources can be shared, printed, or adapted to your own class materials. Let us know how Faculty Development for Student Success can support your first days and beyond!