Paramedic School 101: Surviving the fast paced world of Paramedic School Scott A. Matin, MBA, NREMT-P Vice President MONOC Mobile Health Services Before you begin, ask yourself: Is this right for me? Do I really want this? Do I have the time to succeed? What am I in for? Choosing the right program Which is the right program for you? – Certificate vs. credit – Traditional vs. hybrid – Nationally accredited CoAEMSP Develop a Knowledge Base Read & review – EMT book – EMS journals – Paramedic text Refine your hands on BLS skills Use doctors, nurses, paramedics as mentors Follow up on your patients Keys to success for the first time college student Be prepared to feel overwhelmed Develop discipline Take responsibilities for yourself and your actions Control your time Night school is the ultimate challenge Things aren’t always black or white “Medicine is a Practice” Deal with your stress Juggling School Work Family Everything else Tips From The “Experts” Note Taking Tips Information written on white boards Repeating of points Sit towards the front of the room Don’t rely on other people’s notes Audio tape lectures Write legibly Compare notes with a classmate Study Tips Everyone has their own style Budget your study time Review material right after class Find a comfortable quiet place Learn general concepts first Space out your studying Study Tips (continued) Don’t just read, understand Rewrite your notes Choose your study groups Utilize workbooks & study material Test yourself before the actual test Utilize down time to study – Flash cards, cell phones, MP3 players Reducing Test Taking Anxiety #1 – Be well prepared Come to class early Get a good night’s sleep Don’t cram the night before or before the test Maintain a positive attitude Exercise Test Taking Tips Stay relaxed through the entire test Don’t stay on a question that you are stuck on Read the directions carefully Read each question carefully & completely Pace yourself Test Taking Tips (continued) Ask for clarification if necessary Don’t worry if others finish before you When finished, review your answers Be wary of changing your initial answer When things aren’t going as planned How to rebound when things aren’t going as planned 1. Take a deep breath 2. Try to determine what the problem is and fix it 3. If unsure, seek help • • Your instructor Other resources & experts 4. Don’t give up Take a deep breath Try to determine what the problem is and fix it If unsure, seek help Don’t give up Now Tips From The “Real” Experts The dos and don’ts according to former students who made it… Do: Be prepared – Read before – Read after Be organized Find and use a mentor Ask questions Study 3 hours for every hour of class Utilize study groups – Find people with similar schedules Get involved in skill Labs Don’t: Be late for class Fall behind Just rely on your past experience Medicine Requires Lifelong Learning The Culture of EMS: People want you to succeed Questions??? Thank You! Scott A. Matin Vice President of Clinical & Business Services MONOC Mobile Health Services 4806 Megill Road Wall, NJ 07753 732-919-3045 x1168 scott.matin@monoc.org www.monoc.org