Habitually Successful

While teaching BIM software during my career with IMAGINiT I have noticed common habits among those that pick up the software quickly and are successful with it.

I am sure I am not the first, nor will I be the last to put a list like this together. This was just something on my mind. Without further ado, in no particular order....

Click every button - When you are learning a new application this lets you see all that is possible and can give you insight as to how object, views, and features relate.

Follow exercises in class and practice outside examples - Throughout the course there are times for you to practice, use this time wisely. Start written exercises promptly, make sure you have some repetition on each part of the exercise, do them again after the class. Draw your house, this will help you ask the questions you don't know to ask until you are in a real project.

Come with curiosity and questions - When you leave the first day of class, look at the buildings you pass, start to think about how that building envelope might be constructed with objects in Revit. If you don't know the answer, ask and I bet everyone will learn something.

Not afraid to click their mouse -  Training classes for the most part are a controlled environment, you aren't going to mess anything up by clicking… a lot. At the same time be mindful of on screen cues.

Excited about the technology change and how it can effect their career - Attitude is 85% of the experience of learning new things, I see student get downtrodden over the smallest inconveniences in the software. Big picture is this is happening and this is the time to learn it.

Punctuality - architects are often late, contractors are often early, <insert another generality here>. Bottom line: If you miss 5 minutes, they might be "the" 5 minutes that clarifies an important aspect of the software.

Understand standard Windows functionality (for example: the ability to find and save something to a specific folder on your C Drive) - This type of training in a class really gums up the works. Comfort using a mouse is a must as well.

Stay adequately caffeinated - This one is not universal. For me though, it helps.