The beginning of a course is important as it sets the tone for the entire class. Students often decide very early whether they will like the course, its content, the teacher, and their fellow students. For new teachers such expectations and demands can be overwhelming without good guidance and instruction. The following list offers a starting point to successfully teach a class, may that be for the very first time or later on in a teaching career. It is a catalog of suggestions for college teachers who are looking for fresh ways of creating the best possible environment for learning.