By Cyndi Maxey

If you are one of the millions of students who will be starting school next week you will have an opportunity to make first impressions many, many times. Here are ten first impressions you can make – simply as you enter the classroom – offered in order of increasing commitment.

1. Enter, smile at instructor, sit.
2. Enter, smile at instructor, sit, say hello.
3. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front.
4. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears.
5. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears, say how are you to student next to you.
6. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears, say how are you to student next to you, take the course textbook out of back pack.
7. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears, say how are you to student next to you, take the course textbook out of back pack, PUT SMART PHONE IN BACKPACK.
8. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears, say how are you to student next to you, take the course textbook out of back pack, PUT SMART PHONE IN BACKPACK, pull out small notebook and pen.
9. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears, say how are you to student next to you, take the course textbook out of back pack, PUT SMART PHONE IN BACKPACK, pull out small notebook and pen, ask instructor how are you?
10. Enter, smile at instructor, say hello, sit in front, pull earphones out of ears, say how are you to student next to you, take the course textbook out of back pack, PUT SMART PHONE IN BACKPACK, pull out small notebook and pen, ask instructor how are you? Say I’m looking forward to this class.

We know that FIRST IMPRESSIONS are hard to change. Which of the above will your professor remember most?

Editor’s note: These ten are easily adaptable to a class using E-Text books or even an online course. I’m sure you can figure it out. As the adage goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

©2018 Cyndi Maxey

Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks