New member starting c&g level 2 and 3 need advice

[Jackmcleod89]

Hi

Basically I have no electrical experience but I have worked nearly 7 days a week for the last 6 months doing 12 hour shifts (out of my house 14 hours!) To save up to do a full time electrical course starting on 15th Feb, I am just looking for any advice to get a good start as I've worked unbelievably hard for this!
Thanks

 

[hightower]

Do a bit of reading before (and during). C&G sells their textbooks online, get the appropriate one for your course and have a flick through it (you'll need it when the course starts anyway). Wiring and Lighting (available online again) is another good book by Christopher Kitcher. The 17th is ~£70 and is worth having, or failing that, the On Site Guide at about £25 - it'll help you align why things are done a certain way.

Also, get in the mind set that the time you spend at college is not the be all and end all like so many on my course believe. I've pretty much got my head in a book every spare hour I get. I'm sick of hearing people on my course moan about "how are we meant to remember all these formulas?" as if the dole office has said "we'll put you on this course, it'll be a doddle".

 

[Jackmcleod89]

Thank you, I deffinatly will have my head in a book I've worked too hard and waited too long to waste it away this is going to be my future! Would you recommend me trying to get a weekend job as a mate to gain on the job experience or stick to the 5 days at college and focus on that?

 

[Paul.M]

As above + also take lots of notes in the classroom. When studying at home make notes of the things you are unsure of and ask the lecturer when back at college.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[Jackmcleod89]

I will be taking plenty of notes I've got 2 a4 note books ready for when I start and about 20 pens!

thank you

 

[hightower]

I will be taking plenty of notes I've got 2 a4 note books ready for when I start and about 20 pens!

Colleges tend to recommend the notepads with the tear out pages so notes can be filed properly. I know ours frown on the notebook type - you'll have notes mixed up all over the place with those.

As for finding work, that is definitely going to help cement what you learn in college. Most here will tell you college is only part of the picture, and you need on site experience as well to gain the necessary skills.

 

[Jackmcleod89]

Yeah I have the easy year out pages so I can keep important parts filed or mistakes easily ripped out. Thank you for your help il take it all on board and start trying to get weekends as a mate to get a good 1st step into the industry thanks again!