over the last few months, I've thought about learning, particularly my own, much more than usual. the most important thing I've learned about my individual learning is that I need an instructor who is passionate and shows this. In my classes that are led by teachers who speak monotonously, give little extra information, and don't show much enthusiasm, my grades are consistently worse. of course this is ultimately my own fault for not trying harder, however I have found that I'm more inclined to do my work, and inspired to do my best on it when the teacher of that class is passionate about his or her work.
When my instructor almost jumps out of their skin in excitement over something almost completely mundane, i can't help but notice myself and my fellow students get straighten up in our seats. oftentimes teachers will even sound bored when teaching, which is honestly just a horrible way to present anything. During my classes in which teachers tend to present like this (unenthusiastically and with obvious dread), I struggle to pay attention even more than usual, and therefore perform worse than in other classes. From this I conclude that it's necessary for me to have a teacher who's both passionate about the subjects, and has no reluctance to share this and more during class.