Beginning of Summer Semester 2014!

I haven't had much to say since my last post in what? February? regarding my school progress.
That is because, sadly enough, there wasn't much progress to report!

I think I already went over some of the reasons for the slooow-down, but looking back on the spring semester, I would definitely chalk it up to one simple fact:

I DIDN'T PRACTICE ENOUGH.

As simple as it sounds, I ignored my own cardinal rule about school -- that it comes first and foremost!
Knowing that art modeling gigs would dry up for the summer, I shamelessly took on a heck of a lot more jobs than I should have over spring, even going so far as to skip some days of class for it!
Mix that with some stressful passive-aggressive classmate tension and a Renaissance of Johnlock fanfic, and you've got a recipe for disaster*.

*"Disaster" may be too strong a word. After all, I did totally ace my READ53 and CTR26 classes, getting a 102% and highest final score for each class respectively. Plus 198/200 on the English vocab and 194/200 on the Medical vocab... Heck, I shouldn't beat myself up over it too much.

Still, things are going to be different this summer semester. The compacted semester (only 9 weeks!) means we're back to good, old extended class times WITH slightly different reader arrangements and NO academic classes to worry about! I'll be the first at the door when it opens and the last to leave when it closes, so help me!!

Additionally, I've got some new (and free!) online practice/test-taking sites to supplement my studying:
(1) EV360 --> My school is lucky enough to have been gifted the entire semester free. It contains bucket-loads of practice dictation as well as auto-graded tests!
(2) RTC --> Realtimecoach.com is a website with bucket-loads of practice dictation too. Only it also gives you realtime feedback on how you're doing. I was generously gifted 2-months free by a court reporter at the Eclipse Training Convention I attended in Las Vegas this April.
(3) StenoU --> Okay, nothing new here. In fact, depending on how these other online programs go, I don't think I'll be using StenoU again. Of all the times I've signed up for it, this past semester was the first time where it felt like a waste. Materials weren't uploaded as frequently (or to my liking), and, of course, I didn't really take full advantage of it. Plus, you have to pay in 6-month increments which is just bully-bull.

Okay, so here's my new goal for the summer semester:
- Pass 160 4-V
- Pass 160 Lit
- Pass 180 JC

I would be happy with those three!!
Until then!