Half Baked

I'm half way done with school and I've been very happy with my choice of J-Tech in Jacksonville, FL for anyone who might consider them.

It's incredible to think that I didn't know a d*mn thing when I started, and just how far schools bring you in such a short period of time. I now know more about a tractor and trailer then I knew there was to even know about a tractor and trailer.

I've had an excellent instructor, and keeping it simple with repetition has been what's helped me the most. When someone else is doing a pre trip, I'm paying attention and going over it in my mind too. When someone else is driving and shifting, I'm going thru it in my head. When someone else is backing, I'm watching and mentally going thru it in my head too. When someone else is driving, I'm mentally staying high in the turn and looking before-during-after in the intersection. When someone else is shifting, I'm thinking about where to go to get that next gear, etc.

I've used empty water bottles under each foot with a spatula to practice my shifting at night. It's crazy how muscle memory doesn't allow you to double clutch or not deep clutch. :)

If I only thought about each thing while I was actually doing it, it would be so much harder to process all the info that all new drivers need to learn.

I sure don't do everything as good as I need to yet, but we've been taught how to pre trip, straight back, off set, parallel, 90, drive, and shift. And I have done all of them successfully...sometimes, on some days! :)

For anyone going into school, don't wait until you're up and it's your turn to practice it. Practice it every time someone else does it too. It will make a big difference for you, I promise. And as hard as it is when trying to learn something new, don't get frustrated. It will only make it harder to learn it.