Success Tips for Success in Paramedic Class
Success Strategies that Work
The key ingredient for passing paramedic class is desire!
After you develop the desire to succeed you can excel by developing the learning habit and studying in a purposeful way. Here are some success tips for you.
- Make yourself accountable to other people and deadlines. There is a saying, “if you want to climb over a wall, throw your heart over first.” By telling other people your goals you become accountable to them and have motivation to follow through on your goals. We can achieve more by sharing our goals and telling other people our intentions. Friends will remind you of your goals and help keep you on track.
- Learn how the parts of human anatomy fit together and work. I realized that it is much easier to learn the parts of muscle when I learned how they work together to make a muscle contract. No longer was muscle a list of parts that had no meaning. I memorized the steps or muscle contraction on order and have used this technique ever since.
- Learn how the body changes during disease processes. Learning how the heart is affected by high cholesterol and the formation of clots helps a student learn the pathophysiology of cardiac disease. Learn the normal function of a body system, how the body changes and the signs and symptoms you will see to learn a disease effectively.
- Use Acronyms or Mnemonics when learning parts or steps. I have found that using Mnemonics is an effective method for me to memorize information like protocols. Years ago I memorized protocols using mnemonics I can still recall today. This type of recall is important during a medical emergency. Try using stories, songs or embellished pictures in your mind to remember facts and protocols. Some paramedics use the term VOMIT to remind them of the steps of critical care for a patient.
For example: “VOMIT” vital signs, oxygen, monitor ECG, Intubate and Transport”
- 5. Use your feel and natural talents to augment learning. Have fun learning by drawing, making clay models, posters or inventing a song to help you remember information. Students that have trouble learning concepts often learn them better by doing physical representations of processes like diffusion of oxygen and cardiac depolarization.
If you have suggestions for success in paramedic class please post them on my blog.
Adapted from 110 Strategies for Success in College and Life. Dr. Mary Zahm,
Available from Amazon.com
By Steven Kanarian, EMT-P, MpH
Lead Instructor of the CUNY LaGuardia Paramedic Program, New York City
Read Steven Kanarian’s Blog at www.paramedicmastery.com
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Steve,
A friend of mine* at MVC Paramedic Program gives “Mike’s Rules” to all students and we make sure they adhere to them when teaching skills and doing drills:
1. Every skill, every time perfect
2. When you think, think like an octopus – delegate
3. Give direct directions (a real problem with people these days)
4. Indecision is a decision (one of my favorite sayings is; “don’t just do something, stand
there!”)
5. Maintain situational/spacial awareness
6. Countdown – Every 5 minutes check to make sure everyone is on the same page.
*Mike Schulz – Paramedic