To increase student retention in the first week, focus on making a strong first impression, building a sense of community, and clearly communicating expectations and support. Instructors should send welcome emails, create a welcoming classroom environment, facilitate student introductions, and explain the course's purpose and how it connects to their goals. 

I've done service learning in my past by taking students on field trips to my jobsite. It helps the students to get more engaged and involved, a more hands on approch to both learning and teaching.

Assessment's are a great way of finding out your student's strengths and weaknesses. 

I was reminded how effective questioning students can be a healthy strategy in getting them to think more critically. 

Questioning is great for teaching due to some answer given by students can have the possibility of being vague and non detailed. This allows me as an instructor to pick the brains of my students. 

Every student is different, not every student is the same therefor different teaching styles must be accommodated to reach different students.

Motivating the classroom is a very effective way to get student's excited about learning. School itself can be very time consuming and boring. Getting student's motivated by simply engaging with them about your personal success within your industry can excite them. It's exciting starting a new chapter of your life. Many of our student's will start a new chapter of their lives upon graduation by entering their field of study. Throughout the process of teaching and instructing it's our duty as professionals to motivate our students. 

Keeping my students focused by engaging with them is my go to method of grabbing their attention. Asking them questions, asking them to read or even write on the board is a great way of involving students in daily assignments and tasks. 

Student retention can be improved by creating a supportive campus environment, providing academic and non-academic support, and intervening early when students are struggling. 

Understanding student's characteristics can be vital when it comes to building a connection and developing a relationship with your class.