How to Make a Good Impression on the First Day of School

Creating a Welcoming Environment

Dress professionally yet comfortably. Students aren’t the only ones who get to pick out a back-to-school outfit—you want your first day outfit to express your personality while making you look professional and confident. Pick out an outfit you’ll be comfortable in, such as a summer dress with a sweater over it or linen slacks and a nice shirt. Wear comfortable shoes that breathe, especially if the weather is still warm. Follow the school dress code for teachers, if applicable.

Design your classroom to be bright and cheerful. You want your students to walk through the door, see the classroom, and feel excited about learning. Try to add some color to the room by hanging colorful posters on the wall or adding 1 or 2 vibrant rugs. Adding things like bean bag chairs or standing lamps creates a sense of comfort in the room as well. You might choose a color scheme, such as turquoise and yellow, for your room and decorate the room with those colors. Add things like lights, colorful bins, educational posters, and window decorations. While your classroom should have color in it, don't overdo it—too much stimulation on the walls can affect a student's focus.

Introduce yourself to the class. You can do this individually with each student as they walk in the door, as well as in a whole-group setting once everyone is seated. Tell the class a little bit about yourself, staying positive and showing your excitement for the year. Tell your students what they should call you, and write your name on the board so they learn how to spell it. Include exciting things you have planned for the class over the school year in your introduction to get the students excited about what’s to come.

Make a personal connection with the students. While it's important for your students to see you as an authority figure, you also want to create a connection with them as people. Tell your students a little bit about your life and what sort of things you like. By giving them a little information about yourself, your students will be more likely to open up to you. Include things like where you’re from, what you did over the summer, and if you have any pets or favorite foods. Create a visual that shows your likes and dislikes, which could be an example of a get-to-know-your-class activity that each student makes as well. EXPERT TIP Joseph Meyer Joseph Meyer Math Teacher Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University. Joseph Meyer Joseph Meyer Math Teacher Show students you care. Observing your students allows you to tailor your teaching to their needs. Over time, you'll be able to deepen their understanding of the subject matter. Students appreciate teachers invested in their growth, and building long-term relationships with students is incredibly rewarding.

Ask the students to share information about themselves. You can do this as a group by asking students to share things with the class such as their name, a fun thing they did over the summer, and what they’re looking forward to this year. Or, you might choose to make it a more private sharing of information, with the students filling out a questionnaire or making a piece of artwork about themselves. Consider playing a game that helps the students (and yourself!) learn each other's names.

Smile often to encourage your students to have fun while learning. While some teachers may choose to be strict and serious, smiling creates a warm environment where your students feel comfortable coming to you. Have fun while teaching and give off positive vibes—if you smile, your students will be smiling too! Portray positive body language by standing up straight, looking your students in the eyes, and smiling genuine smiles whenever possible. Smiling also projects a confidence and warmth that shows your students you're approachable.

Be yourself! Your students will be able to tell if you feel nervous or uncomfortable while teaching. Try to let go of any uncertainties and relax so that you’re able to teach your students most effectively. Let your personality shine through and show your students how excited you are to teach them!

Setting the Course for the Year

Establish the rules of the classroom for students to follow. This includes things like raising your hand to ask a question, walking quietly in the halls, being respectful of others, and always doing your best. You can either create the list of rules before school starts and hang it up on the wall so it's ready to go, or work with the class on the first day to establish the list of rules together. Other rules might include follow directions, listen carefully, or come to class prepared to learn. Write the list of rules on a poster board or other large piece of paper so students can read it from their seat throughout the year.

Set a routine so students know what to expect. This includes things like where the students will sit, how you’ll distribute important papers, and how students will go to the bathroom or line up. By clearly explaining how each day will go, your students will feel more prepared and confident. Go over the daily routine in detail, such as whether the class will start with a warm up activity, what time they’ll have lunch or recess, and what they should do if they have free time. Consider teaching your class hand signals for things like going to the bathroom and getting water so that they don’t need to vocally ask you.

Make a thorough plan for the day that involves creativity. Have an idea of what you’ll do throughout the entire day, such as playing a get-to-know-you game and having the class discuss a summer reading book, making your plan as detailed as possible. It’s okay if you don’t follow the plan exactly, but it’s better to have more things than you have time to do than have lots of unneeded down time. For example, write down the times of each activity, such as 8:00-8:30 introductions, 8:30-9:00 summer reading book activity, 9:00-10:00 music class, and so on. Write the schedule of your day on the chalkboard or whiteboard so the class can see and refer to it all day if desired. Include things in your day such as class introductions, a writing prompt about the summer, or a read-aloud story.

Ask other teachers for help or advice, if needed. Veteran teachers are great sources of information if you have questions or concerns about the first day of school as a teacher. Reach out to other teachers at your school, or even other schools, for helpful answers. You might ask another teacher, "What's your favorite get-to-know-you game?" or "How often do you let students go to the bathroom or get water?" EXPERT TIP Joseph Meyer Joseph Meyer Math Teacher Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University. Joseph Meyer Joseph Meyer Math Teacher Build strong connections with your fellow teachers. A supportive network of colleagues is essential. They can provide valuable insights, offer encouragement during tough times, and create a sense of community – all crucial for a fulfilling teaching career.

Starting School as a Student

Bring all the supplies you’ll need for the school day. Your school will likely give you a list of supplies you’ll need for the school year, such as binders, folders, or crayons. If you weren’t given a school supply list, bring a notebook and pencils on the first day so you’re prepared. Don’t forget to pack your lunch along with your school supplies if you won’t be buying it at school.

Choose an outfit that makes you feel confident. Pick out a back-to-school outfit that you love, and wear comfortable shoes to make your day go easier. Outfit ideas include a dress with sandals, a graphic tee with shorts, or jeans and a nice blouse or button up. Make sure you stick to your school’s dress code, if necessary. If you have a school uniform, try personalizing your look by adding a watch, necklace, or stylish shoes.

Get a full night's rest before the first day of school. If you show up to school feeling tired, you're not going to have the energy to be your absolute best. Aim for a full 8 hours of sleep if you're a teen, and 9-10 hours if you're in elementary school, to be well-rested and ready for the day. Set your alarm clock so that you wake up on time. For example, if you know you need to wake up at 7:00 am, try to be in bed by 8:30 or 9:00 pm.

Have good hygiene to make yourself look presentable. This includes showering before school (or the night before), styling your hair, and brushing your teeth. If you look clean and put-together, you’re more likely to feel confident and excited about the day. Consider styling your hair with gel, or braiding it to keep it out of your face. Wash your face before school, and apply makeup such as concealer or mascara if desired. Paint your nails to give yourself some added flair, if allowed.

Get to school early to arrive at your classes on time. If you’re only in one classroom for the whole day, get to school in the morning a few minutes early so you have time to find out where your class is and what to do with your things. If you go to multiple classrooms throughout the day, try to get to each one on time to make a good impression on your teacher. If you don’t know your way around the school well yet, plan to get there early to find out where to go. If you're new to the school, see if there's a day before the first day of school when you can go and familiarize yourself with the school. Wear a watch to help you keep track of the time throughout the day, if desired.

Smile often and portray positive body language. When you smile, people automatically feel more comfortable and willing to talk to you. Try to sit up straight in class instead of hunched over, and look people in the eyes when they’re talking to you. Avoid crossing your arms when talking to people so you appear more inviting.

Be social by talking to old friends and possible new ones. Make an effort to catch up with old friends that you haven’t seen in awhile, asking them how their summer was or which classes they’re in. The first day of school is also a great opportunity to reach out to new people you may not know, introducing yourself and possibly making a new friend. If you're new to the school, make an effort to strike up a conversation or smile with as many people as you feel comfortable, as this might lead to the person asking you to sit with them at lunch or hang out during a free period. Say hello to people you don’t know in the hallway or in class when the teacher isn’t teaching, especially if you see a new person who may not know anyone yet.

Start good work habits to prepare you for the year. The first day of school sets the tone for the rest of the year, so it’s important to start off strong with your academics. Write down any assignments you have and complete your homework on time to show your teachers you take school seriously and are willing to work hard. Listen closely when your teacher speaks, writing down important things like the homework policy and classroom rules. Try to raise your hand if you know the answer so your teacher sees you’re willing to participate in class. Beginning good work habits in the beginning of the school year will help ensure they stay with you throughout the year.