Entering Stevens Academy in a week, looking for tips for success.

Hi everyone.
I'm from Texarkana, TX, and I'm leaving Schwan's after a year, seeking better money. I am scheduled to start at Stevens Transport's driving academy on July 2nd. I joined this forum to find tips to help me hit the ground running with Stevens. I really cannot afford setbacks. I'm broke, have a wife, an 11mo old, a 2week old, and lots of bills. I am the sole income.
So I'd like to get started with as little monetary downtime as possible.
I'm seeking only positive feedback, here. Angry, jaded trolls who were "screwed" by Stevens need not post, please. This is a negative-free thread.
Thanks!

 

I am also going to Stevens after school but wanted to tell you in your situation. You say you are broke. You will not be getting paid while learning to get your cdl. After you get your cdl you will be on a truck with trainer for 8 weeks and the pay for that is 350 per week before taxes. Your gonna need money for food during training, which you can get an advance I think but will be deducted from later paychecks. Not trying to discourage you but if your wife is at home with the kids you won't make enough starting out to support them.

I don't know if this will help you but I am going to a school that also has weekend schedules so you can stay at work during the week, this way I'm still getting a paycheck while I get my hours in. If you call one of the recruiters they should be able to give you a list of approved schools in your area you could look into. This way you can at least get your cdl and still collect a paycheck then go out with their trainers for 8 weeks. Just a thought!

 

Thanks for replying, Rif Raf.
Yes I am aware of the non paid training. I am broke as in not much money. Schwan's is famous for poor pay. My wife and kids will be staying with my folks and have food stamps. Plus I will have at least one more paycheck coming in from Schwan's just before I head off.
I just don't have the income to get held up for longer than the training period...