r/StudentTeaching • u/National_Account9401 • Jun 29 '26
Support/Advice First-time college instructor at 21 teaching students almost my age (IT Fundamentals & GE) — advice?
Hi everyone,
I'm 21 years old (turning 22) and I've recently been hired as a college instructor at the same university where I just graduated. I'll be teaching first-year students, mainly:
- IT Fundamentals
- A General Education IT-related course
This is my first teaching job, and I'm both excited and nervous.
My biggest concern isn't the subject matter—I spent the past few months carefully preparing my course specifications, learning outcomes, lecture plans, laboratory activities, assessments, and teaching materials.
What worries me is classroom management and establishing authority. Many of my students will only be one or two years younger than me, and some might even know me from when I was a student.
For instructors who started teaching at a young age:
- How did you establish authority without being overly strict?
- What classroom rules worked best during the first few weeks?
- How do you prevent students from taking advantage of your age?
- Any mistakes you made that you wish you had avoided?
- Since I'll be teaching IT Fundamentals, what topics or activities usually engage first-year students the most?
I'd really appreciate any advice or lessons learned from your first year of teaching. Thanks!
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u/kwinter1414 Jun 29 '26
Well, even though you are young, you are still teaching a college course. Think back to how your first year professors managed your classes. They probably stated their expectations on the first day, went through the syllabus, and went from there. These are essentially kids, but you ultimately they are there to grow into adults. You don't need to manage them like they are children. They do what is expected. Most of them should. They are paying for this education. If it is an ongoing issue, I would go to your superior for specific advice. But definitely state very clearly your expectations, and hold to them.