Starting a new school and a new career, especially if you have been out of school for a long time, can be incredibly daunting. Here are some simple tips to help you feel confident in learning this new skillset!
Get Organized! Look over the syllabi and see what the schedule is for your classes. You’ll see which books you will need, which days, when major assignments are due, and anything you need to pay special attention to. Copy these deadlines into your personal calendar.
Write out the Vocab! Your textbooks will put important vocabulary at the beginning of the chapter and/or will bold the words. Whether you make flashcards, or just type/write them out, the act of reading and then writing will help you remember. Understanding what the vocabulary words mean will give you a huge leg up on understanding the concepts being taught.
Show up! This may go without saying, but show up to class. Do your very very best to attend every class, for the entire class period. Life happens, illnesses happen, but if you minimize non-emergent absences you will ensure those emergent ones don’t hit as hard. Massage School is an interactive process. There’s no way to get around doing the work in class.
Make Friends! Connect with the other students in your class. You are all going through the same journey together, and can help each other. Schedule study groups, meet up for trades, and share notes. Rely on the community you are given in school.
Ask Questions! There are no dumb questions. Sometimes questions are rooted more in anxiety than not knowing, sometimes they are based on a false premise or a misunderstanding. You should never feel afraid to ask a question, no matter how seemingly “dumb”. A good educator will know how to uncover what you are needing to understand, or if they don’t it is always okay to come back when you have a better idea. Keep the lines of communication open with your instructor.
Stay open and curious, and never stop learning!
-Lindsay ✨
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