diff --git a/mesa/model.py b/mesa/model.py
index fddf68e..6180a45 100644
--- a/mesa/model.py
+++ b/mesa/model.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ Core Objects: Model
 """
 import random
 
+from mesa.datacollection import DataCollector
+
 # mypy
 from typing import Any, Optional
 
@@ -61,3 +63,22 @@ class Model:
             seed = self._seed
         self.random.seed(seed)
         self._seed = seed
+
+    def initialize_data_collector(
+        self, model_reporters=None, agent_reporters=None, tables=None
+    ) -> None:
+        if not hasattr(self, "schedule") or self.schedule is None:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "You must initialize the scheduler (self.schedule) before initializing the data collector."
+            )
+        if self.schedule.get_agent_count() == 0:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "You must add agents to the scheduler before initializing the data collector."
+            )
+        self.datacollector = DataCollector(
+            model_reporters=model_reporters,
+            agent_reporters=agent_reporters,
+            tables=tables,
+        )
+        # Collect data for the first time during initialization.
+        self.datacollector.collect(self)

diff --git a/tests/test_datacollector.py b/tests/test_datacollector.py
index 0221b7d..0f2bd4c 100644
--- a/tests/test_datacollector.py
+++ b/tests/test_datacollector.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import unittest
 
 from mesa import Model, Agent
 from mesa.time import BaseScheduler
-from mesa.datacollection import DataCollector
 
 
 class MockAgent(Agent):
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ class MockModel(Model):
         for i in range(10):
             a = MockAgent(i, self, val=i)
             self.schedule.add(a)
-        self.datacollector = DataCollector(
+        self.initialize_data_collector(
             {
                 "total_agents": lambda m: m.schedule.get_agent_count(),
                 "model_value": "model_val",
@@ -103,10 +102,11 @@ class TestDataCollector(unittest.TestCase):
         assert "model_calc" in data_collector.model_vars
         assert "model_calc_comp" in data_collector.model_vars
         assert "model_calc_fail" in data_collector.model_vars
-        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["total_agents"]) == 7
-        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["model_value"]) == 7
-        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["model_calc"]) == 7
-        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["model_calc_comp"]) == 7
+        length = 8
+        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["total_agents"]) == length
+        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["model_value"]) == length
+        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["model_calc"]) == length
+        assert len(data_collector.model_vars["model_calc_comp"]) == length
         self.step_assertion(data_collector.model_vars["total_agents"])
         for element in data_collector.model_vars["model_value"]:
             assert element == 100
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ class TestDataCollector(unittest.TestCase):
         data_collector = self.model.datacollector
         agent_table = data_collector.get_agent_vars_dataframe()
 
-        assert len(data_collector._agent_records) == 7
+        assert len(data_collector._agent_records) == 8
         for step, records in data_collector._agent_records.items():
             if step < 5:
                 assert len(records) == 10
@@ -165,13 +165,35 @@ class TestDataCollector(unittest.TestCase):
         model_vars = data_collector.get_model_vars_dataframe()
         agent_vars = data_collector.get_agent_vars_dataframe()
         table_df = data_collector.get_table_dataframe("Final_Values")
-        assert model_vars.shape == (7, 5)
-        assert agent_vars.shape == (67, 2)
+        assert model_vars.shape == (8, 5)
+        assert agent_vars.shape == (77, 2)
         assert table_df.shape == (9, 2)
 
         with self.assertRaises(Exception):
             table_df = data_collector.get_table_dataframe("not a real table")
 
 
+class TestDataCollectorInitialization(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.model = Model()
+
+    def test_initialize_before_scheduler(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as cm:
+            self.model.initialize_data_collector()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            str(cm.exception),
+            "You must initialize the scheduler (self.schedule) before initializing the data collector.",
+        )
+
+    def test_initialize_before_agents_added_to_scheduler(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as cm:
+            self.model.schedule = BaseScheduler(self)
+            self.model.initialize_data_collector()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            str(cm.exception),
+            "You must add agents to the scheduler before initializing the data collector.",
+        )
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()

bug: batch_run assumes model datacollector is called datacollector
**Describe the bug**
batch_run assumes user will call `DataCollector` `self.datacollector`. This is not annotated in the documentation, nor is it necessarily a requirement  

**Expected behavior**
users can name their model `DataCollector` whatever they want (e.g. `self.dc`)

**To Reproduce**
create model and name `DataCollector` anything else and then execute model with batch_run and try to retrieve the data. 

**Additional context**
Bug identified via students from the University of Mary Washington. They also had some very positive comments from their Professor
"They keep saying "wow, that's so easy! That makes it so fun!" Thanks to you and your crew for all you do."

tests/test_datacollector.py::TestDataCollector::test_agent_records tests/test_datacollector.py::TestDataCollector::test_exports tests/test_datacollector.py::TestDataCollector::test_model_vars tests/test_datacollector.py::TestDataCollector::test_table_rows tests/test_datacollector.py::TestDataCollectorInitialization::test_initialize_before_agents_added_to_scheduler tests/test_datacollector.py::TestDataCollectorInitialization::test_initialize_before_scheduler