Emergency medical services (EMS) provide life-saving care in emergencies. To prepare for EMS careers, individuals must complete coursework, assignments, live training sessions, clinical hours and a National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.
Knowing how to prepare for emergency medical technician (EMT) school can help you do your best on the NREMT exam. To help you take the first step toward a new career in the EMS field, we created a list of study techniques and EMT training tips.
Tips for EMT School
Learning EMT skills and performing well on the NREMT exam requires focus and intentionality. When you know what to expect in an EMT class, you can make the most of your resources and prepare to do your best on the NREMT. Consider the following EMT study tips and tricks to stay focused and motivated:
Read the Course Training
When you train for the EMT field, your books and course materials are your most valuable and important resources. Online videos and additional resources are excellent supplements, but it’s important to place your main focus on the course textbook, materials and a workbook if one is included. Schedule study times to read and reflect on the textbook material and avoid cramming.
Show Up to Your Classes
Showing up to every class, even when it’s tempting to skip a day, is essential. Each class segment covers significant material and skipping a class can make you fall behind. If you need to miss a class, you can communicate with your course instructor to plan how you will catch up with the material. Attending every class allows you to ask for help if needed, and it ensures you receive all of the necessary information you will need to know for the exam.
Taking online classes allows you to complete each class and supplemental assignments at your convenience. With online classes, you can work at your own pace and complete coursework at any time of day. Whether you complete classes after work or in between family responsibilities, online EMT school ensures you never miss a class.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health can help you avoid any stress or anxiety you may feel when completing course material or preparing for exams. You can take care of your mental health in the following ways:
- Exercise
- Eat healthily
- Get adequate sleep
- Balance your coursework and assignments with personal time
- Meditate
- Maintain a positive attitude
Taking care of your physical health also supports your mental health. When you eat healthily, exercise and get adequate sleep, you will be more alert and energized to complete your coursework. It’s also crucial to balance your coursework with your personal time. Make sure you take time to do things you enjoy to avoid burnout.
Practicing yoga or meditation can help you manage stress and increase focus. Approach each course, assignment and exam with a positive attitude to stay motivated. Taking care of your mental health will help you do your best work while studying and completing coursework.
Accept Lifelong Learning
Begin your EMT journey with an understanding that your learning will continue beyond your coursework and exam completion. The healthcare industry and EMT field are consistently growing and transforming, so your education will continue throughout your career.
The initial courses are an excellent baseline, but best practices and recommended techniques will change over time as medical advancements occur. After you become an EMT, you will need to keep up with new trends by learning new information, practices and techniques.
What Is the Best Way to Study for an EMT Exam?
Online courses, video lectures, in-person training, textbooks and assignments are excellent resources. However, preparing for an EMT exam requires focus and an effective studying strategy. If you are looking for the best way to study for the NREMT exam, consider the following tips:
Practice Active Studying
Engaging with your textbook and course material is much more effective than simply reading it. It’s important to make connections between the material you read and your course lectures, your understanding of the material and how it relates to your future career. Practice active studying with the following tips:
- Think of real-life examples related to the textbook material.
- Organize the course material into your own study guide with a matching quiz.
- Imagine yourself teaching the material and how you would present it to a classroom.
- Create diagrams and concept maps focusing on the course material.
Learn in Several Modes
It may be tempting to skip reading a textbook chapter or section if the same material is covered in a video lecture. However, it’s best to follow an effective study cycle and gather information via several resources.
You should retain the information by previewing it, attending online courses, reviewing the material, studying it and then checking your understanding of it. This allows you to engage with the material in different ways, such as by reading, listening and practicing.
Study in Short Intervals
Studying material in short intervals is more effective than trying to retain a large amount of information at one time. Spend a little time each day studying a section of information from each class. Stretch this process over several days and weeks to absorb the information deeper than you would otherwise. Creating a list of tasks to complete each day can help you stay on track and maintain a consistent study schedule.
Eliminate Distractions
One of the most important things to do while studying is to eliminate distractions. Find which environment helps you focus effectively, and try to study in that environment as much as possible. Some people work best in quiet spaces while others find silence distracting and prefer to work where there is some background noise.
Place your phone in another room to resist any temptation to scroll through social media or check your text messages. Eliminating distractions will help you dive deep into your course materials.
Prepare for the EMT Field With PERCOMOnline Courses
To become an EMT, you must first take the NREMT exam. PERCOMOnline Courses can help you prepare for the NREMT to do your best on the exam and start your journey in the EMS field. PERCOMOnline’s EMT certification program offers flexible courses and exclusive course content so you can work at your own pace and take your exam with confidence.
High pass rates reflect how effective PERCOMOnline’s extensive content is and how well our course structures prepare students for the EMT field. We will teach you the baseline skills you need to start a successful career. Contact us to enroll or learn more about PERCOMOnline and how our EMT certification program can help you do your best on the NREMT exam.
