Hi Dianna: As I write this reply, I am sitting in the judo dojo at USA Judo, watching my kids train in the same gym where members of the US Olympic team train, with people who aspire to be on Team USA someday. As I watch them, thoughts come to my mind about motivation. We have the same issues with out night crews and there are basically two approaches here. One, they made a decision to attend college because they want something different - they want change. Change, though, often requires sacrifice. As an instructor, you have to encourage them that the sacrifices they make today will pay off the dividends later. Two, school is often a proving ground - students that can hang will work through it - others will give up. If it was easy, everyone would do it. As their instructor, you have to work and grade with impartiality. When you do that, they will make their own choices about motivation. I would recommend you get a copy of Vince Lombardi's "What It Takes to Be Number One" speech and hang it prominently in your classroom, someplace where they can see it regularly. The students that truly desire something better will not require you to motivate them. What you need to do is remind them from time to time why they are there. The rest should handle itself. And by the way, variety works best when your crew is in the drone-zone. At least try it. If it doesn't work, you can always revert back. -R