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How to Introduce Yourself in an Online College Class

By DeVry University

March 16, 2022

5 min read

Speaking in front of people can be nerve-wracking, and if you've never had to introduce yourself in an online class before, you might be a little bit nervous about what to say.

In this article, we’ll talk about how you introduce yourself in an online college class, tips to improve your introduction and examples of what a good class introduction might look like in the following sections:

You might discover that introducing yourself in an online class is easier than you think.

Why a Proper Introduction Matters

If you're not spending time with your professors or classmates in person, you might think the way you introduce yourself to the class in an online setting doesn’t matter or that your classmates don’t need to know anything about you. But even if your only interactions happen virtually, a proper introduction in an online college class is actually pretty important.

Unlike in-person classes, you don’t have as much regular face-to-face interaction with your classmates in an online format. Nailing your introduction in an online class helps show your personality, allows you to make connections with your online classmates and give them a little insight into how you think, which will help them interact with you later on.

You’re not just introducing yourself to the class, you’re introducing yourself to the professor too. Your introduction is the first real chance you get to show what you’re like as a student and that you're dedicated to learning and absorbing the knowledge they have to share.

Steps to Introduce Yourself in an Online Class

Here are three things that will help you perfect your class introduction:

    1. Take a High-Quality Profile Picture

    First step: put a face to your name. By uploading a high-quality picture of yourself into your student profile, you’ll be easy to recognize for both your professor and your classmates.
     

    For this photo, you should present yourself as professionally as possible. You'll also want to take the photo against a neutral background that isn’t distracting and allows your face to be clearly visible. Ideally, your face should be framed in the center of the photo.
     

    If possible, have someone else take your photo, as these tend to look more professional than a selfie. If no one is available to take the photo for you, set your phone to take a picture on a timer so you can frame the shot beforehand.

    1. Fill Out Your Student Profile

    Your student profile is just as important as your actual introduction. Not only is it a place where you can recap everything you say in your introduction, but you’ll have more room to go into details about your interests, career goals, education and background to help people get to know you better.

    1. Prepare Your Online Class Introduction

      Introducing yourself doesn’t have to be a painful experience. If you’re nervous, keep it brief and personable. If you’re not, feel free to add a little more detail. How you approach it is totally up to you, but here are some things you can mention:

    1. Talk about what you do: If you’re working, you might choose to share your job title, the company you work for and a few key responsibilities you oversee. If you’re focusing on your studies, you can share the program you’re enrolled in, when you plan to graduate and what you hope to do once you’ve earned your degree.

    2. Mention your hobbies: Mentioning your hobbies can be a great way to connect with other students in the class. You never know who has the same interests and sharing what you like to do may help you build new relationships.

    3. Explain what you hope to get out of the class: This one is optional, but a good thing to include nevertheless. Even if your professor doesn’t specifically ask this question, it can be a great way to show them that you’re invested in the course. Mentioning a skill you want to learn, a certain area of business you want to expand your knowledge on or a credential you’re hoping to add to your resume are great ways to answer this question.

    1. Use a Professional Tone

      When it's finally time to introduce yourself to the class, make sure to present yourself in a professional yet friendly manner. You don't have to be overly formal, but it’s important to show that you’re well prepared.


      If your introduction is via video, use clear, concise language and make sure that you speak loudly enough to be heard. Not everyone has a perfect internet connection or great speakers, so speaking as clearly as possible is a big help for everyone.


      If your introduction is written on the class discussion board, for example, you’ll have a little more time to finesse your thoughts. Be sure to proofread your introduction before posting it to ensure that it’s free of any typos or grammatical errors.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Online Class - Example

Despite reading the information above, you might still be wondering exactly where to start. To help, here's a quick example of how you can introduce yourself in an online college class:

"Hello! My name is John Smith and I’m a customer support specialist at XYZ company. I enjoy working with customers and managing my team’s monthly goals. I live in Philadelphia with my spouse and 3 kids. During my free time, I like watching my kids play baseball, cycling and practicing my photography skills. I’m planning to graduate in the spring with my Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems with a Software Programming specialization, and I’m excited to learn more about programming languages as I prepare to pursue the CompTIA A+ exam. I’m looking forward to collaborating with all of you!”

Enroll in an Online Class Today

At DeVry, we've offered online education for more than 20 years. Today, we offer online classes in a variety of different studies, so you can find a program that fits your personal goals. Our classes start every 8 weeks, so you can hit the ground running whenever you’re ready.

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