What to do?

[Tina Seward]

I am officially out of money for school.  After I pay for tuition for next semester, the savings account that I put all my financial aid refunds into will be empty.  My husband does not want me to borrow any more money.  He is thinking about refinancing the house in order to pay back the loans I have already taken out.  

This past week, I took two speed tests and scored very poorly on both of them.  

I am on academic probation, and I don't know if I am making any progress of getting off of probation.

Next semester will be either my fourth or fifth attempt in 120's (barring my passing into 140's) and I'm sure that somewhere around that time, I will be put on speed probation if I do not make some substantial progress soon.  We have five semesters to get out of a particular speed level before getting kicked out of school.

I have tried everything I know how to do, and I cannot seem to get past this barrier of 120 WPM.  This is where I hit my plateau at the last school I attended.  I have also dealt with  health problems (severe fatigue, which I'm being treated for).

As I see it,the options I have are:

1.  Continue at CCR and practice to get out of 120's, and find some sort of work to help pay for schooling.  I am starting to look into proofreading and scoping (editing transcripts).  I want something that I can do at home because of my son's schedule.  

2.  Take a break of one or two semesters and then come back, while practicing on my own in the meantime.  The one reason I don't want to do this is that I'm afraid that if I leave school, I will not come back at all.  

3.  Leave school for good.

What also complicates my situation is that I do have a family, including a child with autism that will need more help than your "average" kid to make it in the world.  

I have seriously considered not taking finals this go around. (Final and midterm speed tests are optional in my CR school.  They are an opportunity to jump into the next speed level.)  For the past several semesters, every time I have attempted midterms and finals, I have come away crying and discouraged because of my poor performance.  I also can't remember the last time I passed an speed test.  I think it's been at least a year.  

Am I overlooking something?  Do any of you have any suggestions?  (I've also e-mailed my teachers at school to see what they say.)

[Peppina Rayna Harlow]

It's been studied that it takes approximately four and a half years to become a court reporter.  I know ittook me that long with no responsibilities like children or full-time job to distract me.  I practiced in a listening lab at my school from 8am-9pm every day unless I was in class.  I got a job as a scopist for one reporter and did that too.  I always practiced 20 WPM over my target speed.  Once I could write that tape - no matter how many hundreds of times I wrote it til I got it - I could pass the target tests to move up to the next level.  

Scoping is a rewarding career choice also.  As a writer yourself, your skills are of great help to the reporter you are scoping for.  And you can still practice if you have time.  Once you can write maybe 200s (220 tapes) at home, start up at school again in a few years when your son is less dependent. 

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Another thought:  You didn't mention what your practice routine is.  Are you sitting there practicing for an hour at a time - or more?  Could be your practice routine is automated (like assembly line worker), and it isn't beneficial.  Change your practice to twenty minutes, then stop.  That means all practice, from speed building, writing for control, reading, whatever.  Make it twenty minutes max.  In a few hours when you feel fresh, start again.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

When I was in court reporting school I hit a spot where I changed my mental being.  I started meditating several times a day, for like 10 or 15 minutes at a time.  It did wonders for me.  It built up my emotional energy, my stamina, my self esteem, my "I am a god feeling."  You really need to start meditating.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

There is always the possibility that court reporting isn't for you.  The others are right.  The first thing you need to do is sit with your husband and discuss what your priorities are.  (Such as being financially stable, taking care of your son, having a happy marriage).  There is a very strong possibility that your fatigue is being caused by your emotional state (trying to build speed is a very emotional state).  Is your son in school right now?  You may want to qualify to be a substitute teacher.  It isn't much money, but the flexibility is great.  As the others said, scoping is a good choice too.

As for the court reporting:  Sounds like you have a mental block.   If you haven't made any progress in a year, even at 120, and you are on academic probation, then just what would continuing to pay tuition do for you?  But it sounds like you want the court reporting too?  Make your own alternative court reporting program.  Buy the twelve weeks of Simply Steno ($30?) .  Buy one year of RealtimeCoach.  And be your own teacher, at your own pace, your own advocate.  There will be no stress, no one to make you feel like a failure. 

If 120 is your block - F'G SKIP IT!!!!  Get the Simply Steno and Realtime Coach.  Write at 110, stuff you don't know.  Write clean and build up your confidence and your stamina.  Write from a newspaper (Wall Street Journal, US Journal?).  Write a paragraph and READ IT BACK.  Then move on to 130 or 140.  And keep going.

 

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Tina, if you're having severe fatigue now, I doubt you'd be able to sit in a deposition for seven hours straight like a lot of us have to do.  You don't have a lot of choice how long these jobs go.  Having fatigue now, that's not a good sign.  I wonder if court reporting is even for you.

I agree with Janet and Janiece you may want to look into something that has some flexibility where you can stand up and move around and not be sitting for hours at a time all day.  Lots of scopists love their job and they have the freedom you need with your son.  Once you get good and you make a name for yourself with a group of reporters, you can make a very good living.

Court reporting puts a huge strain on your body.  I've been reporting for 26 years and my tendonitis is not getting any better, it only gets worse.  It is something to keep in mind how difficult this job is physically once you're out there.  I love my job and would do it all over again.  Just something to keep in mind. 

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

[Janiece]

Tina,

I agree with everything Janet said.  It is excellent advice.

I'm thinking of you too and pulling for you.

Janiece

[Janet]

I'm sorry things have been so tough for you, Tina.  After reading about all of the issues, financial, your health, your son's health, and paying out a lot of money without being able to make significant progress, I wonder if you might consider buying editing software instead of paying tuition for next semester and letting school go for now.  I know what it's like to have a child with serious issues.  Years ago I took a full-time job as a federal official court reporter.  Just after I was hired, my son started having major issues, hospitalizations, therapy, appointments, etc.  I had to miss a lot of days from work.  It was stressful and exhausting.  I ended up leaving the job after a year.  That was the right decision for my family.

If you were to start scoping, you'd have the flexibility you need.  You'd be home with your son when he needs you.  You'd also get money in, relieving that part of the stress.  If you had less stress, that would probably help your fatigue. 

 

Just remember that no decision has to be forever.  You may love scoping and decide to stick with it.  You may decide at another point in your life, if circumstances are different, to pursue school again.  If you want to talk further, email me at [e-mail].  I'm thinking of you, Tina.