Hey y’all! Welcome to my very first blog post.
My name is Olivia, and I’m from Thomasville, Georgia. When I first came to Embry-Riddle in the Fall of 2024, I planned on pursuing engineering because of the school’s strong hands-on program. But after starting my first semester, I quickly realized that engineering just wasn’t for me.
That’s when I discovered the Aviation Maintenance program. At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about planes (and honestly wasn’t that interested in them). What drew me in was the incredible hands-on labs. From the moment I stepped into my first AMS class, I knew I had found my place. I was surrounded by like-minded people who shared their love for aviation with me, and now I truly understand the hype. More importantly, I’ve gained a family through aviation maintenance—something I’ll always be grateful for.
Tips & Tricks for Aviation Maintenance Students
Leaning into that, I want to share some tips I’ve learned so far. While these are geared toward aviation maintenance, I think some of them apply to college life in general.
1. Don’t Buy Every Textbook
Save your money! The syllabus may list multiple books, but most professors will tell you which ones you actually need. Always ask before dropping hundreds of dollars on materials you might never use.
2. You Don’t have to buy the Snap-On General Kit
As a freshman, you don’t need to buy the full Snap-On kit right away. You can purchase the same tools at a hardware store for less, and you won’t use all of them during your first year anyway.
3. Get a Rolling Toolbox or Bag
This is a game changer. Carrying heavy tools on your shoulders every day is exhausting, especially with how physically demanding the labs are. Rolling storage makes life so much easier. Pro tip: if you’re using the school lockers, be careful with the keypad—they’re easy to mess up.
4. Use Flash Cards
Yes, Quizlet is convenient, but writing things down on index cards helps the information stick. Plus, there’s something satisfying about flipping a card over and getting the answer right. With so much memorization in the general courses, flash cards are a lifesaver.
5. Prep for Comp Exams the Smart Way
Invest in ASA Prepware—it’ll help you get through the curveball questions the FAA likes to throw in. Also, don’t take your general comp exam until after your first semester of Airframe. A surprising amount of the content overlaps.
6. Prioritize Sleep & Self-Care
The seven-point grading scale and demanding labs are no joke. As someone living with POTS (a chronic illness), I know firsthand how draining it can be. Sleep, hydration, and proper nutrition make a huge difference. And don’t forget to enjoy the journey—it goes by fast!
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips help other aviation maintenance students—or really anyone navigating college. This program is challenging but so rewarding, and I’m grateful every day that I found my place here.
Until next time! ✈️
— Olivia
