Sharing classroom and academic expectations, students often have the capacity to serve as their own best support system.

Many of the adult students I have encountered have expressed that they feel most confident when they have received very specific instruction from their instructors. They do prefer to self-direct when it comes to refining their academic pursuits; yet, they appear to want to be direction to avoid any possibility of failure.

Beginning each class with a brief, positive, student-oriented prologue may make the critical difference in student behavior. The trials of the day may have students jangled, angry, upset. Begin class on a positive, supportive note and it will make a difference.