Flight Training - March 2011 - 38

STEP 2: TIME IS THE WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE COMMODITY

You need a weekly and a daily schedule. Use electronic aids, a personal digital assistant, Microsoft Outlook, or the old paper method—they all work. But it is important to remain faithful to your schedule no matter what format you choose. Give yourself several windows for study each week that won’t compete with other responsibilities. Avoid studying when you are tired. Study and retention go much better when you are rested and alert. Last-minute cramming just before a lesson is usually a waste of time; find a better, less frantic time to prepare. Time is the most valuable resource students have. Not surprisingly, it’s also the one they most often waste.
STEP 3: SOME PEOPLE LIKE THE LIBRARY; OTHERS PREFER STARBUCKS

REMEMBER THAT INSTRUCTORS HAVE BEEN ASKED MANY QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS AND YOURS PROBABLY ISN'T UNIQUE.
best to assist students in covering any justifiable absences, crucial topics are Work out a study agenda that is agreeable never fully recouped as lessons move forand fits with your daily activities. Withward. I believe that most chronic absence out a systematic method of study, time problems are traceable to a fundamental will sift through your fingers without lack of goals and commitment. Help with your having anything to show for it. Be this must come through an intervention of willing to revise your study schedule if it some sort that addresses a student’s objecis not working for you. For instance, it is tives and priorities. possible that evening study may conflict STEP 7: WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, with domestic duties. If so, consider GOOD STUDENTS ASK FOR HELP mornings or afternoons. And once you You wouldn’t be studying if you already find the sweet spot, try to make it a conknew this stuff, so don’t hesitate to ask sistent part of each day. questions. Questions may develop from Stay focused as you work. As you study at home, discussions in lessons, read, ask yourself, “What is this chapter flight experiences, or conversations with telling me, what is important here, and others. Questions will naturally arise anyhow does it relate to other parts of the time we move from the comfort of what course?” Plan to study no more than we know to the uncertainty of what we 30 to 45 minutes before taking a break. don’t know. Less is better when it comes to concenIn fact, when students don’t ask tration and retention. If you’re rereading questions, instructors become wary a paragraph over and over but don’t and suspect that a learning gap is remember what you’ve read, it’s time to developing. When students fail to ask stop. Once refreshed, you’ll be ready to questions it’s usually because the matego at it again. rial is already understood, there is fear STEP 5: MORE PEOPLE COLLECTIVELY of embarrassment if the question seems KNOW MORE THINGS “dumb,” or there is insufficient knowlGroup study provides numerous benefits, edge of the subject to be able to ask an most important among them being the intelligent question in the first place. If element of synergy. For example, you may you find yourself feeling uncomfortable be thoroughly familiar with aircraft sysasking questions, remember that instructems while your colleagues are expert at tors have been asked many questions navigation. In addition, group study prothroughout their careers and yours probmotes a sense of togetherness, allowing ably isn’t unique. individuals to develop deeper understandSTEP 8: PREPAREDNESS MAKES ing of ideas, concepts, and techniques EXCELLENCE POSSIBLE through discussion. Group study is an If you wouldn’t consider flying an aid in developing a social togetherness, aircraft without doing your preflight, heightening understanding, and the level why wouldn’t you do the same before of achievement. a ground lesson? Advance familiarity STEP 6: ABSENCES LEAVE GAPING HOLES with lesson material helps connect new IN THE EDUCATION SEQUENCE concepts with what you already know. As an instructor I rarely see habitual Always read the assignments before they absences. To be sure, aviation training is are to be discussed—the session will go expensive and missed classes only inflate much better and lead to more complete the price tag. While instructors try their comprehension.
STEP 4: WORKING SMART IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN OVERWORKING

Choose a study area where you can remain undisturbed and have good lighting, seating, and space to spread out. Textbooks, charts, and reference materials consume acres of space, so don’t compromise. Avoid studying in noisy and hectic places. Instead, choose a location that remains as quiet and comfortable as possible. Once you get accustomed to a satisfactory study venue, it usually is a good idea to make it part of your routine. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another.

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Flight Training - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - March 2011