At the start of each meeting, I ask the student how they're feeling, like if they're tired or excited about something going on in their life. This helps me better prepare for any distractions or a slow lesson, and I think this also lets them know that I care about their well-being and not just that they're at the lesson. Then, I ask if they studied the last lesson we worked on it. I find that starting with this positivity helps both of us focus on the good, which often makes for a more productive session.