1st Class Anxiety: Good or Bad?

What effect does the 1^st class anxiety have on student motivation and learning? Is it beneficial or detrimental? Most students stated that high anxiety could interfere with their learning and thus could be counter-productive. Conversely, when teachers do create a comfortable environment, it can 1) lower the students’ anxiety level, 2) strengthen the peer relationship in class, 3) motivate the students to participate in class activities and assignments, and 4) increase the group work productivity. Through class discussion and journal reflection, most students recommended that classroom teachers should create a comfortable learning environment for their students especially on the first day of class because the first day environment “sets the tone for the rest of the semester.”

The hardest goal to achieve within a classroom is to create an atmosphere of comfort for the students especially on the first day of class. It is really important for a professor to create an activity which would allow the students to interact with one another in order to lower the level of anxiety within the students. When a zone of comfort is created in a classroom, the students tend to participate more in class discussion, class activities, and class work assignments. -- Patrick, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

The first day of class is akin to the first impression you receive when meeting someone new. I am usually apprehensive about the first encounter with both. In school, it sets the tone for the rest of the semester. This is the day when you realize whether or not the class will live up to your expectations and/or fears. -- Cathy, Jan 16, 2008, EDCI 6304

…the game we played helped me feel more comfortable and relax. I believe that a comfortable atmosphere helps the learner feel secure and more motivated to learn. -- Amy, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 6304

The name game was a great way to start up the class and help to familiarize everyone. This led to the group activity , which I also thought was a great success because we felt really comfortable working with each other as if we had already known each other for quite a while. -- Sally, Jan 16, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

To read more about 1st Class Anxiety:
1st Class Anxiety: the Phenomenon

1st Class Anxiety: Why?

1st Class Anxiety: Good or Bad?

1st Class Anxiety: the Solutions

1st Class Anxiety: the Reality