[02fanatic]

An easy way to learn a fix it is to always go to second gear, then straight up to 1st.

Good point. I do this do out of habit since my Austin Healey has a non synchromesh first gear and that's how I have to engage first gear.

I agree with this as well! I've just done this for many years as a manual transmission driver....it's the same with most gearboxes, unless you have a rare dogleg first gear trans! ;-)