Get Your Students Hired
The most effective way for me is to prepare for the class ahead of time, understand the tests and worksheets being delivered, being able to answer the questions asked. That all involves training and preparation. Since training is often times "on the go" I will write notes each day of what I don't know and look them up after. The more I do this the more prepared I am then next class. After 2 or 3 classes I'm pretty solid and get great reviews. This system makes it less stressfull starting a new class because I have a plan.
Hi Thomas,
That's right! What ifs can make you go into a state of panic. Prepare, be confident, knowledgeable, and you will do just fine.
Patricia Scales
Hi Edward,
I agree preparation is key! More is always better. Students know when you are just trying to buy time. You do a fine job getting ready for your students/classes.
Patricia Scales
Over-preparation of relevant material and creating a clear agenda for each class works best for me. If I know what I'll be doing and what I'll be doing next class and the class after that, I don't have to worry about getting through material too quickly. If a lecture, quiz, activity, etc., takes less time than I thought, I can simply move on to the next thing. The worst thing to do, in terms of creating anxiety, is to under-prepare or prepare "just enough" material for one class. One mistake that can lead to under-preparation is assuming that students' questions will take up a significant amount of time. While that might be the case, one can't rely on it.
When I was younger, I spent many sleepless nights worrying about the what-ifs. But as the forum points out, so many of those what-ifs never occur. If you start from the realization that you already will know more than they do, it should help you relax a bit. While I think it's important to be fully prepared, sometimes we can beat ourselves up a bit before we've even entered the classroom. Trust yourself, give a 100 percent effort and the rest will take care of itself.
I am a new instructor and I find that preparation helps me to overcome anxiety. I also try to keep myself approachable as oppposed to being very stiff and formal.
Cassandra
I know a lot of us are SMEs but perhaps don't have the "flight" time in front of a class. But I have found that each new subject I teach has to pretty much go through a trial period; the course is always better the second time around. I've learned to anticipate looking less-than-my-best when teaching new material by knowing the text frontwards and backwards. I also have no problem injecting my professional experiences into lectures. Students often respond positively when they can believe you're leading them up the right path. I often follow up with questions regarding people they know who can verify what I've told them. If one student pipes up with corroboration, the rest of the class takes my words on faith.
I think the best way to reduce new instructor anxiety is to practice your material and presentation. Talk to other instructors.
Perfect whose perfect no one needs that kind of pressure. I am human just like my students and I try to make my class fun and exciting but you will have students you can't please deal with it and move on we don't need that anxiety and neither do our students because you can't tell me that if you are stressed that the students can't sense it
I have found that I am less anxious when I have prepared to present the material in the way that I am most comfortable. I really enjoy mind-mapping, and I find that the days that I have prepared and/or reviewed in a mind-mapping method, I am much more relaxed.
I make sure I have extra in-class activities to fill in if the lecture goes more quickly than expected.
Being a new instructor myself, I feel that a lot of anxiety comes from the fear of making a mistake or not being able to answer a student's question. I think being prepared and knowing the material would definitely help reduce anxiety. In the beginning of the term, I tell the students about my work background, so they can see me as an experienced professional, but I also let them know that I couldn't possibly know everything. So when a question arises that I don't know the answer to, I tell them I don't know the answer, but let's try to find it together.
Always come prepared! Plan your course ahead of time. Make sure you have your power point ready and make copies of any handouts before the day of your lecture. Check your materials for typos and misinformation that can be embarrassing. Practice your lecture and study your notes ahead of time. Follow the class syllabus and objectives and use timely information. Make sure everything that you need for your lecture is in your car or on your desk and ready to go the day before. Come to class 15 minutes early to set up. Never be late! Be confident.
Katherine - I think it's great that you prepare some new material for classes that you have taught many times before. My field, like many others, is one that is in constant flux. Constant change is the norm. Advancements in our fields necessitate that we update our lectures periodically to reflect new evidence and new practices.
Being prepared is the best way to give your self a confident feeling.
I find sharing industry related experiences also helps me feel in control, that it is a value added moment and helps to extablish your credability. It also helps students see you as someone who isn't affraid to share insights, positive and negative experiences and isn't affraid to laugh at themself.
Heavy prep works. Also, believing in what you are doing and what your end game is makes it easier.
I over-plan and over-prepare. By that, I read ahead and mentally envision my first class session with new students. I carefully consider how I will engage students and incorporate meaningful learning activities for a 3 to 4-hour lecture. I get so involved with the course content that I don't leave room enough to consider first-day instructor anxiety.
If you are a subject matter expert or have taught the class before you may not have much prep. I have some subjects that even though I have taught many times and have my paperwork down pat,I still will review and probably prepare something new to add. I don't like getting stall or too comfortable with the material.