The best way to break the ice within your class would be for the instructor to introduce themselves to the students, followed by a round of introductions where students go around the room and share an interesting fact or a hobby. This helps maintain calm in an already stressful situation, especially after introductions, when reviewing the class syllabus and course expectations. This will provide students with an understanding of what to expect in the course. Lastly, the instructor should hold a Q&A session where any questions that need clarification can be addressed.
