How long has it taken you to finish school?

I have a big problem.  I just found out that my court reporting school is shutting down by August 2011.  I am currently on 180 jc 180 Q&A and 200 lit.  I don't know what to do, where to go.  This fall will be 2 years that I have been in this program.  I like court reporting but now I am questioning whether it is for me or not.  I don't want to waist 2 years of my life.  How long does it usually take to finish?  I know I still have a ways to go, so I was just wondering how long it has taken any of y'all?  I live in Texas.  I don't know about the online programs if they are good or not?  I'm just so confused and would love some great advise!  Please help me!   Thanks!

Hi, there.  I've been reporting about 2 1/2 years and I'm more than twice your age.  I just mention that b/c I had dreamed of doing this when I was 20, got sidetracked, and then it came back around 20 years later.  I have never been happier in my career and kinda wish I had done it at your age.  I love the flexibility of going out on a job, back home to edit, and although I spend many a late night working, the pay is very good and I'm home most of the time.  I didn't think I would like editing/scoping my transcripts, but turns out I love that, too.  So you just have to think through the reality of the logistics of this job, of which I've named a few, and decide if those things sound appealing.  Unfortunately, sometimes you just don't know until you're experiencing it.  Try to continue to ask questions and get as many perspectives as possible.   See if anyone will take you out with them to observe on the job and even write.  The reporter will always need to get permission from the attorneys before you just show up, though.  And if you go to court to write, you'll need to get permission ahead of time from the judge.  Otherwise, you can sit in the public seating and just observe for court. 

Regarding your skill level, you have progressed beautifully and are maybe closer than you think.  If your school is closing in 2011, you have an excellent shot at finishing before that time.   Even though it took me FOUR YEARS to complete the program, it only took me THREE MONTHS to pass all of my 180, 200, and 225s.  It was sort of my miracle quarter.  Our school closed, too -- IMMEDIATELY after I graduated.  Whew!  Talk about a close one! 

So only you can make the decision, but you're sooo close and with more hard work and then maybe even a little harder than that, you could be out very soon!  Not to give you false hope, but you've come so far so quickly, I think you'll make it just fine, and sooner than you think!  Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions for a fairly new-but-getting-more-experience-by-the- minute reporter. 

Cassandra  cmbeiling@comcast.net

I don't have a concrete answer to your question, but I've been in CR school for over 4 years.  My circumstances is what dictated that.  I do own my own business now, am a single mother of 4 children, and try to maintain life as I know how.  

In the time I've been in school I've seen students take 2 - 6 years to complete the course.  I attend a brick and mortar school, so I do not have any recommendations on online schools.

What theory do you write?  I don't think that  your theory would matter, as at this point you will only need speed building classes.  CRID (Court Reporting Institute of Dallas) offers an online course.  There are other courses as well, but I do not have any knowledge or experience of them.  

What is making you question whether or not it's for you?  Is it because of a circumstance that is beyond your control, the closure of your school?  

I think that even without a course, you can still complete it.  You don't need a "certificate of completion" to do this job.  If you dedicated enough time and practice you can speedbuild on your own and do practice takes of the RPR, eventually take and pass the RPR, and then be set in your career.

FWIW, waist is a part of the body where as waste is to use or spend carelessly, the word that is more appropriate in your sentence. Grammar is a must in this field.

Ritz

It took me 20 months, it takes many people 36 months, and some take longer. From what I have seen, if it took you two years to reach 180, you are in exceptionally good standing and should probably continue. Most schools advertise as two-year programs, and mine has its whole financial aid system set around the two-year goal, but in reality it is a skill which takes different amounts of time for different people.

At your speed level, I think you have a decent idea of whether this is for you, and whatever you choose, good luck.

Thank you everyone so much  for the support! You have no idea how much it means to mean despite the grammar comments. I was too upset to even loook at my paragraph I wrote. Plus I didn't think people would comment on that if anything. Anyways, I am going to intern this Fall and  Spring, and I know that will be a great experience for me to see if I will like this career or not. The only problem I'm having is my nerves. I know I could be on all 200 if my brain would concentrate and not get scared! That's what makes me so mad. It's like I forget all my briefs I made up and my brain goes blank. How do you get over that? Or what might help those nerves and the mind concentrate? Thanks you guys!
 

One last thing. Don't give your grammatical error another thought. Once I argued 10 minutes with my instructor for counting off when I spelled rough as ruff and tough as tuff. LOL. Oh, and this may sound a little out there, but when I have gotten that anxious feeling that you're talking about, for me, saying the Lord's Prayer really helped.  No, really! LOL. I think it helps on more than one level of your mind.

I can't believe Cheryl replied the way she did.  Very rude.

When I was asked to readback, my teachers would look over my shoulder and say, "You've got it.  Just read it back."  But I couldn't do it!  Maybe it was dyslexia, or ADD.  Also, I didn't learn phonics growing up!!  It wasn't the speed.  I could write like the wind.  After two and a half years in school, I hired one of the teachers at the school I attended to stay after with me for one hour a day.  She read five minutes and I read everything back; read five minutes, I read everything back.  I paid her $10 an hour times four days a week.  After six weeks I'd only put in $240 and passed my test the first time.  The school I attended said I wasn't ready to take the test, but this is what did it for me.  If you're determined, there's always a way.  Get a family member or friend to do the same and then do something for them.  It's not about how fast they read it to you.

It took me 20 months to pass my final test, and I was out of school 4 months later (missing the earlier cut off date by 2 weeks).

If you are already writing 200 literary, you are RIGHT there.  My guess is that you just need to learn some briefs and phrases specific to QA/Jury Charge.  Literary is a test of your knowledge of shorthand theory, and if that's your strongest suit, great for you. 
I'm just guessing, but I would say you probably need a handful of high-frequency jury charge briefs, and I would start with some Q/A Extentions (<Answer>Yes, No, etc.,) and some 2-3 word phrases . . . and you'll be to 225 on it in no time.  I can't stress enough how impressive it is to be able to write a strong 200wpm in literary.

It took me 6 more months after passing some 200wpm tests to finish school, and that jump from 180 to 200-225 was the longest in school for me, but it sounds like you're right on the doorstep.

Good luck!

-Mike

at the speed you're at, I wouldn't think you'd have a problem finishing by the time your school closes.  You're on the downhill side.  It took me exactly 2 yrs, but I was in my 30s and had to move in with my parents.  God rest her soul, but anyone wanting to get out of school quickly should have had to live with my mother...lol.

Good luck

T.

gosh, how i remember that feeling.   (the two schools that I went to shut down after I left -- I graduated court reporting in 1979, left the field and returned again after life changes in 2004)  perservere, don't give up.  this is going to serve to make you a resilient, flexible court reporter!  find an ROP program in school, check with your state CSR board (or the equivalent).  Online study is becoming more popular.  I have tons of practice tapes I can send you.  Once you get a new routine/study program, you'll be done very soon.  keep me posted.