250 Questions to Ask Students on the First Day of School

The first day of school is buzzing with excitement and curiosity! Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just someone interested in education, the right questions can turn nervous smiles into laughs and open conversations. 

Wondering what to ask? Read on for questions that will help break the ice and make the first day memorable for students.

Questions To Ask About Their Hobbies And Interests

1. What do you like to do in your free time?
2. Do you play any sports or musical instruments?
3. What’s your favorite book or movie, and why?
4. Do you have a favorite artist or type of art?
5. What hobbies do you enjoy outside of school?
6. What’s your favorite subject in school and why?
7. Are you a part of any clubs or groups?
8. What’s something new you want to learn or try this year?
9. Do you enjoy playing video games, and what’s your favorite one?
10. Have you ever made something yourself, like a craft or building project?
11. What kind of music do you like to listen to?
12. Do you enjoy cooking or baking? 
13. What’s your favorite recipe?
14. Have you ever traveled somewhere special for a hobby or interest?
15. Do you enjoy spending time outdoors? 
16. What’s your favorite activity?
17. Do you like puzzles, riddles, or brain teasers?
18. Do you have any pets, and do you enjoy taking care of them?
19. How do you usually spend your weekends?
20. What TV shows do you like to watch?
21. What’s the last fun thing you did with your friends or family?
22. What was the last project or craft you worked on?
23. Do you have a favorite sports team? Who is it, and why?
24. Have you ever acted in a play or performed on stage?
25. Do you enjoy drawing or painting? What do you like to create?
26. What’s your favorite board game or card game to play?
27. Are you interested in science or technology? 
28. Have you ever done any experiments at home?
29. Do you have a garden or like to grow anything?
30. What’s your favorite way to help others or volunteer?
31. Do you enjoy writing stories, poems or keeping a journal?
32. Have you ever built something with tools, like woodworking?
33. What’s your favorite museum or place to learn outside of school?
34. Do you like to dance? 
35. What types of dance do you enjoy?
36. Have you ever tried yoga or meditation? What did you think?
37. Do you like taking pictures or making videos? 
38. What do you capture?
39. What’s your favorite family tradition or celebration?
40. Are you interested in learning a new language? Which one and why?
41. Do you enjoy hiking or exploring nature? Where have you been?
42. Have you ever tried cooking food from a different culture? What did you make?
43. What are some things you do to be environmentally friendly?

Questions To Ask About Their Summer Experiences

1. How did you spend your summer break?
2. Did you go on any vacations? Where did you go?
3. What was the most exciting thing you did this summer?
4. Did you attend any summer camps or special events?
5. Did you make any new friends over the summer?
6. Did you try anything new or different this summer?
7. How did you keep yourself busy on rainy days?
8. What’s your favorite memory from this summer?
9. Did you spend time with family or friends? What did you do together?
10. Did you have a summer job or volunteer anywhere?
11. Did you explore any new places in your town or city?
12. What was the best meal or treat you had this summer?
13. Did you read any good books or see any great movies?
14. Did you work on any personal projects or goals?
15. How did you relax and take care of yourself this summer?
16. What’s something you learned about yourself during the break?
17. Did you spend time in nature? What did you enjoy most about it?
18. Did you celebrate any special occasions or holidays?
19. How did you feel as the summer came to an end?
20. If you could relive one day from your summer, which day would it be?
21. What new skills or hobbies did you pick up this summer?
22. Did you spend any time near the water, like at a beach or lake? What did you do there?
23. What’s the most beautiful place you visited during your summer?
24. Did you attend any concerts, festivals, or live performances?
25. Did you have a favorite summer meal you cooked or ate with your family?
26. Were there any summer thunderstorms or weather events that you enjoyed or found interesting?
27. Did you write any postcards or letters to friends or family during your vacation?
28. Did you meet any interesting people or make lasting friendships over the summer?
29. Do you have a summer reading list? What was your favorite book from it?
30. How did you keep fit or active during the summer?
31. Did you visit any historical sites or landmarks?
32. Did you discover any new favorite places in your neighborhood or town?
33. Did you take part in any family gatherings or reunions?
34. How did you celebrate the Fourth of July or other summer holidays?
35. Were you involved in any community events or local projects?
36. Did you watch or participate in any sporting events over the summer?
37. Did you spend time stargazing or enjoying the night sky? What did you see?
38. Did you learn something surprising or unexpected during your summer adventures?
39. What was the funniest or most unexpected thing that happened to you this summer?

Questions To Ask About Their Friends And Social Life

1. How do you usually meet new friends at school?
2. What qualities do you value most in a friendship?
3. Are there any clubs or activities you join to spend time with friends?
4. How do you balance time between schoolwork and socializing with friends?
5. Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend? How did you resolve it?
6. What’s your favorite memory with your friends from the previous school year?
7. Do you and your friends share any common hobbies or interests?
8. How do you stay in touch with friends over the summer or during breaks?
9. Are there any friends you’re excited to see again or reconnect with this school year?
10. How do you support your friends when they are going through a tough time?
11. Do you have friends in different grade levels or outside your school? 
12. How did you meet them?
13. What’s something fun you and your friends are planning to do this school year?
14. Have you ever worked on a school project with friends? How did it go?
15. How do you handle peer pressure or differing opinions among friends?
16. Are there any traditions or rituals you and your friends have at school?
17. How do you and your friends help each other with schoolwork or studying?
18. What’s the best piece of advice a friend has given you?
19. Have you made friends through online classes or virtual activities? 
20. How do you connect with them?
21. How do you introduce yourself to someone you’d like to become friends with?
22. Are there any friendships you hope to strengthen or grow this school year?
23. How do you celebrate birthdays or special occasions with your friends?
24. Have you ever volunteered or worked on a community project with your friends?
25. How do you handle situations where friends have conflicting interests or plans?
26. Are there any friendships you’ve had since you were very young? How have they grown?
27. What do you like to do with your friends during weekends or free time?
28. How do you approach making friends with someone who seems shy or reserved?
29. Have you and your friends ever faced a challenging situation together? How did you handle it?
30. How do you feel about making friends with people with different backgrounds or interests?
31. How do you and your friends talk about serious or sensitive topics?
32. Have you ever inspired or been inspired by a friend to try something new or take up a hobby?
33. How do you encourage and cheer on your friends in their sports or extracurricular activities?
34. What’s something you’ve learned from your friends that has made a positive impact on your life?
35. How do you feel about group dynamics, and what’s your role in a group of friends?
36. How do your friends motivate you in your academics or personal development?
37. Are there any friendships that have surprised you, perhaps with someone you didn’t expect to become close to?
38. How do you handle situations where you have to introduce friends from different social circles to each other?
39. What fun or unique tradition have you and your friends created?
40. What’s your most memorable trip or outing with your friends?

Questions To Ask About Their Favorite Subjects

1. What is your favorite subject this year?
2. What makes it interesting to you?
3. Who has been your favorite teacher in that subject, and why?
4. Can you share a specific topic or lesson in that subject that you’ve really enjoyed?
5. How do you plan to explore your favorite subject outside of the classroom?
6. What careers or real-world applications are related to your favorite subject?
7. Have you participated in any projects or activities that relate to this subject? What were they?
8. How do you study or practice your favorite subject at home?
9. Do you have any favorite books, websites, or resources related to this subject?
10. How does your favorite subject connect to other subjects or areas of interest?
11. Have you ever taught or explained something from this subject to someone else? How did that go?
12. Do you have any friends who share your interest in this subject? 
13. How do you engage with them about it?
14. Are there any school clubs, groups, or extracurricular activities that focus on this subject?
15. How has your interest in this subject changed or evolved over time?
16. Have you ever been on a field trip or visited a place related to this subject? What did you learn?
17. What challenges have you faced in this subject, and how did you overcome them?
18. How do you plan to continue studying or engaging with this subject after this school year?
19. Do you follow any experts, professionals, or influencers in this subject?
20. Have you ever created something (like a project, artwork, or essay) that you’re particularly proud of in this subject?
21. What’s a surprising or unexpected thing you’ve learned in your favorite subject?
22. How do you handle disagreements or debates about topics within this subject?
23. Have you ever considered how this subject might be taught or approached in other cultures or countries?
24. How would you explain the importance of this subject to someone who knows little about it?
25. What kind of impact do you think this subject will have on future generations?

Questions To Ask About Their Academic Goals

1. What subjects are you looking forward to this year?
2. Do you have any specific goals for this school year?
3. What would you like to improve on academically?
4. How do you plan to stay organized and manage your time?
5. What study methods work best for you?
6. Is there a subject you find challenging? How do you plan to approach it?
7. How do you like to work on group projects?
8. What are you most proud of from last school year?
9. How do you like to get help when you’re stuck on something?
10. What extra support or resources do you think you might need this year?
11. How do you feel about taking tests? What strategies do you use?
12. What’s your favorite way to take notes and keep track of information?
13. Are you thinking about joining any school clubs or sports teams?
14. How do you handle stress or pressure during the school year?
15. What’s one thing you want your teacher to know about how you learn?
16. Are there any books or topics you’d like to explore this year?
17. What role do you usually take on in a group project?
18. How do you plan to balance schoolwork with other activities?
19. Do you have any long-term goals or dreams related to school?
20. If you could design your own class, what would it be about?
21. How do you plan to challenge yourself academically this year?
22. Are there any teachers or mentors who inspire you in your studies?
23. How do you plan to keep yourself motivated throughout the school year?
24. What subject or topic are you curious about but haven’t studied yet?
25. How do you plan to work with classmates and make the most out of group activities?
26. How do you feel about homework?
27. What strategies do you use to complete it?
28. What’s something you want to achieve outside of your regular coursework?
29. Are you thinking about college or future education? What are your plans?
30. How do you handle setbacks or challenges in your studies, and how can you improve?
31. How do you plan to communicate with your teachers if you need help or guidance?
32. What are your strategies for maintaining a good balance between school and personal life?
33. How do you intend to make the most of the resources available at school, such as the library or counseling services?
34. What are your thoughts on using technology for learning, and how do you plan to utilize it?
35. Are you considering any internships, job shadowing, or other career-related experiences?
36. How do you plan to participate in class discussions and contribute to a positive learning environment?
37. How do you think you can improve your critical thinking and problem-solving skills?
38. How do you feel about giving presentations?
39. What can you do to improve your public speaking skills?
40. Are you interested in any academic competitions or contests this year?
41. How do you plan to track your progress and reflect on your learning throughout the year?
42. What steps will you take if you find a subject particularly difficult, and how will you seek support?
43. How will you make your study time more effective and enjoyable this year?
44. How do you intend to approach subjects that you already excel in? Will you deepen your understanding or explore related topics?
45. Are there any online courses or extracurricular classes you’re interested in taking?
46. How will you stay engaged and interested in your studies throughout the year?
47. How will you celebrate or reward yourself for reaching academic milestones?
48. Are there any specific books or authors you plan to explore in your field of interest?
49. What part of your daily routine will be dedicated to homework and study, and how will you stick to it?
50. Do you have any educational apps or tools that you plan to use to enhance your learning?

Questions To Ask About Their Learning Style

1. Do you prefer working alone or in groups? Why?
2. What type of environment helps you focus best while studying or working on assignments?
3. When you’re trying to understand a new concept, do you prefer to read about it, listen to someone explain it, or try it out yourself?
4. How do you usually take notes in class? 
5. What methods help you remember information best?
6. Are there particular subjects where you feel you learn more easily? Why do you think that is?
7. What strategies have you found most effective for memorizing information?
8. How do you prefer to receive feedback on your work? Written comments, face-to-face discussion, or another way?
9. How do you usually approach big projects or assignments? What’s your process?
10. How do you know when you’ve truly understood a topic or concept? 
11. What tells you that you “get it”?
12. How do you like to organize your study time? 
13. Do you create schedules, use reminders, or have another system?
14. What’s something you wish teachers knew about how you learn best?
15. How do you like to review and prepare for tests? 
16. What techniques work best for you when reviewing?
17. How do you balance learning for understanding with learning for grades? What’s more important to you?
18. Do you prefer a structured learning environment with clear instructions, or do you thrive with more freedom to explore?
19. What’s the most meaningful feedback you’ve ever received on your work? Why was it impactful?
20. When learning something new, do you prefer to dive right in, or do you take time to research and plan first?
21. Are there specific times of day when you feel most focused and productive? How do you take advantage of those times?

Fun Questions To Ask On The First Day Of School

1. If you could have any superpower just for the school year, what would it be and why?
2. What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever tried, and would you recommend it to others?
3. If you could take a class taught by any famous person, who would it be, and what would the class be about?
4. Imagine you have a time machine. What period in history would you visit for a school project?
5. What fun rule would you implement if you could be the principal for a day?
6. What’s your favorite joke or funny story that always makes you laugh?
7. If you could create a new school subject that doesn’t exist, what would it be?
8. What three items would you take with you to a deserted island and why?
9. If you were a character in a book or movie, who would you be and why?
10. What’s the weirdest or most surprising talent you have?
11. If you could have any animal, real or imaginary, as a class pet, what would it be?
12. If you were to invent a new gadget or tool for students, what would it do?
13. What’s your favorite way to enjoy a rainy day?
14. If you could switch lives with any historical figure for a week, who would it be, and what would you do?
15. What’s the most adventurous or daring thing you’ve ever done?
16. If you could design the ultimate dream school, what would it look like?
17. What would be the title of a book or movie about your life so far?
18. If you had the chance to travel to another planet, would you go? Why or why not?
19. If you could create your own holiday, what would it celebrate, and how would people observe it?
20. What’s the most creative or unique thing you’ve ever built or made with your hands?
21. What song always puts you in a good mood, no matter what?
22. If you could be any object in the classroom for a day, what would you be and why?
23. What’s your favorite mythical creature, and what would it be like to meet it?
24. What’s a wild or funny dream you’ve had that you still remember?
25. If you were to host a talk show, who would be your first three guests?
26. What would you do if you found a magic lamp with a genie inside?
27. If you could instantly become an expert in any one thing, what would it be?
28. What would be the first law you’d pass if you were President or leader of your country for a day?
29. If you had to wear one costume every day for a year, what would it be?
30. What’s something silly or unexpected that makes you happy?
31. If you could choose any fictional world to live in for a week, where would you go?
32. What’s a hobby or activity you’ve never tried but think you might be amazing at?

Frequently Asked Questions

How can questions be made engaging and fun?

What if I have students from diverse cultural backgrounds? How do I tailor my questions?

If you have students from diverse cultural backgrounds, tailoring your questions requires a thoughtful and inclusive approach. Start by researching the different cultural norms and values to understand what might be relevant and respectful. 

Make sure to frame questions that are applicable and engaging for all students, avoiding anything that might inadvertently fall into cultural stereotypes. Encourage students to share their unique cultural experiences if they feel comfortable, but always be mindful of inclusivity and sensitivity to make everyone feel welcome and understood.

Conclusion

Asking students the right questions on their first day of school can turn a bundle of nerves into a room full of excitement. Remember, it’s not just about the subjects and grades; it’s about getting to know them, making them feel at home, and having a little fun. Here’s to a fantastic start to the school year!