What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

I like to spend the first tutoring session discussing goals.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

I would try to relate the subject to the student's own life. When information learned in the classroom can be applied to "real life", the information seems much more approachable and meaningful.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I like to use checkpoints to help students stay motivated. I encourage them to create a reward system for themselves as extrinsic motivators, and my hope is that students eventually become intrinsically motivated to complete their work and engage with the material.