Prepare and Plan

How many times have you signed up for class and did not know what to pack, how to dress, or even ask yourself "do I need lunch?" This article will help you answer some of those questions and provide you with the ultimate comfort and preparation you will need to take a Classroom Training Program.

We have been teaching for a little over 7 years now and we regularly see students unprepared to take a classroom training program. Students often assume each class is generally the same as the last class they took. These assumptions are generally little things that make a big difference in learning in the class or being preoccupied by little nuances. This article will help all students get that little extra out of the class just by being prepared for it.

What should I wear? Remember you are going to a classroom where you will be among your peers, and possibly your acquaintances, so dress for a business casual setting leaning more towards business. Make sure that you are prepared for both a warm and cold training center. Most centers have either have an "on" or "off" switch, which leaves for little control over the temperature. Classrooms sometimes get a little too cold if you are wearing short sleeves, so bring a sweater. There is nothing worse than being cold and trying to learn a new subject.

Where is the class? Most of the time the location is somewhere you have not traveled to before, so get the directions and phone number to the class. It can help after you have passed the center a few times. Your BEST source for information is to contact your Educational Training Representative for a complete descriptive area layout, to the class, close restaurants in the area, and if needed, hotel accommodations.

Do I need a pen? I can tell you countless times how some students take it for granted that they will be given  all of the proper materials they need to be in class, but some centers do not actually provide all for them. Some key things you should always take to class:

· Pen / highlighter

· Little notepad

· Business cards

· Office work to show the instructor

· Candy bar or breakfast bar

· Confirmation letter for attending class

· Phone number to where you are going incase your lost

· A cup of your favorite morning drink

Do I get CPE for this class? If the class provides for CPE credits sign the attendance list and make sure you see the CPE logo and info on the bottom of the attendance register. This is a requirement from the National Registry of CPE Sponsors so it must be there. If you do not see one you might need contact the registry to verify that the training center is current and can provide CPE Credits.

Below is an example of what you should see:

ACC Accounting Solutions, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. NASBA phone number: 615.880.4200 Web site: www.nasba.org

I hope there is food at the event? Companies don't always provide for food at the class, so ask your Educational Training Representative if the event will be catered. At the very least a training center must have Coffee, Tea, Water and an area of vending machines. One of our suggestions is that you stop at your favorite morning shop and pick up the comfort foods that you enjoy, and this will almost guarantee you a start in the right direction. After you arrive and see what is being offered you can then make a determination to repurchase your favorites for the next day if the class is for multiple days.

Lunch is generally not provided but do not miss this opportunity to meet with additional students or even the instructor at this time. No ones wants to eat alone, so make a friend of the person next to you, and if the instructor makes suggestions on where to eat this would be a great time to follow. We have worked on many of the students' issues while at lunch, and throughout the training we would continue to re-address the point of the students' issues while teaching.

Personalities - When coming to an event where you will be meeting new people remember that this can be a time for differences to come out.  Some people may be nervous to talk, and other may feel that they are the only people in the class, so this may pose a problem to your ability to learn.  Try to stay focus on being objective and providing some latitude to everyone in the class regardless of their experience.  No one wants to be placed in a position of feeling *** so please keep the class lecture topic the focus.  Although rare a student may feel that they can not learn in the environment of the class, and so we suggest that you bring this to the attention of the instructor or our office at 559-435-9000 #0 and we will help resolve the issue so that everyone can feel comfortable.

To e-mail or not? This is a pretty tough issue to tackle but if the office sends you to class you should read your e-mail sparingly. We suggest that you let the office know when you are going to be calling in to retrieve phone messages and e-mails and try to structure the office time while you are at break. Sometimes a subject seems pretty easy, so a quick check at your e-mail might not be too harmful, but too much looking may cause you to get completely lost and then it was a waste of your time and training dollars. Most instructors will provide the times for breaks at the beginning of class, so use that time to make your office contact.

Also, as a courtesy to the other students in the class, it is "NOT" ok for you to answer your cell phone in the class. Place phones on quiet or vibrate and leave the room to answer that call.

Policy for a Refund Request After Class Starts- Our policy on refunds is that no refund will be returned to the student who signs up for class and attends class.  If the student shows up and determines that the class is not the right level, then by the first break 10:30 am on the first day, you will be required to hand back all course materials with out any marks so that they can be provided to another student at a future time.  The course tuition will be not returned but it will be held as a credit to be applied to a future class for anyone that works for the student's company.  This credit will be available only for 360 days.  If a class is not available when the company wants to use it the credit will be held open until the first class is offered in that community.  ACC Accounting Solutions, Inc reserves the rights to look at each case to determine the right actions accordingly. 

Refunds are only provided if actions are taken that follow the cancellation policy on the registration form.  Credits will not be provided if a students remains in class without notifying either our office 866-FRX-FRx9 ACC Accounting Solutions, Inc., or the instructor for the reason why within the first  hour of the course.  Please call us if you have specific questions on our policy.

Hopefully we have answered your most important questions regarding how to prepare, and I wish you well on your next training experience. Please feel free to e-mail us with additional suggestions or questions at satkins@4acc.com