CATL Blog: Thoughts and Insights from CATL

Posted 11:29 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Why the First Day of Class Matters

As a new semester begins, it can be tempting to treat the first day of class as a time for housekeeping: reviewing the syllabus, discussing policies, and dismissing students early. Yet research suggests that the first day has a lasting impact on students’ motivation, engagement, and success throughout the semester. So, CATL challenges you to plan for less housekeeping! This blog post has some ideas for you to consider.

At last year's Conference on Teaching and Learning, CATL facilitated a workshop title “Start Strong: The importance of the first day of class” that focused on designing an intentional and impactful first class meeting. The session encouraged instructors to think beyond logistics and instead use the first day to create curiosity, build community, establish expectations, and signal that learning begins immediately.  

The First Day Sets the Tone

The first class meeting can influence student motivation, academic achievement, retention, participation, and even students' end-of-semester evaluations of the instructor. While no single class session determines the outcome of a course, students often form strong first impressions that shape how they engage with the learning experience.

Research on student preferences provides some useful insights. Students report appreciating a general course overview, information about grading, opportunities to get to know their instructor, and a welcoming, engaging atmosphere. Conversely, they are less enthusiastic about beginning course content immediately if it comes at the expense of connection and context, poorly organized use of class time, or environments that feel uncaring or intimidating.

Four Principles for an Effective First Day

Drawing on James Lang's advice for teaching a successful first day, the workshop highlighted four key principles instructors can incorporate into their course design.

1. Spark Curiosity: Students should leave the first class wanting to learn more. Consider beginning with a compelling question, surprising example, relevant problem, or intriguing demonstration that captures students' attention and illustrates the value of the course. The first day should spark students' interest in the content.
   
   
2. Foster Community: A sense of belonging supports learning and persistence. The first day provides an opportunity to help students connect with one another and to communicate that they are valued members of the learning community. Activities that encourage introductions, conversation, and collaboration can build this foundation from the outset. The first day should foster a sense of belonging.
   
   
3. Establish Learning Expectations: Students take cues from the first class about what participation and engagement will look like throughout the semester. If active learning, discussion, problem-solving, or collaboration are important components of your course, consider incorporating them on day one. The first day should set an expectation of engagement.
   
   
4. Clarify Expectations: Students appreciate understanding how the course works and what will be expected of them. Rather than reading through every syllabus policy, consider providing a practical guide to course success. Highlight key structures, resources, and strategies that will help students navigate the course effectively. The first day should provide a "how-to" guide for the course.

Looking Ahead

As you finalize your first-day plans, consider asking yourself four simple questions:

• How will I spark curiosity?
• How will I build community?
• How will I communicate that learning starts today?
• How will I help students understand the path to success in this course?

These questions formed the closing discussion of CATL's 2025 Confernece on Teaching and Learning workshop and remain useful prompts for course design. Do you want to talk about these questions or your first day? Schedule a meeting with a CATL staff member and/or join us in community at this year's Conference on Teaching and Learning on September 1, 2026. The conference provides an opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues, learn about evidence-based teaching practices, and gather practical strategies that can enhance student learning throughout the academic year.

A thoughtful first day won't guarantee a perfect semester, but it can create a strong foundation. By approaching that first class with purpose and intention, instructors can help students feel welcomed, engaged, and ready to learn from day one.