I work at a school where stress is usually high within the students. They either have lost their job and that's why they are going through our program to better themselves, or they work fulltime at a place they aren't happy and come at night so that they can have a future career they love. When it becomes overwhelming for them, I just remind them why they are here and how much better life will be when they graduate. I have them write out goals for so many weeks out to make the time go faster for them (like a count down to graduation). I reinforce the positive's of being in school and the benifits of finishing it, what a reward it is!

Set the pattern for the course and allow students to give feedback. Ask students their expectations of the course and school in general. I always ask what their major is and why did they select that particular profession. This gives students a chance to relax and opens them up to share ideas.

As a faculty meber and director I try to meet with every student in my program and get to know them on a first name basis.They are informed by me of the expectations set forth for the program and the availability that they can seek me out with any concerns that they may have.Faculty must be willing to get to know there students and asses what learning needs and expectations that they have and give positive reinforcement.

All Faculty should be working closely to ensure that as best that we can we all are on the same page. This maybe difficult at times, but if we make an effort all students would benefit. We need to know something about each department to better serve our students and give them direction for questions that we are not familiar with.

I feel that in order to assess what students expect, we are to explain what the nature of the course is that they are enrolled in. Be willing to answer all questions to help alleviate anxiety in the beginning. Set the trend for classes in an atmosphere that will be conducive to learning.

I have a great club and officers who really go out of their way to welcome new students and make them feel comfortable.

At orientation, Program Directors meet with the students in their discipline. I personally have each student fill out an index card with all their information and what they expect from the program. They get to meet the students starting with them and begin to bond from day 1

Remind students they will have peers to depend on also and how this will occur throughout their experience.

All programs should introduce their mission from day 1.

Real important to the adult learner who wants to learn in minimum amount of time. They want imformation at orientation.

On the first day make sure your discussion is enthusiastic and passionate about their career choice.

Making each class dynamic and interesting and having them involved brings them back.

I believe first impressions are important.

I remind the students of every step that they have taken to get where they are right now and what they have overcome.The stress level of the first call to the school next the interview then the entrance test. The first day of school I go on and on with each new instructor and class how you overcame each item no the menu. This reflection allows them to look back and say yes that did happen and this is what I did to stay on track to succeed. I often have seniors or recent grads come back and tell the next group that the fight is worth it.

We recently had a student that had car trouble with very little money etc... The teacher had a roundtable discussion about this problem with other students to figure out how to handle this problem. What we found out was that there was an auto mechanic at the table and also another student that lived close and could pic this other student up and take her home. This student did not miss a day of school and had the car repaired for very little money. Resources are everywhere we just have to ask and look.

Stress levels can go up and down quickly a person says the wrong thing at the wrong time. etc... We as instructors have to be very sensitive to the students everyday and how they are in the classroom. They may have had car trouble on the way in or the children are sick. We do not know what is going on. It is our responsibility to make sure that our students get out of the class what they need from the objectives and lesson plans. We are not baby sitters but we no need to have our hand on the pulse of the students. We try to ask questions and find out what the issue is and what resources we have that can help the student overcome this stress. It often just takes some talking to get things resolved.

Recently I changed my project formula in the classroom from papers to actual real-world applications. These projects are the length of the term for 12 weeks. SO each week as we learn in the classroom we add another piece to the puzzle of the project so it is growing and maturing as the student does. This eliminates the weekend warrior that types a research paper the night before it is due. These projects are for the business/Accounting students. Business law students have to create a business from the ground up and process the proper paper work be sure they have the correct paper work for their type of company etc... this includes insurances and tax agencies. I had an attorney from the secretary of state come as a guest speaker and help to outline the need for these steps. They also had to figure out if they were going to be LLC LLP S Corp etc... What best suited their company and why. Now we have a company now we need to execute contracts and other instruments. This included bankruptcy and mergers and finally a dissolution of the company. They also had to keep a journal or record of events. this allows the student to go back and review. I have many of these same students in other classes so I have them now in financing now they have to finance this company or advertise for this company. This alone has dramatically changed the moral in the classroom. Due to the fact many of my students do want to start their own business so this is hands on experience. Nobody has left in the last two terms. My retention is up over 10%

A teacher of mine taught me that the highest calling of a teacher isn't to relate information but rather to transform the way that a student sees themselves. I think that if an educational facility can do that, the student is automatically more likely to succeed. We are of course here to educate, but what matters most is if we can make our students see themselves as people who are successful, worth caring about, and privileged to be their best self.

That's the million dollar question asked by most students when attending a post secondary school for a trade! An instructor along with the placement staff can keep a student motivated throughout the semester, or school year by bringing up the subject from time to time and asking the student to take a self assesment as to their abilities as they proceed through school