The beginning of the semester is a busy and exciting time for students and instructors. Despite this normal chaos, how can we help our students begin on a positive note? Have you considered writing a welcome letter (or email)? I have written one for years. I send it via email and post it in my announcements in the learning management system. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself and the course content, remind students of meeting time/room (or how to access an online course), and …the options are endless. But, don’t make the letter endless. They should be genuine and to the point.
Need more ideas? Read Faculty Focus’s most popular article of 2017: A Memo to My Students as the New Semester Begins.