Everything is goin' good this week...good practice--caught up on my hours--how 'bout u missy??

Indiana is a long way from San Diego! Okay - you deserve flowers -- I agree! Those winters are brutal. I spent one winter in Chicago with my husband when we were married - never again - I don't know how anyone takes the snow!

Good Wednesday, Brittany! I read your comments on your flowers on Tara's page -- oh gosh, I wish we could get flowers to grow like that in Roswell. It's the desert --no wonder aliens picked Roswell to land! When I lived in California I remember EVERYTHING just GREW and grew. I miss the hydrangias and geraniums the most.
I'm sure your flowers are lovely and will do well.

Hi Brittany. Hesitation is a common issues among students and working reporters and there are different ways to approach diagnosing and correcting the problem.

Reading back from your notes is a great way to identify where you hesitate. Once you do that, working on the words or theory principles that cause you to hesitate.

Also, transition practice, taking a page of the newspaper and copying it slowly will help you with hesitations because you are writing new words slowly and you are engraining them in your mind which helps reinforce your theory.

Also, take the time to read more...read more periodicals (Time, Newsweek, etc.) especially if your eventual goal is to be a captioner. Captioners have to be familiar with a variety of subjects and must have a strong vocabulary for the job.

I remember going back to my theory books when I was in school because I wasn't very confident in my writing and I did do that for awhile. Since you're studying from home, I would devote some time to reviewing your theory. The stronger the foundation the better writer and less hesitation you will have which translates into an easier time speed building.

Also, going to a physical school for the interaction with teachers for feedback is good, but I learned a lot on my own without my teachers helpingme. I wouldn't go to a school to see how other students are doing. Everyone learns differently and how you learn is unique to you and not anyone else. School is great for the social aspects of making friends and supporting each other.

I hope this helps you out, stay in touch.

Hey Brittney, I just left you a note on the forum. I didn't realize you were from Dallas. I did a lot of research about getting certified in TX because my husband is from Dallas, and I will tell you that TX has their own RPR to become certified. Because it is exactly the same test as the National test, the RPR, it seems like you could take that certification and transfer it over to states that require only the RPR. My understanding is that the TX exam is called a CSR, and not "the RPR," so you would still have to pass the RPR afterwards to receive that license. The good thing though, is that if you pass the CSR in TX it would be wise to try and take the RPR asap after your TX certification because they are exactly the same, with the exception of the written test, of course. But, if you are looking to perhaps work in states like where I'm from, CA for example, then you are dealing with a completely different test, which is a 15 min 4V. Nothing close at all compared to the RPR. Well, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to write to me! Take it easy, Elise Nock

Happy Tuesday, Brittany! How's your week going?

Hey Brittany, I do live in Dallas, I attend Court Reporting Institute of Dallas too. I just switched to online for this quarter, but I'm seriously rethinking that, it is way harder. Arlington is not far, although I rarely go there and don't know much about it. So why did you move? I like school I just wish I had more time to enjoy it, I work 11 hour days four days a week, sucks. And I wish I didn't feel in such a rush to get out, but working and going to school with a child, well it's hard. I want more time for her and for me, and more for us, so I feel as if I needed to be out of school like yesterday, know what I mean? But I find it all interesting and I enjoy it, at the same time I hate it, cause it is going to be my profession so it is kinda stressful. Ima keep doing what I can, put it in God's hands, and pray it all works out the way it should.

I was in the 80/100 class a the beginning of this term. I recognize your name too from there. How's it going?

Hey, Brittany!

i do feel pretty ready for it, but i don't want to get too ahead of myself. i still need to take every qualifier really seriously! i don't have any academics left to do. at my schoool, you can't sit in qualifiers (the last class, the one where you pass ONE and you can go to the state test) unless all of your academics and interning are done. it's a nice motivator! sounds like you're getting close to that 80! keep it up! what made you pick your school? is there not one around where you live?

Hi Brittany. I am in Speed Building 120/140. It took me forever to get out of 80/100. I miss theory now. I just thought it was hard way back when. Take my advice, and unless you like Speech a whole lot, take it from somewhere else. We are only supposed to spend 5 hours a week on academic classes, but Speech took up at least 10 hours a week. Forntunately, it was only a 7 week class and this is our last week. Who is your theory teacher? What academic are you taking?

Theory and speedbuilding are never finished, that's for sure! I see one of our reporters practicing a lot - she's been at it for nearly 30 years - still does speedbuilding. We actually don't have that many hearings that are stenoed. We have electronic monitors (I am also an electronic monitor-have to be able to pinch hit) for most hearings , so she has to keep up her speed. You will get it though! I have faith in you!

Oh, that's scarey! But, you know, maybe a light bulb will go off and you will whiz through your tests -- it could happen! You might just be stuck on a certain fingering or letter combination and when you overcome that, it won't be too much harder at the 100 speed. I'm sending positive vibes to you......ooooh.....LOL!

yeah! i actually just found out that the CSR (our state test) is july 25th. wish me luck! you'll be there soon!!! how is 80-100s going? we learned StenEd theory, how about you?

Well, no wonder! I'm so glad to "meet" you, by the way!!! That was really good for a laugh! Your mom is a very knowledgeble gal, by the way. Are you enjohing school?

Oh! Silly me! Is Taraleigh your mom? I thought Pam (Imler-Cooper) was in the CASE class! Is that you? I'm lost on the map of the world......help!

Thanks for the add, Brittany! I'm in the CASE class with your mother! I think you are a quarter ahead of me -- and, frankly, I'm a little anxious about that next class! I'm looking forward to networking here!

Hey, Brittany! Good to see you, too!!

We started off just learning how to use the machine and when we completed the last two chapters of our theory book, we tested for a 40wpm test...then a 50wpm test....and then finally you have to pass 4 60wpm test in order to get into the 80/100 class. Our school calls beginning-80/100's class "theory." Sounds like they just through you into your speed class...I was scared enough with having to take a 40's test for my first time, I can imagine how you must have felt. YIKES!!!