The most important thing when learning history is to understand that even though the events happened in a different time period with different modes of dress, experiences, that they were happening to people just like you and I. So, when the gates of the Bastille were stormed you can picture yourself as a citizen- hungry, possibly cold but excited because you were finally doing something about the misery you'd been suffering for so long. Maybe you thought there was a possibility of bringing home some bread for your starving kids? Maybe you were caught up in the excitement of the crowd around you?
When I teach, I cement the story of history into the minds and hearts of the student by making it come alive for them. This is how history comes off of the page and becomes a part of our lives.
I also love people, and I understand the frustrations of struggling in a subject that you aren't naturally excited about. To me, this can be remedied by a passionate teacher, and introducing a different angle to the student. We all learn differently, and I try to find the angle that each individual student can best learn.