Tips For Being a Successful EMT Student

August 6, 2023 By: Toni Milan, B.Sc(IT), Paramedic Program Director

Tips For Being a Successful EMT Student 

EMT school can be a lot of work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. If you’re ready to become an EMT, here are some tips on how to be a successful student while you’re still in school:

  1. Set realistic expectations.
    • EMT school is a lot of work. There will be a lot of information to learn, and you’ll be expected to perform a variety of skills. Don’t set yourself up for failure by expecting to get everything right away. It will take a lot of practice and dedication. You should expect to dedicate a significant of study time outside of the normal classroom hours to study and practice.
  2. Manage your time wisely.
    • EMT school will require a lot of your time. You’ll need to balance your studies with your other commitments, such as work, family, and extracurricular activities. It’s important to create a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Sticking to a schedule will help avoid feeling overwhelmed. I still suggest a paper schedule that you can look at daily. Digital calendars tend to get overlooked, while a paper schedule can be physically placed with your textbooks and reviewed daily.
  3. Get organized.
    • EMT school can be chaotic, so it’s important to stay organized. This means keeping track of your assignments, notes, and skills sheets. It’s also helpful to have a system for studying, such as flashcards or practice exams. You should always have your syllabus handy so you know what is being covered in your upcoming class and what assignments are due. Your paper schedule will also come in handy when keeping organized with your assignments. Be sure to write your due dates and exam dates on your calendar.
  4. Find a study buddy or join a study group.
    • Studying with others can be a great way to stay motivated and learn from each other. Find someone in your class who is also serious about their studies, you can help each other out and learn from each other. We have found that learning from your peers is very valuable and we highly encourage our students to study together.
  5. Ask for help when you need it.
    • Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your instructors, classmates, or friends if you’re struggling with a concept or skill. If you wait to ask for help, it could be detrimental to your learning and be too late. If you have a question, ask. Use the resources that are available to you such as your textbook’s online resources, YouTube, or other reliable educational resources.
  6. Practice perfectly.
    • The best way to learn how to perform EMT skills is to practice them regularly and practice them perfectly. This will help you become proficient and confident in your abilities. You will have time to learn these skills in the classroom, but to become proficient you will need to dedicate practice time outside the classroom as well. Practice with your classmates to refine your skills and become competent without needing to look at your skills sheets. Keep in mind that you should be practicing your skills perfectly in order to create muscle memory. Practicing skills lazily, skipping steps, or being non-verbal will result in you performing the skills in the same manner.
  7. Stay focused.
    • EMT school can be challenging, but it’s important to stay positive and focused on your goal. Remember why you want to become an EMT and use that as motivation to keep going. Don’t let other things in life get in the way. EMT Training can be completed in a short amount of time and you will need to make some sacrifices to complete your training successfully. You may need to forgo that big holiday weekend getaway to study for the Monday morning exam. A small sacrifice to become an EMT.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming that EMT you are dreaming about. Just remember to stay organized, manage your time wisely, and ask for help when you need it. With hard work and dedication, you’ll be able to achieve your goals.

I hope these tips have helped you. If you are ready to begin your journey to becoming an EMT, you can find our EMT Training Schedule here:

EMT Training Courses

If you have any questions about how to become an EMT, feel free to call or email me.

Toni Milan, BS, Paramedic-Program Director

 

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