h students, inside and outside the classroom, affect students involvement in there own learning. Positive teacher-student relations have been linked to students’ satisfaction with college, their educational aspirations, and their academic achievement. And when students perceive their teachers as partners in the educational process, they are more likely to take on new and difficult tasks. To improve their relationships with students and enhance students’ learning, teachers can provide structure at the onset of a course, encourage class participation, get to know students by name, mobilize student tutors and study groups, use appropriate humor and persona stories be “professionally intimate,” be accessible outside class, develop advising skills and be open to the role of mentor. In general students feel less stress and cope more effectively with stress if they feel they belong to the academic community. Faculty can play a key role in introducing and welcoming students to that community. (Ericksen, 1984). While teachers are not therapists, they can be helpful to stressed students. By demonstrating friendly attributes, teachers can become aware when students are stressed and help them cope more effectively. ...
