The first days of class are important in setting the tone for what is to come, and it is crucial to think carefully about how you present yourself and how you get the course established. The links in this section provide information and suggestions for getting started effectively on the first day of class.

Learning Students' Names (University of Nebraska)
List of 23 techniques for learning students’ names in both small and large class settings.

The Most Important Day: Starting Well (Wright, 1999)
Ideas for faculty members on how to use the first day of class to start building relationships with students.

The First Day of Class (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Ten tips for handling your first meeting with students, and specific strategies in response to common concerns of beginning teachers.

101 Things for the First 3 Weeks (University of Nebraska, Lincoln)
Specific ideas for generating interest in course material, building community in the classroom, helping students transition into the course, and encouraging active learning.

IDEA Paper #39: Establishing Rapport: Personal Interaction and Learning (IDEA Center, Fleming, 2003).
Describes the importance of building rapport with students. Lists four factors that help an instructor develop rapport with students, as well as strategies for improving teacher performance in these areas.