Relationship-Building Strategies for College Instructors: First Day Activities That Engage Students

 How to Build Classroom Community and Connection in Higher Education

Welcome, EduMagicians!

Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite relationship-building strategies for college instructors, especially for the first day of class. These activities are designed to foster connections between students and between students and instructors, creating a welcoming and engaging classroom environment from day one.

I teach an 8:00 a.m. course filled mostly with first-year students. Many arrive feeling overwhelmed, so I use the first day to help them feel seen, heard, and connected. Here are some tried-and-true strategies that have worked well in my college classroom.

College classroom

First Day of Relationship-Building Strategies for College Courses

1. Creative Introductions

I start with a simple round of introductions: students share their names, majors, and years. This year, I added a fun twist—each student shared their “carpool karaoke anthem.” From their song choices, I created a class Spotify playlist that plays as students enter the room. (Note: only clean, kid-friendly tracks!)

To encourage active listening, I challenge the class: “Can anyone stand up and name every student?” If someone succeeds, the whole class earns bonus points. It’s a fun way to emphasize the importance of knowing your peers.

2. Goosechase Digital Scavenger Hunt

Goosechase is a fantastic tech tool for creating interactive scavenger hunts. I divide students into teams and send them around campus and the education building to complete missions. It’s fast-paced, fun, and helps students bond while learning about their environment.

3. Flip Video Introductions

Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a great tool for video-based introductions. I open a grid before the semester starts and ask students to record a short video introducing themselves. Though some are nervous at first, they love recognizing classmates in the dorms and dining hall before classes even begin.

4. Syllabus Speed Dating

Instead of a traditional syllabus review, I use a speed dating format. Students pair up and answer three questions—two about the syllabus and one fun question (like “What’s your favorite breakfast food?”). After a few minutes of conversation, we regroup and share answers. Then, students rotate to a new partner. It’s a lively, interactive way to cover course content and build relationships.

5. Meet and Greet at the Door

One of the most impactful things I do is greet students by name at the door during the first week. I aim to learn every name by the end of week two. This small gesture goes a long way in building trust and rapport.

6. Collaborative Learning with PDE SAS Portal

To introduce the PDE SAS portal—a key resource for future teachers—I use a jigsaw activity. Students form six groups, each assigned a tab from the portal. After researching their tab, they regroup into mixed teams and teach each other about their assigned section. This method encourages collaboration, public speaking, and deeper understanding of the content.

These relationship-building strategies for college instructors help create a supportive, engaging classroom culture from the start. Whether you're teaching first-year students or upperclassmen, these activities can make a lasting impact.

Connect with Dr. Sam Fecich

Want to keep the conversation going beyond the blog? I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, or someone passionate about edtech and innovation in the classroom, there are plenty of ways to stay inspired and supported.

Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower. Take the free quiz: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower? and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom!

Join the Conversation on Instagram. Tag me @sfecich with your thoughts and takeaways.

Remember, EDUmagicians...You have the EduMagic within you. Keep shining, keep growing, and keep making a difference.