A little nudge from a teacher can turn students' dreary days in classrooms into fun-filled moments of learning. All a teacher needs to do is motivate the students. Every teacher has his/her way of encouraging the students, but what trait of their teachers really inspires them? Some students share with The Himalayan Times about their teachers' motivational traits Those teachers who are friendly and share funny stories before starting the class motivate me. Such teachers are able to grab my attention and I also get interested in what the teacher is teaching in the class. When I was in Class XI, we had a teacher who used to teach Economics. But he never motivated me to learn. He would enter the class and either start writing on the board or give lectures. Some students used to ignore his teaching, instead they would seat on the last bench and make noise. But the Economics teacher, who is teaching us in Class XII now, is different. Before starting the class, he makes us laugh with his jokes and he treats us like a friend. His way of dealing with students motivates me to remain focused on my studies.

— Daniel Shrestha, Class XII, Jubilant College, Kalimati

I get inspired by those teachers who do not limit us within the course book only. I prefer to study with those teachers who also suggest us to learn from other books, Internet and magazines. Whenever I ask any question to a teacher, if s/he is able to convince me with his/her answers, then I like to study  with such teachers. Various programmes are organised in our college during different occasions. And some teachers give speech that are full of useful information — like how we should move ahead in our student life to make our future bright. Such speeches motivate me to do well in my studies.

— Kalash Manandhar, Class XII, Jubilant College, Kalimati

Attitude of a teacher determines whether s/he can motivate or demotivate a student. In my case, I get demotivated when teachers judge us only on the basis of marks we have obtained in exams, and do not pay any attention to the effort we have put for our studies. But when a teacher makes me realise about my mistakes in front of the class, I take it in a positive manner. It motivates me to correct my mistakes and do better in future. Moreover, the teacher should always give answers to the students’ questions related to their studies. Whether the question is important or unimportant, the teacher should answer it. If a teacher gets irritated by a student’s question, and dismisses it saying its answer is easy, the students tend to get demotivated.

— Ashmita Dhakal, BBA Ist Semester, Platinum Management College, Kalikasthan

Stories of a teacher’s struggling days and how s/he dealt with the difficulties s/he faced as a student inspire me. So, I feel teachers should share such stories with their students, rather than focusing only on studies. Listening to their story of struggle, hard work and success motivates me to study hard. Teachers who aren’t rude, maintain the discipline in the classroom without being angry with the students, and deal with students according to their nature, too motivate me. Such teachers encourage me to be attentive in class.

— Kalpana BC, BBA Ist Semester, Platinum Management College, Kalikasthan

Motivation comes from a teacher’s proper behaviour. If a teacher is friendly, listens to the students and replies his/her questions, then we are influenced to pay attention to that teacher. Also, teachers often get angry with students in class — it doesn’t prompt a student to be good. It demotivates the students instead. And the teachers should always take their class on time so that the students are also motivated to study. The classrooms should not be overcrowded — I study in an overcrowded classroom, and it becomes difficult for me to listen to the teacher’s lecture, if I am at the back of the room. Such chaotic condition of classroom also doesn’t motivate the students.

— Rupendra Wanem, BSc Ist Year, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Ghantaghar

Every teacher has different way of teaching, and there are some who only make us write. They don’t prefer explaining about those topics. I do not like such teachers. Then there are some teachers who just ignore our questions. They do not allow interaction in the classroom, making us difficult to learn the topic. On the other hand some teachers are friendlier with students. They teach us giving several examples related to the topics being discussed, further prompting us to work hard on that subject. Once a teacher shared us about his involvement in a research in America — motivated by his success, I aspire to do something like that teacher.

— Aakash Khanal, BSc Ist Year, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Ghantaghar