Can anyone give me tips on how to learn dates and times easier?

Hi, I am an online student in my second semester. This week's lesson is numbers, time, dates, days of the week and months.

I am really struggling to keep up with the speaker when I write, for example:

9/KL*N/3/2/A*PL  (9:32 a.m.)

as well as,

9SL-RB10SL-RB10 (9/10/10)

It takes me a long time to write this, so I fall behind in the dictation and I start making mistakes on simple words because I'm so focused on getting the new stuff correct.

Up to this point, the lessons have been "do-able"for me. But I have been working on the audio assignment since Monday without any acceptable copies and beginning to worry I will never get this. I have a new instructor this semester who has instructed us not to use D-define, so there is no way I can create my own brief to save some time.

I appreciate any ideas!

Daria, the first rule to dates and numbers is to never touch the number bar and always write them as if they were words -- they are, in fact, high frequency words. 

I have my own method of briefs for numbers that have helped me alot.  Examples would be

13 -- thraen

14 -- fraen

15 -- faen

16 kpao*en ( so not to conflict company)

for years I do

1990 -- na*o

1980 -- gho*e

1991 nun*

I have a whole system.  I give you all the briefs if you want.  Contact me at AmandaJaneBrooks@Hotmail.com.  I'm always glad to help out another court reporter.

Amanda,

Your method of writing numbers sounds very efficient and one which I may adopt for my own (if allowed by my instructor).

I appreciate your feedback and your offer for further help in the future. I will take you up on that!

Thanks,

Daria