How to get an A in lifeguard trainingI asked students who got an A grade in lifeguard training for their advice to future students and got replies from some of them:
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None of the homework is busy work, so do it! Don't worry about missing a question or getting something wrong because most of the homework is designed to get you to read and Mary always goes over it in class the next day.
Please get a good night's rest the night before because being sleepy not only slows you from really learning the material, but if the class is doing something physically strenuous, you may not be able to keep up. You could put yourself and others in danger by being inattentive.
Eat a well-balanced diet, and AT LEAST eat breakfast before going to class.
Go over questions on the test that you got wrong, and go over ones that you got right too. Sometimes you may not understand why you got something right, or you may have made a lucky guess.
Practice your skills! If no one is helping you, ask an instructor. If an instructor is unavailable, get a group of people (or partner up depending on the skill) and try it over and over with different people. Even if others stop practicing, it doesn't mean that they are finished with it. You can never have too much practice. If someone needs help and you feel that you can help them practice, then do it. When you explain the skill to someone else you are also processing the skill in your head so it helps you as review. Be proactive!
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any opportunity to do the assigned extra credit is a good idea
show up to class ready from the assigned readings the night before
stand out in class from your hard work and good quiz scores
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How to get an A in the class:
1. Don't argue over petty things. You will not win.
2. If you can, come early and stay later once in awhile to practice skills. It will help you practice skills and show your initiative in class.
3. Read the syllabus. Read the homework directions. Read information before you ask about it.
4. You could end up working with or for people in the class, so act professionally and network.
5. The skills in the class aren't impossible. Study and practice before so you know what you're doing.
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Time: You need to put in the extra time practicing rescues, moves
etc., as well as studying so you know how to perform the rescues
properly. (e.g. I studied how to do deep water and shallow water
backboarding before we did the skills in the water.)
Do all the homework. It will only help you in the tests and pop
quizzes. On tests, even if you're guessing, try to do the extra
credits. Who knows, you may get some of them right.
In the emergency situations/scenarios, go through all the steps, and
that will guide your response. (e.g. check the scene, check for
consciousness, call 911...)
Review the things that Mary emphasizes in class and says will be on a
test. (e.g. sample, how to clear your ears, etc.)
Get all the things related to a spinal injury in your brain. (e.g. jaw
thrust maneuver, what types of accidents may be indicators of a spinal
injury, etc.)
Know that it's more about brain power vs. muscle power to get an A.
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1) Do all the homework! It's simple stuff and it helps you learn the material and get the process down.
2) Don't be late or miss out on a lecture, it takes away from your certifications and also your own time to try to make up for it.
3) Read the steps carefully then practice it, do whatever else then come back to it in 30 minutes to practice again to see if you remembered each detail. Repeat steps till you get it down.
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Do the homework. It forces you to read enough to get by. The only thing I did was make sure I did all the homework on time, and that caused everything else to fall in line.
I don't know if it's good advice for everyone, since I had some past experience with the skills and I tend to pick up physical things rather quickly, so other students may have to do more than just the homework, but doing the homework on time is definitely mandatory
Oh, also maybe you should mention that the homework can look intimidating, but it is all very doable and that it's the effort, not necessarily the precision for a lot of the work that matters. If you just sit down and do the homework, it tends to fly by.
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Mary,
I just wanted to say Thank you for the excellent instruction during the semester, it was great opportunity to have researched this field with you again at De Anza College. My first certifications were in 1997, with you. I hope to study with you in a future class.
My advice to any prospective student for gaining these certifications is to be consistent and and persistent with all class work, do not give up. Stay current on the reading assignments and required homework assignments. Do some cardiovascular and strength training on your own. Maintain a good diet through the semester, and success will follow.
One last piece of advice, listen to instructions carefully and follow them precisely.
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1. Show up to class on-time and turn in all HW (even if it's one day late, some points are better than no points)
2. Practice, practice, practice. Get as much extra-practice time as possible to get your skills down. It'll help on your physical skills tests.
3. For the tests, make sure you read the questions and the multiple choice options. Most of the time you will be able to eliminate the wrong answers and narrow down to the correct one.
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Do the homework assigned, fill in every question even if it's a guess
Take advantage of the extra credit assignments
Join the Outdoors Club (this doesn't actually effect you grade but it's good advice, do it! DO IT NOW!!)
Practice the skill, over and over
Just cause the homework assignment doesn't get turned in doesn't mean you don't have to do it, chances are it's going to be on a quiz
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1) BE ON TIME
2) Class time is valuable and many would give a lot to be in your shoes, therefore Don’t miss class time and take it seriously
3) Key points are worked on throughout the class period, so make sure your there to grab them.
4) Get a goodnight rest before, Don’t trip out in class and be awake and alert.
5) Take the class only and only if you want to make a difference, don’t waste your time or any one else’s.
6) Do your Homework ahead of time, so that Mary would have the opportunity to go over them with you. This way it would get stuck in your head better.
7) PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
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Do the homework and show up on time everyday, it's that easy!
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How to pass a Red Cross written test
Details about the course are at: Lifeguard Training FAQs
Graduates of the program who are now head lifeguards, aquatic directors or facility managers come back to help teach the class, give free tutoring and recruit employees because they find De Anza trained guards to be more confident, attentive and more thoroughly trained. Read notes from some of them: Lifeguards trained at De Anza College get jobs
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