• Make your expectations clear. Ensure all students are given job descriptions, orientations and/or training sessions, and feedback so they are aware of what is expected of them.
• Lead by example. If the task at hand is worth being excited or passionate about, then demonstrate that enthusiasm, as it should inspire those around you.    
• Make the experience meaningful. Students need to feel that their participation is essential and important to the agency.  
• Remember to give attention to relationships. It is important that positive relationships be established and maintained. While it is not necessary to be every member’s best friend, it is essential that you try to develop relationships that are cordial, respectful and honest.  
• Show your appreciation. No one is always motivated – show gratitude for all of their efforts by saying “Thank You," presenting awards or other forms of recognition.

The most important thing to remember is that there are no tricks to motivation. The strategies discussed above require time, energy, and awareness.  

As you are working with students, it is important to give the student feedback about the work they are doing. This helps the student see how important they are to your agency and those being served, as well as offering suggestions for improvement.   Throughout a student’s academic career, they are gaining a lot of important skills to help them in the future; their service learning experience offers them an opportunity to gain hands on experience in their prospective career field. Since this experience is so valuable some students may wish to include their service learning placement on a future professional resume. We have created a simple Student Assessment Tool  that can be helpful in these types of situations.  If you complete an evaluation of a student, it is a good idea to keep a record of this evaluation for any potential reference calls regarding the student.

Occasionally you may be faced with a difficult student.   Someone who is not following the high standards of your agency, putting others at risk, and seeming uninterested in the task at hand to name a few situations. How should you deal with a difficult student? Try to address problems as soon as they arise; conversations regarding performance issues should be carried out in a one-to-one setting. When talking with the student describe what you have observed, use the job description to identify expected behaviors and indicate a shared commitment to finding a solution to the problem(s).  

Unfortunately, not everyone interested in working with your agency will be the best match. You have a responsibility to protect your clients and uphold the reputation and standards of your agency, which in some situations means letting the student know that the situation is not working and they will need to find a new placement. When a situation such as this presents itself, know that our office can assist you in this process as well as working with the student to find an agency that will be a better fit.