Our aim here is to look at whether you should buy (and use) books, e-books, CDs/DVDs and revision cards. Or would you be better to save this money and instead spend it on more driving lessons?
Most people will want to save money where possible. This can lead to learners deciding not to spend money on learning resources, as they seem like an unnecessary expense. However this could prove to be an expensive mistake, costing the learner a lot more money rather than saving any.
Let’s look at another area of learning as an example of the importance of reference books. Imagine you are studying for you’re A levels (possibly you are). You attend the classes and pay attention to the teacher; however between lessons you have no text books available to you. This is going too severely restrict your ability to complete homework or study between lessons. Relying solely on the class lessons is not going to enable you to keep up with the rest of the class if they are working between lessons. The result is likely to be poorer grades, than those who are able to study correctly. You only need to see the amount of books students carry with them when attending schools or colleges to realise the importance placed on reference books by teachers.
So what books etc should you buy and why?
First I would suggest that every driver should have an up to date Highway Code, as this contains important information that the learner should be familiar with, ideally it should be read even before driving lessons are started. This will also be very useful when it comes to studying for the theory and hazard perception tests.
Next would be one of the many Learning to Drive Books or CDs/DVDs. Again I would suggest buying this before starting lessons, as it will enable the learner to study the topic of their next lesson.
This will mean that the learner is more prepared for their lessons, which will enable them to reach their goal of passing the Driving Test quicker and needing fewer lessons.
The result will be a saving on the overall cost of learning to drive and passing the driving test.
Finally I would strongly suggest downloading the specially prepared Driving Test Revision Cards. These will enable the learner to recall key facts they have already learned even under the pressure of the driving test.
So is it worth spending £15-£20 on learning to drive books? This will even cost you less if you use some of the excellent e-books that are now available.
The answer has got to be a resounding yes, as you are likely to save many times this on the cost of extra driving lessons and tests. Preparing well/correctly for driving lessons and the driving test really will be worth it. So don’t delay, buy those books today and start saving money.
If you would like to see my own recommendations, please visit my website and go to recommended books, within my online shop. You will also find our own e-books and Driving Test Revision Cards.
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Driving Test Nerves - Tips For Keeping Calm During Your Driving Test
Staying calm during your driving test isn't easy!
Even the most confident driver can get nervous during a driving test and stress and anxiety can easily have an adverse effect on the result.
So how can you keep calm during your driving test?
Here are some tips for reducing driving test nerves;
1) Try and work out EXACTLY what you're worrying about. Are you worried about what others might say if you fail? Do you lack confidence in your driving ability? Do you simply not like to fail at anything? Once you know why you're worrying, anxiety is easier to deal with.
2) If you're worrying about what other people might say or think, then don't tell them when your test is! That way, if you pass you've got a nice surprise for them and if you fail, they need never know...
3) If you've been taught to drive by a professional driving instructor and they have told you that you are ready to take your driving test, then you have no need to doubt your own driving ability. Driving instructors know the standard required to pass the practical test and if your instructor thinks you can drive to that standard you can trust their judgement! If you have doubts, talk things through with your instructor.
4) Take your driving test when there's no additional stress in your life. Exams, coursework deadlines, problems at work, relationship difficulties etc are stressful enough by themselves. A driving test looming on the horizon will just make things worse.
5) It sounds obvious, but before you go to your test appointment, make sure you have all the documents the examiner will need to see and you've had something to eat, you've been to the toilet and that you're wearing comfortable clothes and sensible shoes!
6) Don't underestimate the power of positive thinking. If you go into your test in a negative frame of mind, it's likely to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
7) During the test itself, try and keep focused only on what the examiner is asking you to do. Forget everything else, just concentrate.
8) If you think you've made a mistake, don't dwell on it - it may not be as serious as you think, so put it behind you and focus only on what else you're asked to do!
9) If you fail your driving test it's certainly disappointing, but it's not the end of the world! Try again, believe in yourself and you'll achieve your goal!
10) For in depth help and advice on how to cope with driving test nerves including self-help, drugs and medication, hypnosis, relaxation and other techniques and ways to deal with driving test nerves, see How To Overcome Driving Test Nerves
Even the most confident driver can get nervous during a driving test and stress and anxiety can easily have an adverse effect on the result.
So how can you keep calm during your driving test?
Here are some tips for reducing driving test nerves;
1) Try and work out EXACTLY what you're worrying about. Are you worried about what others might say if you fail? Do you lack confidence in your driving ability? Do you simply not like to fail at anything? Once you know why you're worrying, anxiety is easier to deal with.
2) If you're worrying about what other people might say or think, then don't tell them when your test is! That way, if you pass you've got a nice surprise for them and if you fail, they need never know...
3) If you've been taught to drive by a professional driving instructor and they have told you that you are ready to take your driving test, then you have no need to doubt your own driving ability. Driving instructors know the standard required to pass the practical test and if your instructor thinks you can drive to that standard you can trust their judgement! If you have doubts, talk things through with your instructor.
4) Take your driving test when there's no additional stress in your life. Exams, coursework deadlines, problems at work, relationship difficulties etc are stressful enough by themselves. A driving test looming on the horizon will just make things worse.
5) It sounds obvious, but before you go to your test appointment, make sure you have all the documents the examiner will need to see and you've had something to eat, you've been to the toilet and that you're wearing comfortable clothes and sensible shoes!
6) Don't underestimate the power of positive thinking. If you go into your test in a negative frame of mind, it's likely to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
7) During the test itself, try and keep focused only on what the examiner is asking you to do. Forget everything else, just concentrate.
8) If you think you've made a mistake, don't dwell on it - it may not be as serious as you think, so put it behind you and focus only on what else you're asked to do!
9) If you fail your driving test it's certainly disappointing, but it's not the end of the world! Try again, believe in yourself and you'll achieve your goal!
10) For in depth help and advice on how to cope with driving test nerves including self-help, drugs and medication, hypnosis, relaxation and other techniques and ways to deal with driving test nerves, see How To Overcome Driving Test Nerves
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