On the very first day, I like to discuss the college experience in the abstract. I briefly explain how perceptions of higher education have changed over time and offer students an opportunity to think about how they want to grow and develop over the next four years. It’s not just about the degree! I also introduce the Doubting and Believing Games right off the bat, explaining their relevance to college-level work, and we do a dialectical notebook using quotes about the college experience. You can access that in-class worksheet here.
I also like to welcome students with this slideshow of famous Lehman alumni on the first day of class. Because many of my students are first-generation, it’s particularly important that they feel proud of their school and confident in their decision to attend.