Make a positive 1st impression

You don’t get a second chance at a first impression.

This statement is an overused cliché, but the odds are that you have heard this from a parent, counselor, or teacher. While the saying may be trite, it resounds with truth.

As we start this new semester, The Eagle urges you to remember that adage, because first impressions DO matter. The beginning of a semester is the perfect time to give a good impression. You may have classes with a professor that you have had in the past, but there is a good chance that you will have a new professor. This is your opportunity to establish yourself as a dedicated learner.

Even if you have the same professors that you have had in the past, it is still possible to kick start your semester and start with a fresh page. You just have to make an effort.

There are a few things that you can do to give a good impression. The first of which is to be on time. Being punctual is a trait that all professional and responsible people possess, and it speaks volume to character.

Another way is to dress like an adult. While it is remarkably easier to roll out of bed, throw on a pair of sweats, and walk into class, dressing like you care about how you present yourself makes a difference in how people perceive you.

College is the best time to start making a professional impression. The people that you meet in college are the people that are going to help you make connections that you will need to get a job after graduation.

To throw another extremely overused adage at you, it’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know. As an up and coming adult, it is important to impress the people that you will be asking for references, whether that is in nine months or four years.

Not only are you going to want positive references from your professors, but if they think that you are a deserving student, then they may present you with opportunities to meet even more people that may help you in the future.

It may seem like these are all things you won’t need until later, but first impressions last longer than one would think. That being said, take a moment at the beginning of this semester to evaluate ways that you can make a better impression.

Practicing making good first impressions will also help you become a more responsible person 100 percent of the time, and you might be surprised at the opportunities that pop up.