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

I would talk to the student about an accomplishment they are most proud of in school and a task they found to be most challenging. That will help me without asking outright what their strengths and weaknesses are in school.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

We will work on multiple strategies at approaching a subject. Trying on different hats allows us to become independent thinkers. One hat is going to fit best, and a student will recognize that, and I will help encourage that student to utilize their natural disposition towards specific learning styles.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated by determining different goals- both personal and academic- and what it would mean to achieve those goals. Long term and short term goals provide motivation to keep going.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Getting to know a student on a personal level is an absolute must for me. When you discover a student's interests, passions, and hobbies, you can work those into relate and motivate a student to get through the tasks they find to be the most difficult to handle.