How to Set Up Your College Course (Step-by-Step)

Planning your first college course can feel overwhelming. If you’re wondering how to set up your first college course, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need, from creating your syllabus, to planning your first week with confidence.

1. Start with the Syllabus Basics

Before you dive into lesson plans or activities, begin with what your department requires.

Review your syllabus template and identify any fixed policies, learning outcomes, or mandatory assignments. These are your non-negotiables and form the foundation for your course plan.

Checklist to begin:
✅ Review department syllabus template
✅ Identify learning outcomes
✅ Select required materials or textbooks
✅ Note grading breakdowns or policies

💡 Tip: If your department doesn’t provide a template, ask a colleague or the department chair for a recent example. Most instructors are happy to share. You can also use my Syllabus Checklist.

2. Plan Your First Week (and Maybe Your Second)

Your first week sets the tone for the entire semester. Focus less on content and more on building trust, clarifying expectations, and helping students feel comfortable.

You don’t need a full semester of lessons planned, just your syllabus and your first week (or two). Once classes begin, you’ll find your rhythm and can plan the next week or two as you go.

Ideas for your first week:

Share your course goals and what students can expect.
Use an engaging, low-pressure icebreaker related to your subject.
Walk through your syllabus in an interactive way (like a short quiz or scavenger hunt).
Assign a short reflection or discussion to gauge student interests.

💡 Tip: Keep your first lecture short and conversational. Students remember your tone more than your slides on day one. See my tips for a confident first day of class.

3. Create a Semester-at-a-Glance Plan

Once your key assignments are set, map out your semester week by week. A simple spreadsheet or calendar helps you visualize the big picture, but don’t mistake this for full lesson planning.

This is just an outline. You’ll build exams and lesson plans in more detail a week or two before teaching them. For assignments, I usually like to post instructions one month out.

Include:

Weekly topics
Required readings
Assignment due dates
Exams and quizzes
Holidays or breaks

💡 Tip: Always build in “flex weeks” where you have extra time. Life happens, and a little buffer time keeps you from falling behind.

4. Build a Weekly Planning Habit

Every week, set aside 2-4 hours to review what worked, prep the next class or two, grade any assignments, and handle admin tasks. This single habit can save hours of stress later. I always do this during my office hours.

Try this rhythm:

Review last week’s notes. I like to jot down quick reflections (“What worked?” What didn’t”) to improve next semester.
Prepare your next week’s lessons one week at a time.
Look ahead for the month and post major assignment instructions about one month in advance.
Print or post new materials (you can schedule them in your LMS if you want them time-released).
Grade any assignments or exams.
Clear messages and emails so you don’t fall behind.

💡 Tip: Keep a “course journal.” Jot notes, ideas, and student feedback. It’ll make your next semester twice as smooth. I use a simple piece of paper in my binder.

Quick Recap

Here’s your step-by-step checklist to plan your first college course:

✅ Review your department’s syllabus requirements
✅ Outline key learning outcomes and assignments
✅ Plan your first week of class
✅ Build a weekly planning habit to stay 1–2 weeks ahead

FAQs for New Instructors

Q: How long should I spend planning my first course?
A: Aim for 10–15 hours before the start of the semester for a new class to create your first week, your syllabus, and your semester at-a-glance. As you teach the same course again, this time will go down dramatically. Then expect about 2-4 hours a week of prep and grading.

Q: Should I create all lessons before the semester starts?
A: No. Plan your first (and maybe second) week in detail, then prep about 1-2 weeks in advance (post assignments 1 month out). This gives you time to adjust as you learn your students’ pace and needs.

Q: What if my department doesn’t give me a syllabus template?
A: Borrow from a colleague or request a sample from your department chair. You can also use my Syllabus Checklist.

Q: How detailed should my weekly plan be?
A: Keep it simple. Outline key objectives, discussion points, and one engaging activity per class.