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Comment by Jackie on July 3, 2009 at 17:24

We realtime every class, and so I go directly from my realtime feed. If something doesn't make sense, then I will compare it with my paper notes to check for shadows and mistakes. I did that the other day and it helped me pass my second 200 Q&A! Reading your notes is definitely a good idea, but most of the time I go directly off of my realtime feed.

Laurie, you will do great! It is definitely tough when you're going through school, but that perfectionist attitude will help you in the long run!

Comment by matt hanneman on July 3, 2009 at 15:52

That's a good idea Angela... I am using my realtime everyday now but only for selected documents. You've given me a model to use in school...I have been going straight from my notes. matt

Comment by Jackie on July 2, 2009 at 20:45

Laurie, I don't have any experience with CRAH, but I just wanted to confirm that you absolutely DO fail a lot more tests than you pass! It is extremely difficult to deal with if you're a perfectionist (as I am, and I'm sure a lot of prospective CRs are ), but somehow you get past that eventually. I used to get really mad at myself and kind of pull the "what on earth was that, you stunk on that test, you need to hurry up and get out of school!" and sulk, but had to get over it pretty quickly. You will pass a test one day, your final one you needed for that speed, and the next day you will move up a speed and get completely creamed. Unfortunately, there is a lot of failure involved with the training, but it doesn't matter because once you are done with the schooling you'll have the best career! I don't say these things to discourage you at all, but it is hard to deal with for some people (myself included). That's another reason we're lucky to have this awesome online community to band together! I hope you'll keep coming around here! It is a great way to chat with others that understand what you're going through! Good luck!

Comment by Elsie Zecchino on July 2, 2009 at 16:59

I agree Laurie, it's very difficult to gauge your progress when studying on your own. It's also rewarding though, as you reach each goal you set for yourself. We will definitely keep in touch!

Elsie

Comment by Elsie Zecchino on July 2, 2009 at 15:53

Hello Laurie,

I'm a fairly new student with CRAH but I've found the program to be wonderful. The theory is presented in a very concise and clear manner. I've been comparing it to some of the theory discussions on this fantastic site and find that it is very similar to the other theories out there. I do believe that any at-home study program is much more difficult than a traditional brick-and-mortar simply because you have to be very disciplined and consistent in your studies. The CRAH team provides excellent support and has responded to all my questions within hours, without exception. The flip side to doing without the support available at school is that you can study at your own pace and can complete the home study program much more quickly than the traditional schools. For me, researching the additional personal investment needed to begin working as a court reporter after completing a much more expensive two-year accredited school cemented my decision to try CRAH instead. I hope my experience helps you, good luck!

Elsie

Comment by Jackie on June 30, 2009 at 9:50

Virginia, great website!

Kate, good luck with all of that balancing! It is hard to juggle everything, but you can do it!

Karen, it is really hard for me to get in the zone. I almost always have the repeating in my head, even at 200+ words a minute! I think that the repeating is okay (from what I have been told) as long as you're not hearing yourself repeat the words that you just heard the speaker say. Does that make sense? I have been told that it is normal to hear the speaker's voice in your head while you're getting everything out. But if you listen to the speaker, repeat what he/she says, and then repeat it in your own voice in your head, then that take's way too much time and it is slowing you down. Now that I write it out it doesn't really seem to make sense. But, I deal with the repeating problem all the time but don't seem to notice it as much when I'm working on super fast takes.

Started working on 240 tapes for the first time last night! Whew, they were fast, but I know I will improve quickly if I keep drilling these. Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Comment by Karen on June 29, 2009 at 21:04

How are you ladies getting into the "zone". Some days it's easy and I fly without the repeating in my head!! But others it's like not going to happen. I am currently in 150-160 and trying to keep it going every day. WHEW!

Comment by Kate Allen on June 29, 2009 at 16:36

I practice about 2-3 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. I also work full time and have another class right now. The fall will stink because I will be in school full time, work full time, practice 3 hours a day, and somehow take a public speaking class online (?????)

Our lessons are about 20wpm faster than what we are tested on. So we are always practicing faster than where we need to be. Our lessons also have a Q&A dictation at 2 speeds. Right now it is 120 & 140. I'm struggling at 120 so when I need a boost, I'll try the 140 a few times and then go back to the 120. It seems so much slower after that. It's a mind game but it works for me.

Kate

Comment by Jackie on June 29, 2009 at 12:14

That is definitely the hardest part for me - letting it go! I have been able to do it to a certain extent, but the perfectionist in me just won't let go and let my fingers fly. I am going to continue trying this way, though, because I have seen some great improvement the last month. Are you working full-time or part-time while you are in school?

Comment by Jackie on June 29, 2009 at 8:23

So how does everyone usually practice? My teacher has taught us that practicing one speed above goal speed is good. Up until this point, I typically have practiced at goal speed or just one speed above, in order to keep my notes clean. I have always been a very clean writer and want to keep it that way. I have heard more and more lately, however, about Mark K's philosophy about writing 25-30% above goal speed and just trying to get a stroke down for every word. I have tried practicing like that the past month or so and I can see some improvement, but it is so hard! Do you all usually strive for accuracy or are you just trying to get your fingers moving? How long does everyone usually practice every day?

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