Planning a Successful First Day of Class

Having a great first day of class requires advance preparation as well as taking action prior to the first class meeting. Instructors can set a positive and welcoming tone, invite all students to engage in the learning experience, and ensure students have the support and resources they need to be successful in the course. First day activities can set the tone for the semester, communicate to students why the course is important, manage expectations, and invite students to join in the learning journey. When students experience a positive attitude after the first day of class, they experience increased motivation throughout the course.

Prior to the First Class Meeting

Send an e-mail or announcement to students that welcomes them to your course. Consider attaching a copy of the syllabus.

Provide students access to a course discussion forum that is dedicated to introductions. Model the format of a good introduction by posting one introducing yourself to the class. Provide inclusive opportunities for all students to participate in the forum, either by video, audio or text.

Consider providing students with course materials, or access to the course Canvas site, prior to the first day of class. This gives students time to become familiar with the structure of the course.

Post a course overview or welcome video to the Canvas site.

First Day of Class



Provide a high level overview of the course


Follow-up after the first day of class

If you gave students a one-minute survey, be sure to address any comments and questions that arose. You could respond to students via Canvas announcements or class email prior to the next class meeting, or you could devote a small amount of class time to student questions.

Reflect on your first class (student engagement, learning environment, student needs, key aspects of the syllabus) and make adjustments as needed.

Other Resources

Make Your Class Inclusive From Day One (LILE blog)

Specific to inclusivity, but there are good general suggestions that we can use, some are included in the new content section below.

Preparing Your Spring 2022 Course (LILE blog)

Focused on pandemic era suggestions, but some general ideas that are usable.  Some included in the new content section.

Survey template – Getting to Know Your Students

This survey collects general information from students at the beginning of the semester and provides a way for them to share information they want their professors to know about their participation in the course.

End of class one minute survey

This is a 2-question survey asking students to identify topics that were particularly engaging and/or confusing following a class session

If you would like to learn more contact Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education

Recommended Resources

  1. Curtis, Drew A., and Kristi Moore. “The First Day of Class: Starting With an Activity or Syllabus?” North American Journal of Psychology, vol. 20, no. 3, Dec. 2018, p. 653. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A563457865/AONE?u=duke_perkins&sid=summon&xid=8eb386e9. Accessed 22 July 2025.
  2. DeBrew, Jacqueline Kayler. “Making the Most of the First Day of Class.” Journal of Nursing Education, vol. 58, no. 2, Feb. 2019, p. 123. Gale Academic OneFile, dx.doi.org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/10.3928/01484834-20190122-14. Accessed 22 July 2025.
  3. Four Things to Do on the First Day of Class (Faculty Focus)
  4. Hermann, A. D., & Foster, D. A. (2008). Fostering approachability and classroom participation during the first day of class: Evidence for a reciprocal interview activity. Active Learning in Higher Education, 9(2), 139-151. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/10.1177/1469787408090840 (Original work published 2008)
  5. Lang, J. (2019). How to Teach a Good First Day of Class. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  6. Make Your Classroom Inclusive from Day One (LILE blog)
  7. The First Day of Class Faculty Guide (Boston University Center for Teaching and Learning)
  8. The First Day of Class (DePaul Teaching Commons)