You are about to start EMT school and you’re excited, maybe a bit nervous, and unsure of what to expect. You also know there is a lot to learn, and you’d like to get started early to get a jump on your upcoming course.
If you’re reading this, you’re already showing that you’re proactive about learning and being prepared. That’s a great start.
5 Tips for Starting EMT School
1. Put in the time. There are no shortcuts.
When you do your coursework, the goal isn’t to simply get through it. You are responsible for learning from it. If you skim the chapters, try to wing it on tests, or repeatedly retake tests until you get the grade you need without really understanding the material, you are hurting yourself. Your coursework is the critical foundation for passing the class, getting your National Registry certification, and providing good care to your patients. You will need to prioritize studying and homework over other things going on in your life.
2. Actively participate in class.
If you spend class time on your phone, sleeping, daydreaming, or otherwise not engaged, then expect to struggle with learning the material. Make a habit of paying attention, taking notes and reviewing them later, and asking questions. You have paid for this class and you are dedicating a lot of your time to it. Get the most out of it. Joining or creating a study group is another great way to stay engaged with the course and keep yourself accountable for learning.
3. Learn how to study.
We work with EMS instructors every day and they frequently say that students entering EMT classes lack the study and test-taking skills needed for a post-secondary course. Many people struggle to identify important information, retain learned material, and apply learned material to various scenarios presented on class exams. EMT class will be much harder without these critical academic skills.
This is why we created EMT Class Ready, a self-paced program to take before or at the beginning of your EMT course. It helps you build your study and test-taking habits, and introduces you to the clinical topics that are the building blocks of EMS.
4. Use flashcards.
One of the best study tips is also the simplest: Use flashcards. Get a fat stack of notecards and start using them on Day 1 of class. Write down words and concepts every time you read your textbook and every time you sit in class. Review them multiple times a week. It’s cheap, easy and effective. Just do it.
5. Learn medical terminology and anatomy early on.
Most new EMT students don’t have any background in medicine, but a foundation of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology is important. When we polled EMT students and instructors, these are the topics they said they wish they (or their students) had known before going into class.
EMT Class Ready gives you a video series on these essentials – plus some pathophysiology for an extra solid foundation. Learning these topics now will make everything you learn in class make more sense.
About EMT Class Ready
To begin your EMT course ahead of the curve, understand what to expect from your course, and build skills that will help you from the first day to the last day of class, get started with EMT Class Ready.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Learn the building blocks of EMS: Medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, and some pathophysiology.
- Develop study habits that will save you time and improve your ability to retain information.
- Build your test-taking skills and get real practice with sample quizzes and tests.
- Learn to use your textbook and other resources efficiently.
- Set your expectations for class and ease anxiety.
The program videos from EMS author and educator Dan Limmer. No lectures here—Dan’s teaching style is known for being interactive and easy to understand. There are also three quizzes and one final exam that are similar to what your class exams will be like.
EMS is an awesome adventure. Wherever your journey takes you, we hope you love the ride.
