Hi Melissa, When I have a class where my students are uncertain about their abilities to be successful the activities I use are very basic. Example, I have students interview each other using a set of questions I have created that cover the basics of the field on an entry level. The students take turns interviewing each other so that the students get to share their life experiences in the context of the course. This really helps to boost their self confidence from the very first class meeting. I put the students into groups or pairs depending on how many students I have in the class and have them review case studies and make recommendations for solutions. I'm not sure of your field but if it is in the culinary arts for example I have the students talk about and resolve a menu planning situation. If it is medical I have them do a patient request case study. My point is the solutions are common sense so the students have little or no chance of failure but a high rate of success. While working on the cases they are getting to know other students and get settled in the class. There is very little pressure and they can get adjusted to how the class is going to be conducted. What it really amounts to is the activities are venue for getting the students acclimated to being college students and getting them to feel they can be successful. They need to know they are "in" in terms of being accepted in the course by fellow students and you the instructor. If you have any more questions please let me know and I will be glad to help. Gary