How long does it usually take to finish the court reporting program?

I have been in the court reporting program for five years and I haven't graduated yet.  I am currently at 180-200 WPM.  Is there any advice on how to speed up the progress?

Practice, practice, and more practice ... you're almost there ... you can see the light!!!

Yes, try now to do shadowing of court, dep, and/or CART work.  All have their challenges: new voices (not just the ones you hear everyday in school), different speech patterns (needing that dash stroke becomes a reality), and the speed (ridiculously fast speakers) and endurance (more than 5-minutes!) you need to push ahead.  I think what helped me was having to write in a more "real" environment and writing for longer periods than 5-10 minutes.  Having to adjust speeds constantly to speakers' speed and cadence is not something that you learn in school, but it's a skill that can help you improve your overall speedbuilding.  Also, nothing can help you feel like you're close to finishing than getting out there and interning or shadowing someone -- this improves your skills practically and can offer new motivation as you see how to apply your new skills in the jobs you will soon have.   Look for opportunities now.  It can take an effort but it's what is needed when you've come this far.  And you have come far!

Hi Katie,

Congrats on getting almost to the end of CR school - no easy feat.

When I got to my last speeds, I sat in court all day as often as I could.  It was absolutely exhausting.  I remember coming home & going straight to bed.  But it gave me the stamina and the speed I needed to pass those last tests.

Good luck to you!  You can do it!

Don't laugh, but my school brought in a hypnotist and I went to him for four sessions.  Flew through school.  Did the whole program in 2.5 years and that was going through a whole pregnancy halfway through.  It really helped calm my nerves.  I also would use hand sanitizer before every test to keep myself from getting nervous.  It would dry my hands and became a calming ritual.  :-)

In my class one girl flew through in 13 months from theory to 225...but she was truly an exception..I believe her dad was a cr and she was young, no kids, no husband..need I say more...she was a very hard worker and I think ate, slept and dreamt steno......I guess you have to get like that to get something that you really want???  At 180 you can taste the finish line....just keep pushing..you are almost there...