use the first method to gear down as youre slowing down. do it smoothly and its fine. + you'll have better control of the car. girls use the second way. and if for example the light goes green before you completely stop, its possible you might put it in the wrong gear and jerk the car big time or you might not have enough power. plus its a really slow way of doing things. by doing it the first way alone it wont wear out the clutch in the car's lifetime, lol. and it also reduces wear on your brake pads, which have to be changed every now and then!!