Hi Roberta, First welcome to our profession. You are going to have a great career as an educator. Be prepared both with your syllabus, course requirements and your first day and you will be fine. A positive first impression can be made by being professional with your opening of the class and then have your method of introduction laid clearly. I would suggest that you have an ice breaker that you can use with the students as a part of the introductions. The ice breaker will give you a chance to size up the class, get settled in and help you get over any nerves that you might have. After that it is a matter of bringing your A game to the class each and everyday for the benefit of your students. Gary