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Reflective Log

Lesson 1
21/10/21
Lesson 2
25/10/21
Lesson 3
28/10/21
Lesson 4
29/10/21
Lesson 5
04/11/21
Lesson 6
05/11/21
Date: 01/07/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd love to be able to move the car without panicking.  At the moment I feel around a 4/10 in confidence about doing this.
What am I proud of?
​
  • I'm really proud of how well I did!
  • I'm especially proud that I didn't stall or run anyone over!!!
  • I didn't panic at McDonalds roundabout!
  • I had great control over my pedals
What I'd like to improve?
​
  • I'd like to be a little more accurate when stopping
  • Sometimes I press my brake a little too hard and all the way to the floor, I'd like to be a little gentler
  • I'd like to do a little work on my road position in general driving

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to have a look at roundabouts and be more aware of who's coming

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend having a look at the Blue Monkey Guide to the correct move off process.  You can find this HERE

Before your next lesson you could refresh yourself with the highway code guidance on roundabouts.  You can find the information HERE
 

Date: 08/07/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on roundabouts.  Specifically I'd like to understand when I can enter the roundabout and who I need to give priority to.
What am I proud of?
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  • My roundabouts were great!  They're no longer overabouts!  I'd rate my roundabouts as a 8/10.  I know when I can go and when I need to drop to 2nd gear.  I also know if I stop at the roundabout I need 1st gear to move off again
  • I'm really proud of my timing of my accelerator in order to keep my 3rd gear.
What I'd like to improve?
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  • I'd like to work on my move off.  Both my control on hill starts and a rapid move off on the flat.
  • Sometimes my road position can be a little wide when taking corners.  I'd like to work on this.

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on my move offs.  I'd also like to start working on a parallel park

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend having a look at the Blue Monkey Guide to the correct move off process.  You can find this HERE
 

Date: 15/07/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my move off this lesson.  Specifically I'd like a smoother move off which I'll achieve by lifting my clutch from bite point to release slower.  I'd also like a more rapid move off.  I'll achieve this by using more acceleration.  I'd currently rate my move off as a 4/10.  I'd like to achieve a 8/10.  I'll achieve this when I can do the above independently.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my move off as it's now more smooth.  I achieved this by lifting my clutch slower from bite point to release.
  • I'm also proud of how much the speed of my move off has increased.  I achieved this by understanding the dead area of the clutch and increasing my acceleration
  • I'm really pleased that I didn't panic in increased traffic and protected our bubble! (NFI!!)
  • My move off using the handbrake was great!
What I'd like to improve?
​
  • Sometimes when I change gears I lift my clutch a little quickly, I'd like to work on this.

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on my getting my gear changes nice and smooth.  I'd also like to do a bit more work on my move off's and my position when meeting traffic.  Sometimes I'm unsure how to position my car, so I don't look like I'm parked.  We're going to put the car in different positions and then get out of the car to look at where my front end actually is compared to where I think it is.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Before your next lesson I'm going to set you a little challenge.  Using google maps or something similar have a look at different routes from Springbank.  See if you can plot a route that you'd like to follow on your next lesson that will also let you focus on your improvement areas.  Have a look at what challenges you think might come up on your route and we can make a plan about how we're going to deal with them.  You can text me through your route before next Thursday or we can look at it on the day.

I'd recommend having another look at the Blue Monkey Guide to the correct move off process, this is going to really help you next lesson.  You can find this HERE

Date: 22/07/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on positioning my car when waiting for traffic to pass to ensure I don't look like I'm parked.

I'd also like to look at making my gear changes smoother and perfecting my move off.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my road position when waiting for oncoming vehicles, I now understand where my car is
  • My 2nd to 3rd gear change is fab
  • I'm really proud of how I handled roundabouts and town driving this lesson
  • My hill starts using the handbrake are really coming along
  • My move off has hugely improved
What I'd like to improve?
​
  • Sometimes when I change from 1st to 2nd gear I'm a little fast off my clutch
  • I'd like to work on clutch control on hills to give me more control of my car
  • Sometimes I rush my clutch when moving off, I'd like to work on making it slower

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on my 1st to 2nd gear changes and holding my car at the bite point on hills by using my clutch.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Before your next lesson I'd recommend asking anyone who's driving when you're in the passenger seat what they're doing with their clutch when the car is stationary at a junction on the hill.

You could also research clutch control on hills using a search engine such as google.

Date: 26/08/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my clutch control on hills, I'd like to feel confident that I could keep the car stationary.  I'd currently scale this as a 5/10 and would like to achieve a 8/10

I'd also like to work on a smoother 1st to 2nd gear change.  I'd currently scale this as a 6/10
What am I proud of?
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  • My clutch control on hills was great!  I'd now scale this as a 8/10and I'm really proud of how I used the dead area of the clutch
  • I'm proud of my 1st to 2nd changes, I'd now scale this as a 7/10
  • My first attempt at parallel park and pull up on the right was awesome!!
  • I'm super proud of myself for not panicking!
What I'd like to improve?
​
  • I'd like to add in observations to my parallel park
  • I'd like to do my pull up o the right in more traffic
  • I'd like to work on using my mirrors more to understand when I need to go if there is traffic behind me

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on introducing mirrors to my driving.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Before your next lesson I'd recommend researching which mirror to use and when.  We can have a chat about it at the start of your next lesson.

Date: 02/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my pedal coordination.  I'd like to understand when I need to press my clutch and also work towards a smoother and more rapid move off.  I'd currently scale my move off as a 7/10 and would like to work towards a 9/10

We also added mirrors into your lesson goals
What am I proud of?
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  • My clutch work was a lot stronger, I now understand when to press my clutch
  • My move off is a lot quicker, I'm preparing to go, at traffic lights, when they turn amber
  • My roundabouts were great
  • My mirrors were great
  • I'd now scale my pedal coordination as a 8/10
What I'd like to improve?
​
  • I'd like to do some more work on my move off
  • I'd like to work on the correct mspsl order
  • I'd like to work on tight left turns

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to do some more work on my mirrors.  I'd also like to work on my move off

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Before your next lesson I'd recommend working on your mirror use.  You could practice this when being a passenger in the car.  Think about which mirrors you would check, when and why.

Date: 16/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my mirrors, I'd like them to feel more natural and routine

I'd like to make my move off smoother

GOAL ADDITION TO WORK ON ROUNDABOUTS
What am I proud of?
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  • My mirrors were great, they're now more natural
  • I found commentary driving great!
  • I'm now checking my mirrors before I signal
  • I was great at applying the correct amount of accelerator, finding the bite and moving off into smaller gaps
  • I really started to grasp when I can go at roundabouts and junctions and seeing gaps to put my car into
What I'd like to improve?
​
  • I'd like to work on not putting my hand through the wheel
  • I'd like to get second gear earlier
  • Sometimes I raise my clutch too quickly when under pressure

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on roundabouts.  We'll use the Hatherley area

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

See text sent on Friday 17th September

Date: 23/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my roundabouts, I'd like to feel confident and know when I can enter the roundabout.

I'd also like to work on not raising my clutch too quickly when I feel panicked under pressure.
What am I proud of?
​
  • You did AMAZING today!!!!  You far exceeded what I expected as a perfect lesson and should be very very proud of yourself!!!
  • I'm very proud of my roundabouts, I feel more independent, I know when to go and how I can use other cars as blockers to help me enter the roundabout.
  • My order of when to check the mirrors, indicate, slow down and change gears was spot on!
  • I was great at controlling my clutch under pressure today.
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • As we haven't previously driven tighter roads my speed was a little too fast in these roads.
  • On times I exceeded the speed limit, I'd like to work on this!!
  • On one occasion I got confused and chose the wrong gear at the race course roundabout, I'd like to work on this on future lessons.

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on harder roundabouts and narrower streets.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

You should be so proud of today, remember you've only been in the drivers seat for 12 hours worth of lessons!!

I'd recommend asking your mum to drive the double roundabout on Kingsditch Rd with you.  Drive from McDonald's, following the road ahead at both roundabouts and turn around in the carpark on the left at the second roundabout.  You can then follow the roundabouts back through, towards McDonald's. 

The lanes are laid out exactly the same in both directions.

Have a look how the lanes work, which lane do you need to be in to follow the road ahead? 

Also as you approach the roundabouts, from the McDonald's side, see how early you can see traffic coming from your right.  A little hint, can you see through the metal fence?  Also consider what traffic is coming towards you?  Will that block the traffic from the right?  If there's a steady stream of traffic from ahead how does that affect the traffic from your right?

On the second roundabout, if you're following the road ahead where will the cars be that you need to stop for?  Which oncoming lane do you need to consider?

If you've got any questions or areas you'd like help with just drop me a text or give me a bell.

Date: 30/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on harder roundabouts, we'll develop the rest of our goal for this lesson as we progress and understand what work we need to do on the Kingsditch double roundabout
What am I proud of?
​
  • I'm really proud of how I dealt with busier roundabouts, I was scanning all entrances and knew when to go
  • My awareness of what was around me and in my mirrors was great
  • The national speed limit road went really well
  • My move off is much faster
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • I'd like to work on building up my speed on national speed limit roads
  • I'm going to adjust the back of my seat next week to help me keep my hands on the wheel
  • I'd like to work on tighter turns
  • I'd like to work on sticking to the speed limit on slower roads

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to work on the Prestbury double roundabout and the harder roundabouts by the test centre

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Again you should be really proud of your lesson, your driving is hugely improving every lesson.

I'd recommend looking at the prestbury double roundabout with your mum.  Try and understand how the roundabouts work and the lane/road position from each side.

You could look at Intermediate route 3 with your mum driving to help you with this.

Date: 07/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on keeping my hands on the wheel and taking tighter turns when the road requires me to

I'd also like to work on my speed, both keeping within the speed limit on slower roads and building my speed up on national speed limit roads
What am I proud of?
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  • My speed on the national speed limit roads was great, I'm driving far faster now
  • I was much better at keeping my hands on the wheel this lesson!
  • My hill starts using my clutch were hugely improved
  • On the whole I stuck to the speed limit really well
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • I'd like to work on getting my car up to the give way line, I feel raising my seat may help with this
  • I'd like to do some more work on roundabouts including the Prestbury double
  • I'd like to do some more work on keeping my hands on the wheel

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to continue working on what we did this lesson

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

This lesson was a huge technical step forward, remember you're still really early into learning to drive and should be super proud of what you've achieved so far!

I'd recommend having a little look at the Prestbury Roundabout with your mum.  The nearest postcode is GL52 3DF which should help you find them.  Give me a shout if you need any help.

Date: 14/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to continue on working on what we did last lesson.  I'd like to feel more confident and and feel like I've made progress
What am I proud of?
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  • I feel more confident and definitely feel like I've made progress this lesson
  • I'm keeping my hands on the wheel far more
  • My speed was great, both sticking to the speed limit where needed and increasing my speed on the national speed limit roads
  • The prestbury double was hugely improved
  • By looking further ahead my awareness and planning has hugely improved
  • I'm using car language to talk to other road users
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • I'd like to work on using less accelerator in tighter spots
  • I'd like to work on a smooth gear change down to 2nd from 3rd
  • I'd like to carry on working on awareness, planning and hazard perception

Our plan for next lesson

Next week I'd like to start looking at driving tighter roads and meeting situations

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Next week is going to be another step forward focusing on spatial awareness and meeting situations in tight roads.  This means we'll be working on navigating around parked cars.  Deciding firstly if there is enough room for 2 cars and if not who needs to give priority to who.

I'd recommend, when you're a passenger in a car, looking at how the driver deals with meeting situations.  How do they decide on who has priority?  Have they got any tricks to decide if they can fit through?  Once you understand this could you instruct them through tight spots with lots of parked cars?

Any questions as always give me a bell or drop me a text.

Date: 19/10/2021
Lesson Goals

Due to traffic issues we've decided to change our plan this lesson and work on manoeuvres
What am I proud of?
​
  • I'm really proud of my parallel park.  I understand what I need to do and also how to correct it if it goes wrong
  • My first few attempts at bay parking went great
  • I kept my hands on the wheel for a whole lesson!
  • My speed was great, I began to match my speed to the road conditions and didn't brake the speed limit at any point.
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • I'd like to work on my bay parking, I need to steer a little later to get my car into the bay first time
  • I'd like to do some more work on matching my speed to the roads conditions
  • I'd like to practice my parallel park each time I need to pull up on the left.

Our plan for next lesson

Next lesson I'd like to work on the narrow streets around the test centre and practice my parallel park.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

You did amazingly well on your manoeuvres this week!

If you get a chance I'd practice your parallel park by asking your mum to drive and you give her instructions around when to turn the wheel to successfully park her car.

Date: 21/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my forward bay park, my parallel park and the narrow roads around by the test centre
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my forward bay park!  I'm steering into my space later and then waiting for my car to straighten before straightening my wheels
  • I kept my hand on the wheel for a whole lesson!!!!
  • My speed was fab!
  • I dealt with meeting traffic on narrow roads really well, I was able to do this as my awesome control of the clutch made me feel really confident when pulling into narrow spaces.
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • I'd like to work on busier roundabouts, I'd like to improve on seeing gaps to put my car into and move off quicker where safe
  • I'd like to carry on working on my manoeuvres including pulling up on the right on busier roads

Our plan for next lesson

Next lesson I'd like to work on the busier roundabouts by the test centre and carry on with our work on the narrower roads

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

Your making awesome progress at the moment.  I'd recommend looking at the roundabouts by the test centre and race course.  The more you can see them and understand how the cars are using them the easier you'll find them in practice.

Date: 25/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on harder, busier and faster roundabouts by the test centre
What am I proud of?
​
  • I'm really proud of my roundabouts, I knew when to go
  • My speed was great!  I stuck to the speed limit and got up to speed on the NSL road
  • I'm getting really good at dealing with the unexpected
  • My clutch control is fab!
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • Sometimes I forget to check my left mirror when leaving a roundabout
  • I want to work on taking every possible opportunity at roundabouts
  • I'd like to do more PUORR when it's busy

Our plan for next lesson

Next lesson I'd like to do a mock test to see where we are

Date: 28/10/2021
Mock Test Results

The following are your serious faults: 2 Serious (major) faults
 
Your speed was too slow on national speed limit roads for the road conditions which resulted in you delaying the progress of the car behind

On your parallel park you failed to primarily look in the direction your car was travelling

The following are your driver faults: 11 driver (minor) faults

On 5 occasions you failed to correctly check your mirrors

On 1 occasion you were hesitant at a junction

On 1 occasion your speed was too slow for the road conditions, there were no cars behind you which is why this is marked as a driver fault as opposed to a serious

On 2 occasions your left turn was too wide, causing you to enter the other side of the road.  One of these was also marked as a use of speed fault as you were travelling too fast for the turn.  Total of 3 driver faults 

On 1 occasion you stalled your car as you pulled off in 2nd

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

If you get time to work on your driving before tomorrows lesson I'd recommend working on establishing your mirror checks.  You could do this from the passenger seat to help embed them.

Date: 29/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my mirrors, specifically when leaving roundabouts, moving off at traffic lights and changing direction.

I'd like to work on getting up to the correct speed on NSL rds.

I'd also like to work on my parallel park
What am I proud of?
​
  • I'm really proud of my mirrors when moving out around parked vehicles and when leaving roundabouts
  • My speed on the NSL roads was great and I accelerated far quicker by keeping my car in 3rd for longer
  • My parallel park was hugely improved as I'm now primarily looking in the direction my car's going.
What I'd like to improve?​
​
  • I'd like to continue to work on my mirrors at traffic lights and when moving in after parked vehicles
  • I'd like to work on decreasing my speed in line with the speed limit on the road I'm driving

Our plan for next lesson

Next lesson we're going to do another mock

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend practicing your mirrors from the passenger seat.

I'd also recommend having a look at the show me tell me questions, you can find these HERE.  You can also use the under the bonnet guide to help you with these.  You can find this HERE

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