Did you know how to drive stick before taking the class? I can’t imagine an MSF class being my first encounter with shifting!
Like other folks here, I spent a LOT of time in the parking lot practicing basic skills before going on the street. I also took my MSF class after months of practice (long waiting list to take it). I already knew all the stuff in the class but I was still amazed at the fast pace. They blew through stuff in a few hours that I had spent months on. I couldn’t believe any of my classmates were keeping up: many of them had NO previous riding experience! So if you aren’t one of those people who just gets it in one day, don’t despair.
Do you have any friends who ride? 1on1 parking lot lessons at your own pace can be great! (Be careful what kind of bike you learn on though…)
Muscle memory, trusting the gyroscopic effect of the bike, progressive braking during an emergency stop…these things take time and practice to get right.
Good luck!