This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA
. Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.
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Going off to college is an exciting time. You’ll get to meet new people, learn new things, and have tons of new experiences. Along with all this, they’ll be moments when you have to introduce yourself. So, we’ve put together this helpful list of tips for introducing yourself in a college environment. There are ideas for different situations, so take a look at them all and pick out what works for you.
Steps
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Now that you’ve made it to college, you’ll be meeting professors and students. Everyone is probably a little anxious to be up in front of a new class at college, so remember that it's alright to feel nervous. Instead of speaking quickly and quietly, speak loud enough for everyone in the classroom to hear you and ensure that your words are understandable. [1] X Expert Source Ashley Pritchard, MA
Academic & School Counselor Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.- For example, instead of looking at the floor and murmuring your name, look around the room at classmates and say your name in an assertive voice.
- It's also important to make eye contact while you speak. This will make you appear more confident and self-assured, even if you don't feel it!
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This will make people remember something about you, even if they forget your name. Think of something that’s really unique and interesting to grab peoples’ attention. Try to set yourself apart from classmates who just give basic information about themselves in their intros. [2] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source
- For example, you might say, "Hi, I'm Raj and I taught scuba diving over the summer." You could then tell a funny story from teaching the class if you have enough time.
- You could also tell your class where you're from and something interesting about the place. For example, if you’re from Roswell, New Mexico, say you’re from the UFO capital of the world!
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This can help you connect with students who have similar interests. If you're in an introductory course, you'll probably have classmates who are majoring in different subjects. Briefly tell the class what you'd like to focus on academically and what you're hoping to do with your degree. [3] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source
- You could say, "I've always loved to write and I'm interested in current events, so I'm a journalism major."
- If you don't know what you're going to major in yet, don't worry! You can tell the class that you're undecided or just mention a few courses you're taking this term.
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Remember that everybody here is new and looking for potential friends. This is a good opportunity to mention a unique hobby or interest you have in case others in the class share your interests. Someone might decide they want to get to know you more and come up to you after class! [4] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- For example, you could say, “I love to rock climb and I’ve heard there are some good spots nearby. If anyone wants to partner up and go climbing, let me know after class!”
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That way, you won’t feel too put-on-the-spot. Run through your introduction at home before you get in front of your class. Try speaking before a mirror so you can watch your expressions and go through the speech at least once or twice so you feel comfortable with what you're going to say. [5] X Research source
- If it helps, ask a friend or family member to watch you speak. They can give you useful feedback or offer encouragement.
- Try to limit your introductions to under 1 minute long. You probably won’t get a lot of time to talk when you introduce yourself in classes, so this helps ensure you can fit in everything you want to say.
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Your instructor will probably ask you to make an introductory post on the class board. They may instruct you to tell others your name and why you're taking the course, for example. You might be asked to give a little background too. Read through the prompt carefully and spend some time giving a thoughtful response. [6] X Expert Source Ashley Pritchard, MA
Academic & School Counselor Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.- It might be tempting to rush through the introductory post and reply with vague basics, but remember that taking the time to make thoughtful posts will make you feel more invested in the course.
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These details help others form a first impression of you. Since you won't be able to interact in person, try to make your introduction interesting and unique so your classmates get a sense of who you are. You could tell the class where you're from or what type of career you want, for instance. [7] X Research source
- You might say, "I'm Alex and I took a few years off of school to start my own photography business. Unfortunately, I'm a great photographer, but not such a great business person. I'm hoping to learn some financial tips from this course for running my own business."
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Although it may not be required, consider updating your profile with a picture of yourself. Being able to show what you look like and see what your classmates' appearances can create a sense of community for the course. If you’re doing a mix of in-person and online courses, you might get recognized on campus and grab a coffee with someone from your class, too! [8] X Research source
- If you don't feel comfortable uploading a picture of yourself, you should be able to select an image or avatar that represents your interests.
- You might need to upload a video introduction too. If so, write a brief introduction as though you were going to give it in person. Practice before filming and uploading the video.
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Online courses can feel impersonal sometimes. So, take a few minutes to comment on someone else's introduction. This will foster a friendly atmosphere for the course and will help you build relationships with your classmates, which can be handy when it's time to study for exams or share notes. [9] X Trustworthy Source Kansas University Center for Community Health and Development Community-based research center focused on supporting public health development and education Go to source
- For example, you might reply to a classmate's introduction by saying, "Hi, Zara, it's great to meet you. I'm also a math major so maybe we'll be in other classes together!"
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Joining a club, a team, or any organization is a great way to meet people. Many on-campus clubs and organizations hold open houses and meet and greets. Check information boards or search on your school’s website for information about different events, attend them, and introduce yourself to other students there to get to know people with similar interests. [10] X Trustworthy Source Edutopia Educational nonprofit organization focused on encouraging and celebrating classroom innovation Go to source
- For example, if you’re into sports, you could look for an intramural soccer team or dodgeball team to join.
- Other ways you can get involved and meet others on campus include getting an on-campus job, doing research with a professor, or finding an internship.
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Being friendly and greeting people you see around can help you get to know others. Spend time in common areas like study rooms and introduce yourself to people you run into there. Say hi to people who live on your floor in the dorm or who you see walking around. You might spark up a conversation and make new friends! [11] X Research source
- It’s fine if not everyone you say hi to turns into a friend or even an acquaintance, but putting yourself out there helps people get to know you as well and lets them know you might be open to talking or hanging out.
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Spending time with others outside of class is a great way to form friendships. Ask someone from your class to study for an upcoming test or invite someone from your dorm to grab lunch one day. Chances are other new students are looking to get to know people and make friends too! [12] X Research source
- You could even try to form a study group for a class or find a group of people who like to do the same activities to hang out with multiple new people.
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Before you get into college, you might have to briefly talk to an admissions officer. You may be called over to an interviewer's table or they may come over to where you're sitting. If this is the case, stand up and firmly shake their hand. Then, clearly tell them your name and take a seat when they offer it. [13] X Expert Source Ashley Pritchard, MA
Academic & School Counselor Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.- Make eye contact and smile so you appear self-assured, even if you feel a little nervous!
- A lot of interviewers will start things off by asking you to tell them about yourself. Keep things conversational while you let them know a few key facts about where you're from, your educational background, or jobs that you've had.
- Remember to thank the interviewer for their time before leaving.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow should I introduce myself on the first day of school?Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.If your teacher has given you a specific prompt, follow that. Otherwise, just state your full name. You can include your preferred pronouns if you have any. Don't overthink it though; you don't need to get super fancy with your intro.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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QuestionI have a throat problem. I don't speak loader.What should I do?Gavin DonnellyCommunity AnswerIf it's a small class, maybe the volume won't be such an issue. However, if you want to introduce yourself to a big group of people and it's too hard to raise your voice, you could maybe write an introduction and have someone else read it for you.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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References
- ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2022/08/a-simple-way-to-introduce-yourself
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2022/08/a-simple-way-to-introduce-yourself
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/making-good-friends.htm
- ↑ https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/
- ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.devry.edu/blog/how-to-introduce-yourself-in-an-online-college-class.html
- ↑ https://www.devry.edu/blog/how-to-introduce-yourself-in-an-online-college-class.html
- ↑ https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/leadership/leadership-functions/build-sustain-relationships/main
- ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/social-and-academic-benefits-team-sports
- ↑ https://au.reachout.com/articles/what-makes-a-good-friend
- ↑ https://www.torrens.edu.au/stories/blog/student-life/the-5-big-benefits-of-studying-with-friends-and-how-it-could-save-you-money
- ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
About This Article
College is a great place to meet new people and build your social skills. If you need to introduce yourself in class, speak clearly and confidently. Tell everyone your name and say something memorable about yourself. For instance, you might mention an unusual skill or an interesting experience you had. In a class setting, it’s also a good idea to talk about your academic interests or your area of study. If you’re meeting other people outside of class, keep it a little more casual. Smile, say hi, and tell them your name. Say something about your hobbies, since that can be a great way to find common interests. If you feel a connection with someone, don’t be afraid to invite them to hang out or study with you.
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