How we can help our pupils deal with pressure

 

A key skill of a BIG TOM driving instructor is to be able to appreciate the pressures that pupils sometimes suffer.  How could I know?  Asking is undoubtedly an idea, although we must be mindful how that may trigger an emotional response.  Perhaps explaining in more general terms that pressures come to pupils in different forms is a more diplomatic way of doing things.  If I were to say "Do you feel like you are under pressure learning to drive?", that manner of straight-talking might appeal to some but not others.  Some pupils may not quite know how to relate to that question - let's face it, sometimes all of us are under pressure and yet we hardly would know it.

If I pay attention to the detail, I could pick up clues.  The demeanour of my pupil.  Can I see any signs in body language, facial expression, a movement that would tend to suggest anxiety or stress?  

Some pupils may look tired, be yawning, frequently arrive late and look harried.  

And we should pay attention to the mood of our pupil.  When people are under pressure, it might affect their social skills, for example.  They may show signs of wanting to "cut to the chase".  They have little time for explanation or learning in-depth, the timescale pressures they feel mean they get into your car with a bunch of issues that they want to address - all at once.   

In your training with us, we would explore this important topic.  

This is necessary because the thoughts and feelings of our pupils will affect their driving behaviours.  Investing the time to explore any pressures that a pupil feels can be time very well spent as it can be an obstacle to learning.

The good news is that we have systems and resources in place that help you as an instructor to facilitate these kinds of discussions.  I cannot emphasise enough to you how important it is to be armed with practical tools and techniques while you go through our day to day work.  It is the difference between fighting a battle with appropriate armoury and munitions, or not.  That may sound rather dramatic, but I do mean it.  

It is this level of support that is needed to deliver better training, and with BIG TOM, that comes with your franchise.