What to Do in the First 15 Minutes of Your First Class
The first few minutes of your first class can feel like a blur. Your heart’s racing, your slides won’t load fast enough, and you can practically feel students staring at you.
I’ve been there. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wing it. When you start with clarity, warmth, and a little structure, your students will feel more confident in you, and you’ll feel more confident in yourself.
Here’s exactly what to do in your first 15 minutes of class.
Your First 15 Minutes of Class Planned For You
Minute 0–1: Take a Deep Breath
Before class starts, take 3 deep breaths and look around the room (or at your screen if you’re teaching online). Smile, even if you’re nervous. It sets the tone.
💬 Example: “Hi everyone, welcome to [Course Name]! I’m [Your Name], and I’m really looking forward to this semester with you.”
💡 Tip: Don’t rush through the opening. Your calm, steady tone signals confidence, even if you’re shaking inside.
Minute 1–3: Set the Stage & Introduce Yourself
Briefly explain what today will look like so students know what to expect. Uncertainty causes anxiety for both of you.
💬 Example: “Today we’ll go over the syllabus, talk about what this class is like, and do a short activity so you can meet your classmates.”
💡 Tip: Clarity builds trust. When students know what’s coming, they can relax and focus.
Minute 3-5: Connect Personally
Share a quick introduction about yourself, just a few sentences. Students don’t need your full history; they just need to know you’re a real person who cares about teaching.
💬 Example: “I’m really excited to teach this course. It’s one of my favorite subjects. I love exploring how people think and why they do what they do, and my goal this semester is to make everything practical and easy to follow. Outside of class, I’m usually chasing my two kids, watching reality tv, or reading sci-fi books.”
💡 Tip: Be human first, instructor second. Students connect with people, not credentials.
Minute 5–12: Review Your Syllabus
Transition to your syllabus or course overview. You don’t need to read every line; focus on the essentials that affect students daily: how to reach you, how grading works, and how to stay on track.
💬 Example: “Everything you’ll need is on [Canvas, Blackboard, your LMS]. I post weekly announcements and updates, and you’ll always know what’s due and when.”
💡 Tip: Focus on the “how” of your class (communication, organization, and grading), not just the “what.”
Minute 12–15: Transition to Engagement
End the first 15 minutes by setting up something interactive. It shifts the energy from you talking to them participating, and it breaks that first-day tension.
💬 Quick ideas:
- A short “get to know you” poll or discussion question
- A 2-minute partner chat: “Why did you choose this course”
- A quick reflection: “What are you hoping to get out of this course?”
💡 Tip: Keep it simple and light. This isn’t about deep learning yet; it’s about comfort, connection, and tone-setting. Plan for this activity to take 15-20 minutes. It’s time well spent building community that will pay off later in the semester.
Bonus: What NOT to Do
❌ Try to be perfect (students respond to authenticity, not perfection)
❌ Launch straight into lecture mode
❌ Read every line of the syllabus
❌ Over-apologize for being new
❌ Ignore the room (make eye contact early!)
❌ Try to fill every silence, pause to give them time to process
Your First 15 Minutes: A Minute-by-Minute Game Plan
Here’s your first 15 minutes at a glance:
✅ Greet students and smile
✅ Outline what you’ll do today
✅ Introduce yourself briefly and warmly
✅ Cover key expectations
✅ Set up one short interactive activity
📥 Free Resource
Don’t have a syllabus yet? Download my Syllabus Template + Checklist to make sure you’re ready for that first day.
