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!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Post-DRA Convention 2014!
Wow! What an experience!
I just got back from a weekend in Palm Springs for the 18th Annual DRA Convention. In a nutshell, I'd say that the convention could not have gone smoother. I made tons of connections, realized the value of Facebook, and learned a wallop of information! I'd been preparing for this event both mentally and physically (in a way) for a few months, so it was great to finally have it happen.
There were a few things I did to prepare for it:
(1) cut/color hair!
(2) get a business suit!
(3) make business cards!
I wound up snagging a great deal on a beautiful navy blue 3-piece from Banana Republic thanks to the President's Day weekend sales. I almost went for a Theory suit at first..for nearly 3x the price! Yeesh! Maybe for my second suit...
Thank you, vistaprint.com for the affordable and good-looking business cards!
Of all the panels I attended, I loved anything presented by NCRA President Nancy Varallo (she's such a good speaker,) though I was also tickled by the panel on cyber-safety! Ooh, talk about reinforcing my paranoia.
However, every panel was so interesting and informative that my head is still reeling, trying to keep everything straight. Here was another fun thing obtained at the con...
Ironically, the first week back to school was actually more nerve-wracking than before. I really psyched myself out about having to get as many certifications as I can before I'm "ready" to work abroad. Some talking to other working reporters, however, has since calmed me down. Phew!
I've still got that 160 4-V to pass, but I know that I'll pass it in the coming weeks. I just need to stay cool and get through it! Once I do, I can finally start on my apprenticeship hours. I really can't wait to attend more depositions and get a much better sense of what it's like in the "real world."
I'll set my next goal as setting the 160 4-V by the end of March! Let's see how it goes!
I just got back from a weekend in Palm Springs for the 18th Annual DRA Convention. In a nutshell, I'd say that the convention could not have gone smoother. I made tons of connections, realized the value of Facebook, and learned a wallop of information! I'd been preparing for this event both mentally and physically (in a way) for a few months, so it was great to finally have it happen.
There were a few things I did to prepare for it:
(1) cut/color hair!
(2) get a business suit!
(3) make business cards!
I wound up snagging a great deal on a beautiful navy blue 3-piece from Banana Republic thanks to the President's Day weekend sales. I almost went for a Theory suit at first..for nearly 3x the price! Yeesh! Maybe for my second suit...
Thank you, vistaprint.com for the affordable and good-looking business cards!
 |
| People seemed pleasantly amused by my card! |
However, every panel was so interesting and informative that my head is still reeling, trying to keep everything straight. Here was another fun thing obtained at the con...
 |
| Collect them all! |
I've still got that 160 4-V to pass, but I know that I'll pass it in the coming weeks. I just need to stay cool and get through it! Once I do, I can finally start on my apprenticeship hours. I really can't wait to attend more depositions and get a much better sense of what it's like in the "real world."
I'll set my next goal as setting the 160 4-V by the end of March! Let's see how it goes!
Friday, February 7, 2014
160 QA Test Passed!
Remember how in my last post I mentioned how I'd felt REALLY good about this one 160 QA test I just did?
Wellll, it turns out that I'd passed it back on Monday after all! 11 errors, so it was well within my 20-error limit! I am so stoked, because now I only have 160 4-V to get through!
160 QA passed on February 3, 2014
And compared to last week (being the first week of school), my hands have been stellar on 160 4-Vs! Granted I haven't quite corrected them yet, but I'm eager to see how I did on the two I just did this past week.
In other news, I just had a wonderful phone conversation today with a very supportive and very helpful rep from a certain deposition firm whom I love! May share more on that later! Next time I write will either be about my passing a 160 4-V or about how the DRA Convention went!
Current Goal: Pass 160 4-V by 2/20/2014
Wellll, it turns out that I'd passed it back on Monday after all! 11 errors, so it was well within my 20-error limit! I am so stoked, because now I only have 160 4-V to get through!
160 QA passed on February 3, 2014
And compared to last week (being the first week of school), my hands have been stellar on 160 4-Vs! Granted I haven't quite corrected them yet, but I'm eager to see how I did on the two I just did this past week.
In other news, I just had a wonderful phone conversation today with a very supportive and very helpful rep from a certain deposition firm whom I love! May share more on that later! Next time I write will either be about my passing a 160 4-V or about how the DRA Convention went!
Current Goal: Pass 160 4-V by 2/20/2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Return to Spring Semester!
I write the at the start of the second week of the glorious Spring Semester!
And it's shaping up to be quite a semester! All good, trust me.
First of all, my schedule is much more open, meaning:
a.) no more riding back home at 8pm on average ever night
b.) more modeling opportunities = money!*
I'm taking an online Reading class which should be loads of fun and a bit of a breeze to boot!
Speed building, however, is a whole new beast. It feels like I'm out of the Kiddy Pool for once, as things are much more serious and more trying. It's only been one full week, but wow 160 has been kicking my butt! My fingers are dragging in letters left and right, and there is much new stuff to adapt to. Like the fact that we have four live speakers on 4V days! And that's twice a week! I shouldn't complain. It's all really good practice, but I just recognize that I still have some rust to shake off of my fingers until I'll feel like I'm flying again! Although StenoU is still being good to me, somehow. I felt quite good about this past 160 one. Maybe no real drops, just messy writing. ^^;
So my latest goal for this semester is to complete a 160 QA and 160 4-V in time for the DRA Convention which is taking place at the end of February! That gives me just under a month now, so we'll see! Ooooh, how nice it would be to say "I'm in 180" while I'm there. Drreeeeam~~
I'll also have to look back over my previous post(s) to see how much I missed covering over the looong holiday break. You'll hear from me then!
*Not that I'm only doing modeling for money, but I've decided that my goal is to see how much of the total COST of my court reporting academic career I can essentially offset by modeling. So far, it's made a difference of $2,000. Hopefully that number will go much higher as I have more favorable hours in the day to devote to modeling. I know it shouldn't compete with my studies, so we'll see how well I can strike a balance!
And it's shaping up to be quite a semester! All good, trust me.
First of all, my schedule is much more open, meaning:
a.) no more riding back home at 8pm on average ever night
b.) more modeling opportunities = money!*
I'm taking an online Reading class which should be loads of fun and a bit of a breeze to boot!
Speed building, however, is a whole new beast. It feels like I'm out of the Kiddy Pool for once, as things are much more serious and more trying. It's only been one full week, but wow 160 has been kicking my butt! My fingers are dragging in letters left and right, and there is much new stuff to adapt to. Like the fact that we have four live speakers on 4V days! And that's twice a week! I shouldn't complain. It's all really good practice, but I just recognize that I still have some rust to shake off of my fingers until I'll feel like I'm flying again! Although StenoU is still being good to me, somehow. I felt quite good about this past 160 one. Maybe no real drops, just messy writing. ^^;
So my latest goal for this semester is to complete a 160 QA and 160 4-V in time for the DRA Convention which is taking place at the end of February! That gives me just under a month now, so we'll see! Ooooh, how nice it would be to say "I'm in 180" while I'm there. Drreeeeam~~
I'll also have to look back over my previous post(s) to see how much I missed covering over the looong holiday break. You'll hear from me then!
*Not that I'm only doing modeling for money, but I've decided that my goal is to see how much of the total COST of my court reporting academic career I can essentially offset by modeling. So far, it's made a difference of $2,000. Hopefully that number will go much higher as I have more favorable hours in the day to devote to modeling. I know it shouldn't compete with my studies, so we'll see how well I can strike a balance!
Monday, December 9, 2013
160 JC Passed! ... And Exams!
Yeesh! I'm a week behind with this update! What's the matter with me?
As you can see, I've passed my 160 JC test!
160 JC Passed on 12/2/2013!
This completes my semester goal of finishing two 160-level tests before winter break!
SOOOO happy to have accomplished this. I really had to push for this one, and there were several times where I didn't pass a test by, like, one or two errors! Those are always the most infuriating.
So, the pass came at a good time, because I had also filled my school schedule with maybe one or two more modeling gigs than I should have. ^^; It's really my guilty pleasure.
But I'm already reconsidering just how much modeling I should allow myself to do come next semester. Don't get me wrong, I still love doing it and hey, who can complain about a little extra dough on the side, but I've really been thinking that I should focus 100% on my studies! I mean, check it out! I'm half way to my goal! Why slow down now?
ALSO, huuuge dose of inspiration thanks to a phone conversation with a deposition reporter who reports in Japan. More on that in a separate post.
Oh, yes. Exams. I completed my medical vocabulary component for speedbuilding class. 199/200. Not bad!
And as for Court & Deposition Procedures final, 45/50. So that maintains my A average.
All that's left in terms of exams is the Medical Terminology class tomorrow night! And I'm confident that I've got that one in the bag. ^_~
There is Eric's testathon tonight, and thought I have already requested a 160 QA test, I'm oh-so tempted to head home early... Meh. Oh! But this means plenty of time to look at Total Eclipse tutorial videos! I really want to nail this thing down!
Until next time, I won't have much to report in the way of test passes, but hopefully there will be much to say regarding learning more about my machine/Eclipse/deposition shadowing (fingers crossed!)
As you can see, I've passed my 160 JC test!
160 JC Passed on 12/2/2013!
This completes my semester goal of finishing two 160-level tests before winter break!
SOOOO happy to have accomplished this. I really had to push for this one, and there were several times where I didn't pass a test by, like, one or two errors! Those are always the most infuriating.
So, the pass came at a good time, because I had also filled my school schedule with maybe one or two more modeling gigs than I should have. ^^; It's really my guilty pleasure.
But I'm already reconsidering just how much modeling I should allow myself to do come next semester. Don't get me wrong, I still love doing it and hey, who can complain about a little extra dough on the side, but I've really been thinking that I should focus 100% on my studies! I mean, check it out! I'm half way to my goal! Why slow down now?
ALSO, huuuge dose of inspiration thanks to a phone conversation with a deposition reporter who reports in Japan. More on that in a separate post.
Oh, yes. Exams. I completed my medical vocabulary component for speedbuilding class. 199/200. Not bad!
And as for Court & Deposition Procedures final, 45/50. So that maintains my A average.
All that's left in terms of exams is the Medical Terminology class tomorrow night! And I'm confident that I've got that one in the bag. ^_~
There is Eric's testathon tonight, and thought I have already requested a 160 QA test, I'm oh-so tempted to head home early... Meh. Oh! But this means plenty of time to look at Total Eclipse tutorial videos! I really want to nail this thing down!
Until next time, I won't have much to report in the way of test passes, but hopefully there will be much to say regarding learning more about my machine/Eclipse/deposition shadowing (fingers crossed!)
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
From Manual to Digital
No, no news of a test pass this time!
I thought I'd change things up and talk about a new step forward in terms of my "career" as a court reporting student.
As of yesterday, I've purchased a WAVE writer from Stenograph!
For those of you who don't know, the Wave is the student version of the very popular professional Diamante machine also released by Stenograph. As far as I can tell, and according to Wikipedia, Stenograph owns 90% of the market, so it's no wonder several other classmates of mine are getting their Waves, too! (Plus, we had a representative come by a few months back and that left a very strong impression on me.)
What I'm most looking forward to with this new machine is:
1) No more using paper.
--> Yes, my tree-hugging ways still governs many of my choices.
2) No messy ink.
--> Just recently, I was having significant issues with my paper, which resulted in many messy inky fingers. Yuck. Plus, per my tree-hugging ways, I like to do a lot of practice on the machine without any paper in it at all, and that causes an unfortunate build-up of ink on the roll. Unnecessary, I tell you!
3) Lighter touch!
--> Need I say more? Seriously, I'm pretty sure there's going to be an obvious difference in finger/hand strain with this lighter, digital touch.
4) Familiarization with Eclipse
--> Ah, a goal that I had since summer. Use my CAT program more. Alas, I opted to focus first and foremost on my writing and accuracy, and let messing around on Eclipse fall by the wayside. Despite what appears to be building up to a rather busy December/January, it's my hope that I'll take the time to work on building my dictionary/briefs, and all around getting more familiar with the many intricacies of the program. Besides, I still have that webinar on Eclipse features that I have yet to watch! D'oh!
The reason for my getting the Wave now is that I told myself I'd switch over to paperless as soon as I passed out of 140. With that goal passed, I'm simply fulfilling my promise to myself. Plus, part of me was holding out on the Passport Touch...until I realized that there was no student edition for it available.
I'm very excited about my new machine arriving next Wednesday, but I know better than to think that a new machine will possibly guarantee faster writing. As a wise classmate of mine says, "The bow doesn't make the Indian." Wise words, Peggy. Wise words.
And with that, I eaglery await its arrival in a brand-spanking new jetbag and rolling backpack.
Quick note about that: I absolutely DESPISE rolling cases!! The amount of air pollution they create with their obnoxious wheels droning and roaring across the granite floor makes my skin crawl and sets my nerves on edge! It sounds like a tornado ripping across campus just outside of the classrooms, as anyone will attest to when I'm trying to hold a conversation over the phone outside.
In the hope of avoiding any further hearing damage to my fellow classmates, I vow to avoid using the roller and am already considering adding back straps to it...
I thought I'd change things up and talk about a new step forward in terms of my "career" as a court reporting student.
As of yesterday, I've purchased a WAVE writer from Stenograph!
Available in gray, gray, or gray!
For those of you who don't know, the Wave is the student version of the very popular professional Diamante machine also released by Stenograph. As far as I can tell, and according to Wikipedia, Stenograph owns 90% of the market, so it's no wonder several other classmates of mine are getting their Waves, too! (Plus, we had a representative come by a few months back and that left a very strong impression on me.)
What I'm most looking forward to with this new machine is:
1) No more using paper.
--> Yes, my tree-hugging ways still governs many of my choices.
2) No messy ink.
--> Just recently, I was having significant issues with my paper, which resulted in many messy inky fingers. Yuck. Plus, per my tree-hugging ways, I like to do a lot of practice on the machine without any paper in it at all, and that causes an unfortunate build-up of ink on the roll. Unnecessary, I tell you!
3) Lighter touch!
--> Need I say more? Seriously, I'm pretty sure there's going to be an obvious difference in finger/hand strain with this lighter, digital touch.
4) Familiarization with Eclipse
--> Ah, a goal that I had since summer. Use my CAT program more. Alas, I opted to focus first and foremost on my writing and accuracy, and let messing around on Eclipse fall by the wayside. Despite what appears to be building up to a rather busy December/January, it's my hope that I'll take the time to work on building my dictionary/briefs, and all around getting more familiar with the many intricacies of the program. Besides, I still have that webinar on Eclipse features that I have yet to watch! D'oh!
The reason for my getting the Wave now is that I told myself I'd switch over to paperless as soon as I passed out of 140. With that goal passed, I'm simply fulfilling my promise to myself. Plus, part of me was holding out on the Passport Touch...until I realized that there was no student edition for it available.
I'm very excited about my new machine arriving next Wednesday, but I know better than to think that a new machine will possibly guarantee faster writing. As a wise classmate of mine says, "The bow doesn't make the Indian." Wise words, Peggy. Wise words.
And with that, I eaglery await its arrival in a brand-spanking new jetbag and rolling backpack.
Quick note about that: I absolutely DESPISE rolling cases!! The amount of air pollution they create with their obnoxious wheels droning and roaring across the granite floor makes my skin crawl and sets my nerves on edge! It sounds like a tornado ripping across campus just outside of the classrooms, as anyone will attest to when I'm trying to hold a conversation over the phone outside.
In the hope of avoiding any further hearing damage to my fellow classmates, I vow to avoid using the roller and am already considering adding back straps to it...
Thursday, November 21, 2013
140 Lit Passed!
Phew!
Having had a rip-roaring good time with my sister for the first week of November, it took me until the second week of being back in school to really GET IN THE GROOVE again.
And as you can see, the effort paid off!
140 Lit Test Passed on November 18th, 2013
That's the first of the 160-level tests, albeit it the slowest of them. It felt only okay-ish and I DID only pass by the skin of my teeth. ^^;
Like the 120 Lit test from before, I feel like "Hmph. Not my best work." A lot of luck, easy verbage, and even some guessing got me through this test. But I look forward to future tests where it comes easier.
Today also starts the beginning of what will be two solid weeks of DOUBLE-TESTING! That means two tests given during each class.
While this doesn't completely help my goal of completing 160 JC by the end of the semester because only one test will be given in the 15 minutes before class, every bit counts, right?
My passing 160 JC is really 50/50 at this point. I feel like it'd have to be a really "good" (read: easy) test and read by a consistent speaker. I've also already booked myself a lot of modeling gigs during these last few weeks, so some may cut into my remaining opportunities. But I'm pretty okay with that. I feel honestly that I'm just not THERE yet with160 yet. It's the truth, but I already see 160 not quite on the horizon. He's a little closer to me than before and with every passing day, he'll get even closer.
Hopefully I'll have some exciting news before the end of the semester is out! Otherwise, I'll just say what a great Winter Break it'll be!
Until then!
Having had a rip-roaring good time with my sister for the first week of November, it took me until the second week of being back in school to really GET IN THE GROOVE again.
And as you can see, the effort paid off!
140 Lit Test Passed on November 18th, 2013
That's the first of the 160-level tests, albeit it the slowest of them. It felt only okay-ish and I DID only pass by the skin of my teeth. ^^;
Like the 120 Lit test from before, I feel like "Hmph. Not my best work." A lot of luck, easy verbage, and even some guessing got me through this test. But I look forward to future tests where it comes easier.
Today also starts the beginning of what will be two solid weeks of DOUBLE-TESTING! That means two tests given during each class.
While this doesn't completely help my goal of completing 160 JC by the end of the semester because only one test will be given in the 15 minutes before class, every bit counts, right?
My passing 160 JC is really 50/50 at this point. I feel like it'd have to be a really "good" (read: easy) test and read by a consistent speaker. I've also already booked myself a lot of modeling gigs during these last few weeks, so some may cut into my remaining opportunities. But I'm pretty okay with that. I feel honestly that I'm just not THERE yet with160 yet. It's the truth, but I already see 160 not quite on the horizon. He's a little closer to me than before and with every passing day, he'll get even closer.
Hopefully I'll have some exciting news before the end of the semester is out! Otherwise, I'll just say what a great Winter Break it'll be!
Until then!
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