Chemistry is one of the toughest subjects around. Lectures, seminars, talks, lab courses, learning, tests... You have it all in there - from the very beginning.
Sometimes I have students in lab courses (3rd term) who are very disciplined, have a clean and tidy method of working, knowing and understanding the background of the experiment, asking some clever questions - which can be discussed on a high level - and so on. But some of these students are dubious whether they should go on or wondering if they can make it to the end.
So, often I end up having talks with them telling them about my experience with the studies and the problems I had and how I solved them. Also I highlight and emphasize their skills I saw in the lab - all to encourage them. Sometimes I think I could do more, though.
What are your experience with that? How do you encourage your students? Do you do it at all?
Hi Sven, sharing your experiences with your students is good. I remember my first Chemistry teacher happened to be a very good singer (tenor) who took a leading part when we staged 'Fiddler on the Roof'. Years after I left school, he got in touch with me, but now he's a lawyer (great!!). He also taught some of us to swim; but I never taught any of my students to swim :(
I put some helpful links here. Modify them to your students needs. Make your teaching FUN:
http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/faqs/motivatingstudents/activeinterest.html
http://www.vtrip.org/encouraging-students-to-study-chemistry/
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