Hi Ben,
It is human nature to be a little nervous. Just do not let the nervousness overtake you in the classroom. Preparation is key!
Patricia
the best way to reduce anxiety, is to be prepared, more prepared = less anxiety, but you still have anxiety the first day, learn to control it.
Being well- prepared and familiar with the classroom and the equipment that is in the classroom. I tend to think just like a student, if this is my 1st time teaching a course, then I too must take the time and familiarize myself with the material.
Well class preperation is key for me. I also make sure that I'm current on updates and class room changes.
I am a first year teacher and i got over my nerves by feeling pretty prepaired for my first day and the students really eased the anxiety by being excited about the course.
Hi Julio,
Great response! I also like to make sure that I am well prepared by having a lesson plan to follow. You certainly cannot go wrong with over preparing.
Patricia
Hi Kamel,
That's right! You cannot ever go wrong with having too much to do.
Patricia
Hi Brandiann,
Being over prepared really does put you more at ease. No one likes being caught empty handed. As instructors, we should always keep something extra in our hip pocket.
Patricia
Whether you are teaching for the first time ever, or even if you are a very seasoned teacher, I think we all experience those pre-class nerves and anxiety each time we start a new term/semester/class.
The best ways I have found to overcome the pre-class jitters is to chat with other instructors beforehand and in a way just be able to wind down a bit and ease one's mind. Think about all the material you want to cover in class that first day (and if need be over-plan just in case you are nervous during the class and zip through what would normally take much longer if you were calm)
For me one of the biggest helpers is humor. If I can get the class laughing (with me, not at me) that puts my anxiety at the door and in a way eases my nervousness knowing that I can make the students laugh and smile, but still at the same time build confidence within eachother knowing that I am going to do the best at what I do.
Preparation and more preparation. Before teaching my first class I had the opportunity to train under the developer of my class. I also had the opportunity to observe a coworker. Having somebody guide me through the preparation for my first course was very helpful. After the initial training I took it upon myself to always prepare for the following days lecture by reading the material I would be presenting and having all handouts, exams, etc. ready so that when the students walked in everything was in place. By setting the standard of preparation my students also responded in that way.
I KEEP FROM HAVING ANXIETY BY BEING WELL PREPARED FOR CLASS AND KNOWING THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE IN THE FIELD
I would like to recommend that you plan ahead and understand that changes may have to be made at some point. However organization is the key to reducing anxiety.
Hi Suzette,
What a great way to learn about each other, to bond, and to have some fun. Super way to get students to feel more comfortable.
Patricia
At the beginning of the quarter, I start my classes off with a fun ice-breaker. I ask the students to tell two truths and one lie about themselves and the rest of the class has to guess which statement was the lie. Then I give mine and the students guess. After that exercise, the students are all talking to each other and the tension is reduced.
Overprepare! Have a ten-minute activity to do at the end of class that you can pull out of your hat if you need it. You will probably never need it, but that way you have given yourself piece of mind that you will never run out of things to cover.
Last term I carried around a short story for my English students to read together in class if we needed something else to work on. We never used it, but I eliminated my own worries so I could focus on the students.
I also remember being an adult in the classroom. I was so worried about myself I had no idea my instructor was nervouse too. So now as I teach, I keep reminding myself that it is not about me. Its about course content and about the students learning it.
on the contrary, preparing more will give more room to be relaxed.
Hi Denise,
Icebreakers are great leeways into easing the nerves. Instructors really need to practice preparation as well. I've learned that when you are prepared and confident, you are not nearly as nervous.
Patricia
My first class I was extremely nervous to stand in front of students my own age and have them respect me. The thing that helped me was remembering that I'm the proffessional and that they are hear to learn from me!
Some ways to overcome pre-class nerves and anxiety is to start the class off with a fun icebreaker and have each student discuss themselves for a minute or two. When this is over then you should be comfortable talking about yourself because you have gotten to know everyone else.
