When you walk into your first day of a course you can go over your syllabus and other materials that you need to present to the students, but is this what will motivate the students?  I have found on the first day of going over these materials the next item I like to do is inform the students that I too was once in their position; of returning back to school and having to learn another career.  This helps to allow the students to relate to me as a instructor and for them to know that I once sat where they are now, and I know I need to keep them motivated to finish their studies to move on to their new career. Some students move at a slower pace, and these are the students that I like to come in early to class and work with them one on one.  If a student knows that the instructor cares on how they do they can conquer any challenge.