I usually start off going over the rules on the first day, and I start by saying "welcome to your next job".
I explain to them that we don't really decide how they dress or how they act, this is what hiring managers are looking for. If we start now, it will be second nature in no time.
Practical and cerebral is not the only thing our students have to focus on or get greaded on.
It is my opiniun that first day impressing indeed very important for our students!!!
The first day of the course sets the tone for the course. I always want to be present the first day to outline expectations. This will help alleviate any future issues.
I agree that if you don't set the expectations/rules of the class on the first day the class is harder to control. To take it a step further, the instructor then needs to hold students accountable to those expectations/rules. It doesn't pay to be a softy, and let students slide on the expectations. The instructor loses the respect of the students if they don't hold the entire class accountable to those expectations/rules.
I personally don't like surprises , I like to be told the first day what is expected of me and what will I need to excell in that area
