How to Introduce Yourself in College

Giving a Confident Classroom Introduction

1. 
   Speak clearly and loudly when you say your name. Everyone is probably a little anxious to be up in front of a new class at college, so remember that it's alright to feel nervous. Instead of speaking quickly and quietly, speak loud enough for everyone in the classroom to hear you and ensure that your words are understandable.^[1]

   1. For example, instead of looking at the floor and murmuring your name, look at classmates and say your name in an assertive voice.

   Tip: It's also important to make eye contact while you speak. This will make you appear more confident and self-assured, even if you don't feel it!

2. 
   Tell the class something memorable about yourself. Chances are that most of your classmates enjoy doing things like spending time with friends or watching movies. Although you could say that you like these things, try to think of something about you that's more unique. This will help your classmates remember you.^[2]

   1. For example, you might say, "Hi, I'm Raj and I taught scuba diving over the summer." You could then tell a funny story from teaching the class if you have enough time.
   2. You could also tell your class where you're from and something interesting about the place.
3. 
   Explain your academic interests. If you're in an introductory course, you'll probably have classmates who are majoring in different subjects. Briefly tell the class what you'd like to focus on academically and what you're hoping to do with your degree.^[3]

   1. You could say, "I've always loved to write and I'm interested in current events, so I'm a journalism major."
   2. If you don't know what you're going to major in yet, don't worry! You can tell the class that you're undecided or just mention a few courses you're taking this term.
4. 
   Limit your introduction to around 1 minute. If you're in a large class, you may not be able to spend very long introducing yourself. Plan on giving your introductory speech in under a minute, so you don't feel rushed or spend too long talking. You might be able to give a longer introduction if you're in a small class that's devoted to group work.

   1. If you're unsure of how long to speak, try to gauge how long other students in the class are speaking for and match their time. For example, if people are only giving their names and majors, avoid speaking for several minutes about your hobbies and interests.
5. 
   Practice your brief introduction speech before college starts. Run through your introduction at home before you get in front of your class. Try speaking before a mirror so you can watch your expressions and go through the speech at least once or twice so you feel comfortable with what you're going to say.^[4]

   1. If it helps, ask a friend or family member to watch you speak. They can give you useful feedback or offer encouragement.