Write a course welcome message

In online courses the first week decides who stays. Students arrive anxious about where things are, what is expected and whether anyone will notice them. A good welcome message sounds like a person, not a policy document; tells students exactly what to do first and by when; sets expectations for time and communication; and makes asking for help feel normal. Short, well-timed announcements during week one keep momentum, remind people of the first deadline and nudge the ones who have not started, without nagging.

Write the welcome message and week-one announcements for
ph:course. Only if [INSTRUCTOR] is given: Instructor: [INSTRUCTOR]. Only if [PLATFORM] is given: Platform: [PLATFORM].

1. Use only the facts given. Wherever a needed fact is missing (dates, times, links, office hours, response times, the first deadline), insert a clear placeholder in square brackets, such as [first live session date and time, with time zone], and list all placeholders at the end. Do not invent dates or policies.
2. Welcome message (about 250 to 400 words):

• a warm, specific opening that says what students will be able to do by the end;
• who the instructor is, in two sentences, if given;
• "Your first three steps": numbered, concrete actions with where to click or go and a due date (for example: read the start-here page, post an introduction answering one specific prompt, complete the short readiness check);
• how the course runs each week, with the expected weekly hours;
• how to get help: where to post questions, how fast the instructor replies, office hours, technical support, and accessibility or accommodation requests (invite students to reach out privately);
• a short, human closing.

1. Week-one announcements: three short posts (under 120 words each): day 1 (it is open, start here), mid-week (reminder of the first deadline, a highlight from introductions, an invitation to ask questions), end of week (what is next, a note for anyone who has fallen behind with a simple way to catch up).
2. Write a short private message template for students who have not logged in by mid-week, kind and non-judgemental, offering help.

• Plain, friendly language at about a 9th-grade reading level; short paragraphs and lists that work on a phone.
• No jargon about the platform unless explained; no wall of rules. Link to the syllabus for policies rather than repeating them.
• Inclusive tone: acknowledge students may be working, caring for others or in different time zones; state time zones for every live event.
• Do not promise response times, extensions or accommodations the instructor has not confirmed; use placeholders.

Welcome message

Subject line, then the message.

Week-one announcements

Day 1, ### Mid-week, ### End of week, each with a title and body. Then ### Not-yet-started message.

Placeholders to fill

Bulleted list of every [placeholder] used.