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Reflective Log

Lesson 1
18/01/22
Lesson 2
24/01/22
Lesson 3
01/02/22
Lesson 4
10/02/22
Lesson 5
17/02/22
Lesson 6
21/02/22
Date: 6/9/2021
Lesson Goals

To move the car and feel more confident and less anxious
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of my move off, it really improved throughout the lesson. I achieved this by pausing when lifting the clutch as soon as the car started to travel forward

I'm really proud that I didn't run anyone over!!

My steering hugely improved

I'm really proud of my gear changes from first to second gear
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work on my breaking, I'd like to use a gentler pressure to make it smoother and work on the accuracy of where I stop the car

I'd like to work on my road position, in particularly turning right.  Sometimes I steer too early which results in me driving on the right hand side of the road.

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to focus on my braking and road position.  Once this is corrected I'd like to move onto looking at 3rd gear.

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

I'd recommend having a read of the Blue Monkey guide to moving off, you can find this HERE

I'd also recommend having a look at the Blue Monkey guide to using your pedals, you can find this HERE

If you have any questions before your next lesson please give me a bell or drop me a text.

Date: 16/9/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my braking.  I'd like to use less pressure on the brake pedal to make it smoother

I'd also like to work on my road position by focusing on where I'm looking and not steering too early when turning right
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of my road position on right turns, I'm pulling out further before turning, I'd now scale them as a 7/10

My braking was great, I now trust that the car will stop so I'm more gentle

I'm really proud that I got to grips with more technical elements of driving such as rolling first
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work on the timing of my rolling first

I'd like to focus less on what others are doing and be more aware of what I'm doing

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to have a quick recap on braking and turns and then focus on my rolling first

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

I'd recommend having a read of the Blue Monkey guide to moving off, you can find this HERE

I'd also recommend having a look at the Blue Monkey guide to using your pedals, you can find this HERE

If you have any questions before your next lesson please give me a bell or drop me a text.

Date: 28/9/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to recap the work we did last lesson on my braking and road position when turning right.

I'd then like to move onto working on my rolling first.
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of my braking, it was really smooth!

Considering it was my first lesson in the dark my right turns were great

My rolling first hugely improved

My introduction to 3rd gear went really well

My first time driving in the dark and rain was fab.
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work on the timing of lifting my clutch when moving off

I'd like to work on positioning my hand at the correct angle when changing down to 2nd

I'd like to do some more work on driving in the dark

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to work on changing down to 2nd gear on the corners and continue my work on rolling 1st at junctions.

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

I'd recommend having a read of the Blue Monkey guide to moving off, you can find this HERE

I'd also recommend having a look at the Blue Monkey guide to using your pedals, you can find this HERE

If you have any questions before your next lesson please give me a bell or drop me a text.

Date: 12/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on rolling first, I'd like to improve the timing of my pedals.  I'd currently rate this skill as a 5/10 and would like to improve to a 7.5/10

I'd also like to work on moving down to 2nd gear when driving corners
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of my3rd to 2nd gear changes - I found it easy

I'm really proud that I drove out of the estate and around Cleeve with minimal freaking out

My 2nd to 3rd gear changes were great
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work on the timing of my pedals when using rolling first

I'd like to work on my speed when turning into side roads off the main road, sometimes I'm a little fast

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to work on the larger roads that we used today, I'll still like to start in the estate to build my confidence.  I'd like to use this area to work on my rolling first and my speed when turning from major roads into minor roads

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

I'd recommend watching when your mum or dad drives, ask them to tell you what their feet are doing and when.  Understanding what your feet need to be doing will hugely help when you try it in your lessons.

If you have any questions before your next lesson please give me a bell or drop me a text.

Date: 21/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to continue to work on my rolling first.

I'd also like to work on my speed when turning into a minor road from a major one

I'd like to do a little more work on 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd gear
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of the improvement in my rolling first.  I'm learning to use the brake and clutch together and I'm not worrying as much about where the gears are

My speed when turning into minor roads has hugely improved
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work more on the timing of when I use my brake when turning into minor roads

I need to do a bit more work on remembering to press the clutch when stopping

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to work on my improvement areas.  I'd also like to work on the theory of roundabouts.  You could have a look at the highway code section on roundabouts to give you a head start.  If you find it easier to focus on what you're reading by writing it feel free to text me a summary of what you've learnt.

Date: 28/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on the timing of my brake when I turn into junctions.  I'd also like to work on remembering to use press my clutch when stopping.

I'd then like to move onto the theory of roundabouts
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud that I ventured further out of the estate

I'm proud that I used 4th and 5th gear

I was much better at remembering to put the clutch down when stopping and by braking before turning was great

I'm really pleased that I didn't panic at the roundabouts, I just got on with it
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work more on roundabouts.  I'd like to panic less which I think will come with more experience

I'd like to work some more on my road position

I'd like to work on translating my knowledge into action

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to work some more on roundabouts and venture further out of Cleeve.  I'd also like to start looking at bay parking.

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

I'd recommend having a look at the highway code section on roundabouts, you can find this HERE

Date: 4/11/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on building my confidence on the busier roads

I'd also like to begin looking at parking
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of how I held my car on the bite in my lesson

My clutch control in the car park was great

I did my first bay park between 2 cars
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work more on my clutch control when parking

I'd like to continue to work on my rolling first

I'd like to work on my junctions and roundabouts, I'd like to not feel scared and really understand the process of driving them

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to work on my roundabouts next week

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning
Next week you're going to bring a list to your lesson of what is worrying you about roundabouts.  We can then work on these individually.

Date: 11/11/2021
Lesson Goals

The following are my main concerns about roundabouts

I worry about my approach speed, I worry about stalling and messing up

I worry about moving off too slowly and holding people up

I worry about forgetting to indicate, there's so much to do and I have to be aware of everyone else
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of how I dealt with my approach to roundabouts.  I'm using my speed to help me get into my gap.  2nd gear is feeling more natural and I'm thinking less about messing up.  I'd rate my approach as a 8.5/10

I'm moving off faster, I'm preparing my car on the amber light and I'm ready to go on green.  As I'm stopping less I'm worrying about it a lot less

My indicating was great, I'd rate my skill at this as a 9.5/10
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to carry on working on not stalling.  I'm recovering really well from a stall now however sometimes I still panic and rush it a little.

I'd like to do some more work on finding my bite.

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to continue working on roundabouts next week.  I'd like to incorporate the race course roundabout into our loop.

Date: 25/11/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to continue working on the same roundabout loop as last week to build my confidence.

I'd then like to progress onto the race course roundabout
What am I proud of?
 
The race course roundabout went far smoother than I thought it would.  I'm really pleased with that!

I was really pleased with how I dealt with going right at the race course roundabout

I've got a much better understanding of at what speed I need to drop down into 2nd gear
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to improve my confidence in the busier and more technically difficult areas.  I'll do this by practicing them more.

I'd like to do a bit more work on the use of my clutch

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to start working on hill starts using the handbrake and decide when I would use this as opposed to clutch control

Date: 02/12/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my hillstarts.  I'd like to look at using the handbrake vs the clutch and decide when and where I'd use both.
What am I proud of?
 
Hill starts using my clutch went really well.  I feel more confident.  

I'm slowing down more before going down a gear which is making my gear changes smoother,

The start of using my handbrake on hills went really well.
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to continue on improving my use of the clutch on hills.  I'd like to make the process smoother and think of it as a whole as opposed to individual steps.

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to do some more work on my hill starts.

Date: 06/12/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my hillstarts.  I'd like to look at using the handbrake vs the clutch and decide when and where I'd use both.
What am I proud of?
 
Hill starts using my clutch went really well.  I feel more confident.  

I'm slowing down more before going down a gear which is making my gear changes smoother,

The start of using my handbrake on hills went really well.
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to continue on improving my use of the clutch on hills.  I'd like to make the process smoother and think of it as a whole as opposed to individual steps.

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to do some more work on my hill starts.

Date: 06/12/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to continue to work on my hill starts.

PLAN CHANGE

We decided to work on roundabouts and right turns at light control cross roads.
What am I proud of?
 
I'm really proud of my sub-conscious rolling first!

My roundabouts greatly improved.  I'm slowing down before getting my 2nd gear and I'm taking quick glances to the right to look for oncoming vehicles as opposed to staring and losing my road position.
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd find the right turns at traffic controlled cross roads really scary!  I get confused about where to position my car and which gear to use.

I'd like to do some more work on roundabouts.  I still feel a bit jumpy around other traffic.

Sometimes I'm going too fast when I select 2nd gear, this causes the car to jump when I release the clutch.

Sometimes I lift the clutch too quick when changing to 3rd gear.

Our plan for next lesson

I'd like to use an extended roundabout route to focus on all my development areas.

Date: 03/01/2021
Lesson Goals

As it's been a while since I last drove I'd like to have a bit of a recap before we decide on our plan.

We then decided to look at areas around town
What am I proud of?
 
I'm found today really fun, I enjoy exploring different areas!

I'm really proud of all of my driving, I panicked a lot less!

My road position in tighter roads, when meeting other traffic really improved.  I'm now planning further ahead and using my car to communicate to other drivers
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work on my speed.  Sometimes I'm a little fast around the corners.  I also struggle with knowing when to slow down for hazards

Sometimes I struggle with remembering the priorities at roundabouts and forget that the people to the left need to give me priority

Our plan for next lesson

On our next lesson we're starting from Pates, I'd like to head from here to the area we used on today's lesson to see how I cope with it in more traffic

Date: 18/01/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on driving in town.  I'd like to specifically focus on narrow roads with parked cars on them.
What am I proud of?
 
I felt I was more assertive when driving

I dealt really well with meeting other traffic

My roundabouts went really well
What I'd like to improve on?

I'd like to work on controlling my speed before it becomes an issue and I struggle to focus on the developing situation

Our plan for next lesson

On our next lesson I'd like to work on parallel park and the pull up on the right manoeuvre

Date: 24/01/2022
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my hill starts

Our plan is to work on manoeuvres in our next lesson
What am I proud of?
 
I felt proud of my gear selection this lesson.  I'm now excellent at selecting the correct gear for the road conditions
What I'd like to improve on?

I struggle with hill starts as I often miss the bite point.  I try to feel the bite however sometimes listening for the bite will also help

When moving off on hills I also forget to set enough accelerator which means my car can struggle to get up the hill.  I'm associating the sound of the accelerator with a mistake so would like to practice this

Our plan for next lesson

On our next lesson I'd like to work on hill starts and manoeuvres

Date: 01/02/2022
Lesson Goals

I'd like to focus on my manoeuvres this lesson.  
I'd also like to work on hill starts

PLAN CHANGE

We looked at a test route to help calm your anxiety about your up coming test
What am I proud of?
 
I feel much more confident now I understand what's expected from me at test

My hill starts are much better, I've achieved this by using my accelerator more

The Prestbury double roundabout went well

My move off is far smoother as I'm using my accelerator more
What I'd like to improve on?

Everything improved this lesson

Our plan for next lesson

On our next lesson I'd like to firstly recap what we worked on.  In particular I'd like to get used to checking my middle mirror before changing my speed or direction.  I'd also like to focus on bay parking.  If possible I'd like to drive the Evesham Rd/Hyde Lane junction

Date: 10/02/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my bay parking and parallel park
What am I proud of?
​
  • My bay park was good.  My clutch control and car position was fab
  • My parallel park is improving
What I'd like to work on?
​
  • Sometimes I forget to change down a gear and try to move off in 3rd
  • I'd like to do more work on my hill starts
  • I'd like to do more work on my parallel park

Our plan for next lesson
 
Next lesson I'd like to work on how much accelerator I use when moving off.  Sometimes I use too much and we shoot off a little quickly.  I'd like to work on establishing my mirror use.  Sometimes I look at my speedo too much so I'd like to work on using the limiter

Date: 17/02/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on using a steady acceleration when moving off.  I'd also like to do some work with the limiter on and try to establish my mirror use
What am I proud of?
​
  • My mirror use improved hugely this lesson, it's now far more instinctive
  • Using the limiter went really well
  • My acceleration was much better
  • My hill starts were fab!
What I'd like to work on?
​
  • Sometimes I leave my clutch down after changing gear and try to use my accelerator at the same time
  • Often I stop too far away from the give way line which risks the chance of a collision from behind

Our plan for next lesson
 
Next lesson I'd like to work on all my development areas and my manoeuvres

Date: 21/02/2021
Lesson Goals​

I'd like to focus on bringing my clutch up before pressing the accelerator and getting fully up to the give way line before stopping the car.

I'd also like to do some work on my parallel park
What am I proud of?
​
  • Lifting my clutch before using my accelerator went a lot better this lesson
  • The Prestbury double roundabout went well this lesson
  • My parallel park is improving
What I'd like to work on?
​
Sometimes I still stop a little short when coming up to the give way line

I still need to do a little work on my parallel park

Our plan for next lesson
 
I'd like to work revisit my parallel park

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