1st Class Anxiety: Why?

Why do college students feel so nervous when they attend the first class? What causes the 1^st class anxiety? Students reported that the major cause is the uncertainty about three factors: 1) the course (e.g., expectation, difficulty), 2) the instructor personality (e.g., mean, friendly); and 3) peers familiarity (e.g., know someone). All these uncertain factors made the students question themselves if they will succeed in this course as well as if they will be accepted and liked by the instructor or peers.

Uncertainty about the course

When I registered for the Learning and Cognition class, I was very nervous and excited. I was scared of this class because I heard rumors that this class is very difficult. Those rumors made me register one week before classes began. --Nancy, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 6304

The First day of class was really nerve wrecking because I didn't know what to expect. When a different semester rolls around there, I am nervous, like I haven't being through this enough times. -- Sunny, January 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I entered the classroom not knowing what to expect. I must admit I was a bit nervous in seeing so many new faces. I usually feel this way on the first day of class. -- Rose, January 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Uncertainty about the professor/peers

I was still very nervous. I did not know what to expect from my professor. As I was driving to class, I would ask myself, “Is she a mean professor, is she very demanding, is she nice, how many tests are there?”—Nancy, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 6304

Before class started, I felt nervous because I was not sure who would be my professor and my classmates. —Leah, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Upon arriving to class, I did not see a familiar face and that got me worried. -- Ally, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

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