How to cope with the anxiety in the first day in class
The anxiety of meeting your class for the first time is mixed feeling. Well prepared and experience instructor who loves his or her job will feel happy to meet the class for the first time. If you are old in the profession it should be normal and relaxed atmosphere. For new Instructors it is a bit of a problem. With the increased in experience it just become normal and ordinary. The focus of that day is to know your students and therefore must try to know them in the first day.
Hi Omri,
This is how I like to get my classes started as well. Thanks for sharing how you make your students comfortable and get them settled in. I know more learning takes place as a result of using this type of opening and then proceeding to the content.
Gary
Aloha, I like to have a social fun first part of class getting to know the students, making them laugh and introduing my life experiences concerning the course. The second part of class they are now more relaxed and open so we can get down to bussiness.
I always had anxiety mixed with excitement when beginning a new term but tried to make my classes as comfortable as possible. I think it is important to communicate that you are human and approachable.
