Hi Gloria, Sometimes we forget that important it is to see someone that is successful in our field. Bringing in the graduates is an excellent way of demonstrating that “in the near future that can be you as well” for your students. Another motivational technique that you may find helpful is to give the students opportunities for application of their newly acquired knowledge or skill. Sometimes they cannot see application outside the classroom or that they are moving along a learning continuum. By letting them see how they can use their new skills you can greatly enhance their excitement about the course even though they may have a number of months facing them of really hard work. Gary --