11 Life Lessons from Driving School
October 30, 2023 | Supreeya S
For close to a decade, I’ve carried a driver’s license without the ability to drive, relying on public transportation and cabs to get around. It wasn’t until a family emergency startled me. I realized that I needed to be able to drive.
So, I enrolled in driving school for the third time, hoping it would do the trick. Little did I know that beyond just learning to drive, I would gain lessons that would be applicable and invaluable for my life as a bonus. Here are some simple, yet profound takeaways from my driving school experience:
1. The Right Environment Makes a Difference
Choosing the right environment for you is essential for learning and building confidence. In learning to drive, it’s not just about the car and the road; it’s about the instructor, teaching style, and the feedback.
Having an instructor who understood my panic and guided me through them made a world of difference. My instructor was aware of moments where I would feel tense. She helped me build self-awareness on what situations made me feel uncomfortable, and assisted me in practicing through the situations so I knew how to handle those situations better over time.
I learned to not overreact in challenging situations on the road and how to course-correct.
If something you’re attempting to learn isn’t clicking, try adjusting your learning environment.
2. Trust the Process
As a new driver, the experience felt overwhelming. But trusting the process, and certain turning techniques, showed me that in unfamiliar situations, it doesn’t hurt to try what the experts recommend. Follow-through and see how it works. You can always try it the way you want to later.
Trusting the process, learning the tips, and believing in your ability to learn to see in a new perspective will help in overcoming your initial fear.
3. Don’t Hold Too Tight
A surprising lesson was to not grip the steering wheel too tightly. Gripping your steering wheel too tight limits your movement in turning the wheel and doesn’t allow for feedback from the steering wheel when it rotates back.
Letting go gives you better control. Crazy! This metaphorical advice is applicable to life too: sometimes, you need to relax your grip on situations to navigate them better.
Also, gripping your steering wheel too tightly shows that you’re nervous. So if you notice yourself holding too tight, take deep breaths, stretch your fingers, and loosen your grip. You’ve got this!
4. Learning the Details Boosts Confidence
Understanding the intricacies of driving, from adjusting your seat to foot placement, made me more comfortable behind the wheel. Getting used to the little adjustments and tricks in driving helps in boosting confidence.
Likewise, there are things you can learn that make you more at ease in your journey, regardless of what mission you’re working towards. It helps you in chipping away at what seems impossible. If you keep at it, and learn all the little things that could help you in your journey, then it doesn’t feel as hard as it did previously.
5. Keep Trying!
Persistence pays off.
I went to driving school twice and left without the ability to drive. Sometimes the timing isn’t right, or you’re simply not mentally prepared. If you feel yourself wanting to acquire a skill, keep trying until it clicks for you.
It’s similar to reading a book. Sometimes a book doesn’t feel very special until you read it at the right moment, with the right experiences that you’ve accumulated. The book’s teachings become so clear and life-changing when you are truly ready for it.
6. It’s Never Too Late
Age should never be a barrier to learning something new. Life’s timeline is unique for everyone.
If you find that learning a particular skill would be a value-add to your life, you should embrace the learning opportunity. You never know when you will thank yourself for taking the plunge.
7. Prepare Your Body and Mind
Give yourself the best chance to succeed.
Take care of your body and mind. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and wear comfortable clothes. When your body and mind is fresh, you’re prepared for any and all challenges.
Because it can never really hurt. And if you have jittery nerves then having enough sleep won’t add to that.
8. Self-Talk Matters
Positive self-talk can transform your experience.
Marisa Peer, a therapist, has said that one of her clients came to her asking for help because he was unable to drive on the highway. He took the long way to work everyday because he couldn’t switch lanes. After talking to him, she discovered that he kept saying “it’s so hard” to himself while trying to switch lanes.
She thought of him the next time she was driving and said that to herself and that made it hard for her to switch lanes.
So from this story, I thought maybe I was saying something to myself without realizing it while I was driving. So I made sure to keep saying, “I’ve got this. This is fun. This is so cool. I can’t wait to start driving myself around.” It definitely made me less worried about switching lanes.
The power of positive self-talk transcends the driving seat. You can always be your own cheerleader. There’s no reason to talk yourself into anxiety.
9. Look Forward
Focus on what’s ahead of you.
In driving, it means concentrating on the road and anticipating changes that will happen to your lane.
In life, it translates to concentrating on your path, your goals, and the opportunities available to you, ahead of you.
Sideways glances are okay, but your focus should primarily be on your journey.
10. Relax and Breathe
Sometimes, challenges make us anxious. Learning to relax, breathe, and take things one step at a time can make a significant difference in tackling whatever comes our way, both on the road and in everyday situations.
11. Timing and Opportunity are Key
Life’s successes often depend on timing and opportunities. Just as in driving, recognizing the right moment to change lanes or take a turn can make all the difference in your journey.
In the end, learning to drive was more than just acquiring a skill. It was about building confidence, embracing challenges, trying a scary thing, and understanding the importance of the right mindset and environment. As I hit the road confidently, I carry these life lessons with me, knowing that they are applicable far beyond the driver’s seat. Life, like driving, becomes more enjoyable with the right mindset and open heart.