Trying to remain positive... But #### !

Ok lol yes a new license
As for my attitude watch out cause its not always sugar plumbs and fairies.

 

Sorry that was Plums lol

 

You folks are giving great advice!!I can't add to any of this,really.
I have met lots of driver that only drove autos hauling fuel..
They couldn't find a gear,if their life depended on it.
If that's really the only thing your struggling with,it will come to you.
Keep your speed,and rpm low,and give it a faster bump on the throttle
for your down shifts.
If you jump around in different trucks,it takes getting used to all of them.
Don't ever let any of this get in your head.Your doing something most folk
will never get the balls up to even try.Your already driving,you just don't know it yet

 

I had an interesting day at training. The school's notoriously "tough" instructor had a group of 3 today (including myself... gulp!) And while he may be tough, he's also very fair and incredibly knowledgeable in truck driving. He wants things done a particular way for a very good reason. You might not know what that reason is right at the moment, but things started to become more and more clear as the day progressed. My personal hangup? I need to forget the last 4" of clutch exist when the truck is moving. Had a couple of rowdy shifts (doesn't help when the 5th wheel has about 3/4" slack in it...) but other than that, it was a good day.

I hope the OP is working on his shifts and it's all starting to "click" for him. Just remember: If other people are doing it just fine, you can too! You just have to find a technique that works for you.

 

I wish you the best, I'm in somewhat the same boat.

I "Graduated" from school last week but got nervous and on the pretrip and messed up the air loss check. Today I took my second test and was very nervous that I'd have to do the 90 degree alley dock, because I had struggled badly with that. Here in Missouri there's a 1 in 3 chance that you'll have to do it on the test and of course I did. The good news is that I nailed it. I passed the pretrip and backing. The bad news is on the road test I hit a curb and failed. It was all due to nervousness. I had driven the truck from the school to the testing site through downtown Kansas City in 8am stop and go traffic and did fine.

Now I'm waiting to hear back to see if the school will let me retest. Aargh. My stress level is off the chart right now.

 

I think you're more or less mind f@cked right now,that's all. Like was suggested,maybe take a little break before going back. A couple of days can and will do wonders to get your mind off of this. Then go back fresh,and give 'em he11 soldier!! You can do this,just relax a little and let it come naturally to you. Listen to the engine,it'll almost tell you when to shift....

 

As much as you paid for the schooling they better let you retest.If not raise cain till they do.So you go thru the entire school then test out?I tested after half the course was over and the remaining half went on deliveries with my instructor

 

Guitar man is right one time.I took a week off of school for.work.and when I.came back I did better then I ever had.

 

All right ######!! Who knows how that "breathing" exercise goes (no..not THAT one) the one that helps people relax.Some in the past have swore to me it works..

If your panicking over this stuff..What about your first blind side back in Chicago..1st blizzard..1st level one...1st fender bender..etc.etc.etc...C'mon...Just relax will ya!!?? I would tell you what"'works for me" but really I would not recommend it to anyone I like..Or don't like for that matter..