First Class Anxiety

By Krysa DiMasso
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
January 21, 2011

No matter how many times in my life I have had to start something new, whether it be a new school, a new class, a new job I have always felt nervous and anxious not knowing what to expect. You would think that all the experience I have had at starting something new I wouldn’t feel the way that I do. Interestingly enough you would think that knowing that you are not the only one in the same situation it would make you feel better. But at least for me this is not the case. As a future educator this makes me think how I will want to start off the first day of class for my student’s. To me first impressions mean a lot and my first day of Dr. Boyanton’s class was an experience like I have never had before.

In the past most of my first days of class were all very similar. I would walk in, sit down and wait to meet my new teacher. The teacher would come in, introduce themselves and hand out their syllabus. We would go over the syllabus as a class and then the teacher would answer any questions that we might have. Before I would know it, it was time to leave and I would always leave with the same feeling of anxiety. Not knowing what to expect, nervous about no knowing anyone, and questioning whether or not I can go through with the class.

That’s why I realize that giving student’s a way to get to know each other and break the ice the first day of class is important to the mental well being of your student’s. The name game we played in class was a great way to start a first day of class. This activity helped me to feel less nervous in front of my peers and was a great way to get to know one another. As a future teacher this experience will be one that I won’t forget and probably an activity that I will consider doing with my student’s.