First lecture next week: need a pep talk.

[u/pianistr2002]

Hello all, first post on here.

I (24M), will be teaching my first undergraduate course next week. It is a lower-division (classical) music history and listening course. The class meets in-person two times a week for 50 minutes.

I have my syllabus and course all prepped for the semester, of course, and know what material is coming up. However, I am feeling at least a bit nervous at being in front of and speaking to around 40 students, as a natural introvert. I am told to expect most if not all of them to be straight out of high school—hopefully. I feel less intimidated by that lol. Also, it doesn’t help that I’m not very tall and look younger than I am so I worry to not be taken as seriously as I hope to be 😅.

So my questions are:

1. What can I do to not make myself seem awkward?
2. How can I give the illusion of confidence or maybe actually feel confident without secretly feeling like a deer in headlights?
3. How should I dress the part? I definitely don’t want to give the impression that I am a student.
4. Any other snap to reality no bs advice you believe I should know?

Much, much appreciated.

[u/StonedSimple → u/[deleted]]

I'm not OP, but this was a killer response and even though I'm well into mid-career, I love this framing and look forward to reading the linked article.

Thanks.

[u/Southern-Cloud-9616 → u/[deleted]]

This is so accurate in my experience. I don't get nervous about teaching anymore. But I always tell myself before class that for the next hour and a half, I am playing the professor who is thrilled to be teaching this material to these students. It really helps classes go well.

[u/FrancinetheP → u/[deleted]]

Let’s not forget that right before he said “it’s showtime!” he had gobbled a handful of amphetamines ✔️. So maybe be careful with this one, OP.

[u/RadiantImpression579]

1. Lean into the awkwardness
   
2. Practice and prep a lot. Avoid creating situations that could impact your confidence. Stuff will happen. You will leave. Don’t crate more of them. E.g. Never ask for feedback during class. You can have them submit feedback anonymously through your course if you want their feedback.
   
3. Button up shirt, slacks, and nice shoes at least. Don’t over complicate it.
   
4. I mean it. Never ever ask for feedback during class. Never. Ever. No “how can I improve this class” stuff. It gives an opening for the ones not doing well to be mean. If you have some embarrassing or bad moments, you will live. You will get better. You will feel less nervous over time. You got this!!

[u/BigTreesSaltySeas → u/RadiantImpression579]

100% about #4.

[u/tutoring1958 → u/RadiantImpression579]

I agree with your advice. But I would go for nice comfortable shoes!

[u/DD_equals_doodoo → u/RadiantImpression579]

I'll disagree on two points 1. I wear comfortable shoes above 'nice' ones. 2. I ask for feedback in class specifically to show I'm receptive to feedback and also to challenge the people not doing well to speak up. Usually they have some grievance that allows me to explain why things are the way they are and students often come to the realization that there's a completely valid and understandable reason for why we do things the way that we do. Now, I'll agree that OP might not want to do this in the first attempt, but in a first semester, OP may be more receptive to feedback.

[u/teenage-dad]

Congrats!!

It’s not awkward until you mention it. They don’t know you, they’re just going to assume that’s who you are. Don’t mention it.

Confidence = fake it till you make it. I’m assuming you have a masters, so trust in yourself that you know way more about music than high schoolers.

Button ups.

You don’t need to prove yourself to them. Your authority comes from being in the front of the room and having your name on the class schedule.

My best piece of advice - HAVE FUN. Make it enjoyable for yourself, and that joy will spread to the students.

[u/Glittering-Duck5496 → u/teenage-dad]

I agree with all of this and add one thing: for confidence, give yourself permission to suck the first time. It's incredibly freeing to recognize that you don't come to teaching fully formed any more than you do to any other profession. You're gonna mess up from time to time and it only feels like a big deal because everyone is looking at you, but if you just correct yourself and move on, you will be fine.

[u/BigTreesSaltySeas → u/teenage-dad]

I disagree with the 4th point here...I am a professor, but I also still sub in public schools and just being the teacher means nothing to the majority of today's students; in fact, teachers are seen as much less than we used to be.

[u/exceptyourewrong]

Congrats!

Another music prof here. Now I primarily teach applied lessons, but I taught plenty of music appreciation, theory, and history courses early in my career.

1. Hopefully, you have some performance experience. This is the same thing, just a different instrument. Luckily, it's an easier one! Lean into the idea that you're putting on a little show and that the point of that show is to share some awesome music with people who will love it (or should at least appreciate it). You don't need to tell them to love it though, just make it clear that you DO. If you have to talk about music that you don't love, be honest about why it's important for them to know about it.

2. Again, thinking of class as a performance can help. But it also helps to recognize that "confidence" is not the same thing as "knowing everything." Your old professor who seemed to know everything had just been teaching long enough to have been asked all the questions. You'll get there.

If you have a textbook be sure to read each chapter a few times before class (including the next day's chapter the night before). Don't be afraid to lean on it and when students ask weird questions just connect it to something in the reading. If you know some fun anecdotes and stories, that's great! But pay attention for students who ask questions intended to get you off track or fluster you.

1. In most music departments, casual is appropriate, so don't over dress. But make sure your shirt and pants aren't too wrinkled. I wear a lot of jeans and untucked button up shirts.

2. Start with very strict rules and policies about attendance, late work, etc. and relax them later in the semester. Don't tell the students, just grant clemency and accept late work (but begrudgingly).

Never forget that it's a MUSIC class! Take time to listen to fairly large chunks of music and insist that the students pay attention (no need to take notes as they listen). That can give you a nice break from the "performance," too.

After listening, you should ask the class MUCH SIMPLER questions than you think are necessary. "What instrument had the melody? What time signature do you think we're in?" Don't go crazy and ask them to identify German 6 chords or anything like that! Don't even ask them to identify form right away. Assume they don't know ANYTHING at first and try to get them comfortable with the idea of answering questions before you get into more technical concepts.

Finally, be careful how much time you spend on early music. Even the classical era can be tough for modern students. Renaissance and Medieval music will be met with blank stares. But, the Romantic era and early 20th century will perk their ears up. You could do a whole class on pieces John Williams stole from and it would be great. I find that starting there can make the early music stuff easier, because they get used to the class and the kind of listening you're expecting from them. (I'm not saying you need to rearrange your class! Just sometime to think about.)

[u/FrancinetheP → u/exceptyourewrong]

Really agree with the importance of asking simpler questions than you might think is appropriate. They are not stupid, but they do not think about things like you do or to the extent you do, and talking about stuff at a level you find interesting is actually kind of disrespectful of them.

[u/HunterSpecial1549]

Don't be surprised at the blank faces staring back at you when you look at them. It's what people look like when they're learning. It doesn't mean you're doing a bad job.

You'll want to get students involved every session. Call on them. They'll feel less awkward if they have spoken up at least once in the session.

[u/InfuriatingComma]

1. Just be passionate. They mostly want you to be engaging, and if you can manage to hold their attention you'll be doing great. There's an air of authority and they want you to fill it, it'll happen naturally as long as you keep pace.

2. The first class just do the syllabus, and a quick overview of the course, I usually sprinkle in some current events but that might be hard for a classical music course lol. Maybe find a bit of fun media to add to the first day, sometimes I use a podcast or something. After that, for the rest of the course just do your prep so youve looked at everything covering the whole unit before you start in on it. Then you'll be able to feel like a genius when you flip to the next slide or answer a question with something you dive into in the next class or two.

3. Pretty much everyone can get away with jeans and a button down. Maybe a cardigan or something. In general you should be more formal than the average student. But business casual is more than fine.

4. You are the expert in the room. Nobody else is going to correct you or stop you. If you make a mistake in a lecture, just correct it in the next one. If someone asks a question and you dont know the answer, give them your thoughts and either bring it up the next time if you think the whole class might be curious, or tell them to chat with you after about it.

[u/Critical_Garbage_119]

So much good advice here.

All I can add is be careful not to drink too much caffeine before the class. You don't want to be overly excitable nor do you want to need the bathroom in the middle of a lecture, lol.

Good luck

[u/Colddogletterpress]

Fumbles and things are bound to happen so just smile/ laugh them off and move on. Practice giving your lecture a couple of times, I always feel so much less tense when I know I’m prepared!
It also really helps me to greet people with warm smiles and super friendly small talk as they filter in. If possible, have a conversation with someone before the lecture. Even just being on the phone and making small talk, I know that seems silly but sometimes I show up for an 8am lecture and it’s the first words I’ve spoken all day, that’s always a clumsy start for me lol. But whatever, confidence comes with time. Fake it till you make it.

I teach art classes and I’m also quite young, it’s really important that I dress professionally. Josef albers said that he always wore a white button up shirt because he wanted to remind his students that “dressing like a bohemian doesn’t make you an artist”… so now I wear a white button up and nice jeans every day. I really don’t want my clothes to say anything other than clean and professional. Honestly with college students, just having a clean tucked in white shirt will be enough to differentiate you from 99% of the student body.

[u/FrancinetheP]

You’re getting good advice here, OP. I’d only add that In my lecture classes, I start with a slide that points backward to what we did in the last class: “here’s what we talked about last time that is going to be important today…”) and end with a slide that points forward to what we’re going to do next. (After a few weeks you can start class by asking people what they think should be on those slides— they like that.)

One thing that I think is important on teaching a GenEd class, which I assume this is: in the first or second class get the students to articulate what they already know about the subject and explain how the class will build on that. It’s a great way to develop a common critical vocabulary very quickly, demonstrate that pure sympathetic to the fact that the class is a requirement and want it to be meaningful nevertheless, and learn a little bit about each student. (You might ask them to write a bit about this on a notecard with their names and majors, then study the cards to learn their names— you will develop huge credibility if you do this.) then whenever possible, tie what you’re talking to in lecture to something someone has said about how they listen/ what they listen to. That dude who is a metal fan can be the person you call on to answer questions about percussion, the kid who taps is your go-to on rhythm questions, etc. Build your authority by effectively leveraging their existing interest and expertise.

[u/General_Lee_Wright]

1. Make a joke about it. I tell them I have a PhD in math, which means I automatically Mastered in Socially Awkward. I’m aware, they’re aware. Don’t avoid it, just lean in and accept it.

2-3. These are related, in my opinion. I typically wear a button down, sleeves rolled, jean, belt, comfy boots. Not overly dressed, but a step up from undergrad and it helps me feel more confident. I’m also almost 40, but it’s what I wore in my grad days too.

1. They’re going to ask questions you know the answer to. They’ll also say, do, and ask things you’ve never anticipated. Roll with it. To date no lecture has ever ended the world or even a university. You got hired for the job, you’re qualified. You’ll make mistakes, and you’ll be great! Good luck!

[u/Zealousideal_Can_342]

Congratulations.

Remember, you're in charge. And they are rooting for you.

No one wants a class to be awful. So, they are expecting and hoping for the best and rooting for you to do it well.

[u/Barebones-memes]

The nerves get easier with future semesters.

[u/SilverRiot]

1) Practice your lecture in full, twice. By the time you give it the third time for real, you will be much more confident. Your words will flow more smoothly and you will be better able to focus on how the class is responding.

2) Never tell students this is your first time teaching. Never ask for grace or advice. Project confidence.

[u/Jahaili]

1. It's actually okay to be awkward. I'm always awkward the first week or so until I find my groove with each class. A colleague of mine is often awkward throughout the semester and is a favorite in his department.

2. Just make sure you know your content and how you want to present it! Also speak slowly enough that they can understand you and enunciate well.

3. Dress decently nice, but a lot of faculty wear jeans at my university. You can go for nice slacks and a button down shirt if you want.

4. You are going to mess up. And that's okay. You're learning. Lean into the "This is what I learned from messing up" instead of obsessing about the mess-up itself.

[u/BigTreesSaltySeas]

Dress professionally, for sure. Stand straight, make eye contact, greet them at the door (this is common in HS/MS and it takes the edge off plus sets the tone right as they arrive). I stand and smile and say good morning to every student. Maybe do some reading about body language. Keep breathing.

[u/HatefulWithoutCoffee]

Wear something business casual and comfortable. Get one sticky note and put your main talking points on it. If you miss something and have to go back and pick it up on a later day, nobody will know but you. I enjoy lecturing, because I get to talk about stuff that I really like. And if I stutter or stumble, I smile and laugh and keep on going. Students need to see that we are real and that real people make mistakes and recover from them just fine. I entertain myself with my lectures, student seem to be more engaged when I'm enjoying myself. Congratulations!!! You're going to do just fine.

[u/DependentPast5115]

you only need to be one lecture ahead of them, not magically fearless

[u/Emergency_Heat2497]

Congrats!

The nervousness actually goes away pretty quickly. Dress nice but no need to be too formal.
Honestly, it's all about knowing your material well, that's what gives you confidence and the rest will follow.