Hi Marissa,
You make a good point about how important the first impression is in a college setting. The time is short and the instruction compressed so a positive first impression gets the class off to a good start and has the students engaged from the very first class meeting.
Gary
What I tend to think about in regards to making a positive first impression with college courses, is how students can actually drop your course after the first day. With teaching high school and middle school, often times you get the teacher for the whole year regardless of the first impression. But in college it's especially important to make a great first impression, because you could lose students.
I positive first impression is important because students will be more comfortable in the classroom if they think that their instructor is credible and approachable.
First impression allows the student to observe, gather their expectations, and feel apart of the learning process.
Starting with the end in mind always gives encouragement that one can succeed. If an instructor can exhort as well as teach, you can bring out the best . . . bring confidence that you will help them achieve their desire -- with hard work and diligence.
I believe that making a positive first impression will set the tone for the entire educational term. Student often look to there instrutor as a role model
Making a positive first impression will help both students and instructors to be more confident and reduce stress so that can be more comfortable during the entire course.
.The first impression will carry out the pace of the course, starting with respect from the students. Your the first impression is credibility that you can teach the course at level student learning.
I agree, Graham. Positive (upbeat) friendly (but not friends) and genuinely interested in who te students are, why they have chosen this profession (Nursing) and what they hope to become.
I also am obligated to tell them that they have chosen a profession that by definition,puts peoples lives in their hands, so they better get it right.
I also add my rule: "know what you don't know, stop there and get help"
Hi Christina,
Well said. This is why it is so important to make sure you set the stage for a good first impression when starting a new class.
Gary
First impression is a lasting impresion. Why are so many companies (not just teachers and instructors) telling their employees to make a good first impression? Why do people put on a good suit with a tie for an interview? First impressions are important in any area. The first impression gives others something to judge. Even though we try not to be judgemental, it is only natural for a human to prejudge a person. If the one being judge looks good, then the prejudgement will be good. It will be a good first impression. Think about it. If you went to an interview wearing cut off jeans with a tank-top, what will the interviwer think? First impressions are a lasting impressions and it is important to make sure that impression is a good one.
First class is most important, you need set up the class and get them motivated, you have to impress them, and it works.
Thanks, Graham. I agree. Part of that positivity is being encouraging and motivating, but also empowering. Students also like to see that instructors are approachable.
It helps to focus on the students, rather than ourselves, you are so right that they need to be put at ease. Energy, enthusiasm and a little humor, all serve to connect and put them at ease.
Career colleges tend to have all age groups and as such students that have not been in a classroom for awhile along with those who may be coming out of high school or traditional college. They are naturally anxious and tentative about their decision to go back to school. A positive first impression will put them at ease, help them to get over their fears and allow them to enjoy embarking on a new endeavor. Even after they have been through a couple of classes some students still maintain that anxiety about the next class and on and on. So a welcoming, positive first day does much to boost morale, as well as set a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.
Making a positive first impression will instill confidence in the students belief that they may actually benefit from what the instructor has to offer in the course they are about to partake in.
I agree with Gilbert. If you are excited to be there it will show in your energy and compassion towards the students. They will feel engaged and open to what you have to say. I clearly remember one of my college math instructors because of his negative energy. I had to drop from the class because he never engaged with us as students.
You always want to lead by example.
Making a good first impression helps the students feel as though they are in good hands concerning the instructors ability to provide a successfull teaching envirenment about the desired subject matter at hand.
i feel it is very important to start with a positive first impression i will bring a treat on the first day of class just something small but what they can use in class and i will always have a good and joyfull attitude and that will set a good pace for the students
