Most of the time I find it hard to get motivated to practice at home after a day of schooling, and always a little harder on the weekends. My excuse for during the weekdays when I have school, is that I'm mentally exhausted, and also my hand muscles feel strained because of the 225 - 240wpm sustained Q/A or even literary material during 2 out of the 3 periods of my school. I know I need to hear speeds that fast because I need to train my brain to listen that quickly and then transfer what they're saying to my fingers instantaneously, but I feel that sometimes my fingers are so out of control that I'm just slapping random keys and if I had my realtime plugged in, only about 2% of the words would come out correctly. I feel like that is just hindering my writing because my fingers are not learning the correct strokes, they're just going everywhere.
One of the things that motivates me a little more to practice is if I practice to something interesting to me. It's so refreshing to be able to just practice to something interesting when all day at school I'm hearing jury charge after jury charge, and I can pretty much recite those word for word now. And one of my teachers likes to torture us -- I'm pretty sure -- because she will sometimes decide to read us zoning regulations or estate planning at excess speeds of 200+. I just want to shoot myself to put me out of my misery! lol
So today, I asked my mom if she would be able to read me some short stories out of Readers Digest. Side Note: The teacher that likes to torture us sometimes breaks up the monotony with stories out of there so she redeems herself with that. :) But anway, so I had my mom read the short story once, slow, and then a second time fast. Her fast speed was probably about 200wpm which is good. :) She read to me for about 40 minutes because she had other errands to do today. It was a good little practice, and then for about 30 minutes after that I put briefs in my dicionary. I want my realtime to look amazing!!
That's what I practiced for today. :) I know it's not much, but it's better than none at all. I need to start getting ready for the day as well because I'm going to a BBQ with all my friends for a pre-4th of July party. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
XO, Aly
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Court Reporting Article
Hi, all!
I found a really cool court reporting article that I would like to share with you. Check it out here! :)
Hope you are all doing great and keeping out of the heat!
XoXo, Aly
I found a really cool court reporting article that I would like to share with you. Check it out here! :)
Hope you are all doing great and keeping out of the heat!
XoXo, Aly
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Good morning!
Good morning, everyone!
Just woke up a little while ago. Today my speedbuilding classes were canceled because we were short a couple of the readers. So I guess that means it's up to me to not be lazy and jump on my machine to get a little practice time in! Thinking about practicing to some 180-200 4-voice DVD's, and then some 225 Jury Charge.
Tomorrow is also the CSR test in Los Angeles, so congrats to everyone who has gotten to that point, and good luck! I actually went to the CSR in Los Angeles this past March with some girls from my school (we're all at the same speed.) Of course, this was only for practice and to see how the set up was. I encourage everyone to go and check it out! I didn't actually take the CSR, but every time they do have the CSR, they always have practice sessions the night before and the morning of the test. These practice sessions are great! And that's what the girls and I did from my school.
On another note, I was on YouTube this morning, and I'm subscribed to Mark Kislingbury's videos. (In case someone doesn't know who he is, he holds the award for the fastest writer at 360wpm!) His name is 'magumsteno' in case you would like to subscribe as well. Here is one of his videos that was intriguing to me:
I was taught StenEd Theory and I've always been trying to shorten my writing; however, he shortens his to such an extent that I do not know how he memorizes all those 3 or 4 word phrases! To me it just sounds like it would be difficult to memorize those all, especially if you do not hear them very often. I also don't know how easy it would be for me to try to read all these one-word strokes that I have in my notes. For now, I am just trying to find briefs for words that I am having to do 3 or 4 strokes on. I believe that will help me with my speed. Thoughts?
XO, Aly
Just woke up a little while ago. Today my speedbuilding classes were canceled because we were short a couple of the readers. So I guess that means it's up to me to not be lazy and jump on my machine to get a little practice time in! Thinking about practicing to some 180-200 4-voice DVD's, and then some 225 Jury Charge.
Tomorrow is also the CSR test in Los Angeles, so congrats to everyone who has gotten to that point, and good luck! I actually went to the CSR in Los Angeles this past March with some girls from my school (we're all at the same speed.) Of course, this was only for practice and to see how the set up was. I encourage everyone to go and check it out! I didn't actually take the CSR, but every time they do have the CSR, they always have practice sessions the night before and the morning of the test. These practice sessions are great! And that's what the girls and I did from my school.
On another note, I was on YouTube this morning, and I'm subscribed to Mark Kislingbury's videos. (In case someone doesn't know who he is, he holds the award for the fastest writer at 360wpm!) His name is 'magumsteno' in case you would like to subscribe as well. Here is one of his videos that was intriguing to me:
I was taught StenEd Theory and I've always been trying to shorten my writing; however, he shortens his to such an extent that I do not know how he memorizes all those 3 or 4 word phrases! To me it just sounds like it would be difficult to memorize those all, especially if you do not hear them very often. I also don't know how easy it would be for me to try to read all these one-word strokes that I have in my notes. For now, I am just trying to find briefs for words that I am having to do 3 or 4 strokes on. I believe that will help me with my speed. Thoughts?
XO, Aly
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
It's been a while
Hey, all!
Not too sure how many will still check out my blog since I haven't posted in, like, half a year lol.
So update on my school progress.. I am not officially in the 200's yet, but my school allows me to sit up in the higher speed classes because I have passed my 180 Lit and 180 Jury charge. I just haven't passed my 180 4-voice yet. Although a month ago I almost passed a 180 4-voice. I missed it by 3 (and it was all because of punctuation errors) I could have killed myself! I was so mad and disappointed :(
Oh, well though.. I guess the time will come soon enough for me. I just need to keep at it and practice, practice, practice!
Hope everyone is doing well and, if you'd like, please leave me a comment letting me know where you are at in school! :)
XO, Aly
Not too sure how many will still check out my blog since I haven't posted in, like, half a year lol.
So update on my school progress.. I am not officially in the 200's yet, but my school allows me to sit up in the higher speed classes because I have passed my 180 Lit and 180 Jury charge. I just haven't passed my 180 4-voice yet. Although a month ago I almost passed a 180 4-voice. I missed it by 3 (and it was all because of punctuation errors) I could have killed myself! I was so mad and disappointed :(
Oh, well though.. I guess the time will come soon enough for me. I just need to keep at it and practice, practice, practice!
Hope everyone is doing well and, if you'd like, please leave me a comment letting me know where you are at in school! :)
XO, Aly
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
SO HAPPY!!!
Today I FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY passed my 160 four-voice test!!! It has been 7 mos in this class so it feels great!!! Not to mention missing the test by 2, and another by only 8 mistakes.
Now I just need to pass my 180 four-voice to be in the 200's!!
Great way to end the semester so I'm happy. :) That was my goal was to pass it before Christmas break.
Hope everyone is doing well!!! :)
-Alyson
Now I just need to pass my 180 four-voice to be in the 200's!!
Great way to end the semester so I'm happy. :) That was my goal was to pass it before Christmas break.
Hope everyone is doing well!!! :)
-Alyson
Monday, June 7, 2010
Ooohh Back to School! :)
Today was my first day back to school from vacation! We got 2 weeks off, and I was SO ready to go back! I also started my court and deposition procedures class (it seems like it's going to be reallly boring) lol I hope I can stay awake!
Anyway, so today after I got home I relaxed for a little bit and then decided to get a little bit of practice time in. I listened to my 2 classes that I had today from my voice recorder. It only came out to about a full hour of dictation, but I typed it anyway. One class was strictly medical, and the other was jury.
So, I've been on a brief kick lately because I bought this new book:
and I absolutely LOVE it! I know it's not a "Sten Ed" brief book, and it's not 100% conflict-free, but HEAVEN forbid your writing isn't 100% conflict-free! I don't even think that's possible! I just love how the book gives briefs on pretty much every word imaginable, and they're easy to remember AND easy on the fingers! So I've been adding words to my rolodex of briefs so I can quiz myself every day, and I also add them to my personal dictionary on case catalyst.
When I talk about this book having way easier briefs than the Sten Ed dictionary, I will give you this example:
The word "perform." With the Sten Ed way it's P-FRPL or you can do it in two strokes. With the Brief Encounters book it gives you this option: PORM. EASY to remember and WAY easier on the fingers than trying to twist your fingers into the P-FRPL position!
So it works for me. I've always been pretty good about remembering briefs -- especially if they're easy on the fingers.
So just throwing out that other option to any of you that are reading this that are in the Sten Ed theory!!!
--Alyson
Anyway, so today after I got home I relaxed for a little bit and then decided to get a little bit of practice time in. I listened to my 2 classes that I had today from my voice recorder. It only came out to about a full hour of dictation, but I typed it anyway. One class was strictly medical, and the other was jury.
So, I've been on a brief kick lately because I bought this new book:
and I absolutely LOVE it! I know it's not a "Sten Ed" brief book, and it's not 100% conflict-free, but HEAVEN forbid your writing isn't 100% conflict-free! I don't even think that's possible! I just love how the book gives briefs on pretty much every word imaginable, and they're easy to remember AND easy on the fingers! So I've been adding words to my rolodex of briefs so I can quiz myself every day, and I also add them to my personal dictionary on case catalyst.
When I talk about this book having way easier briefs than the Sten Ed dictionary, I will give you this example:
The word "perform." With the Sten Ed way it's P-FRPL or you can do it in two strokes. With the Brief Encounters book it gives you this option: PORM. EASY to remember and WAY easier on the fingers than trying to twist your fingers into the P-FRPL position!
So it works for me. I've always been pretty good about remembering briefs -- especially if they're easy on the fingers.
So just throwing out that other option to any of you that are reading this that are in the Sten Ed theory!!!
--Alyson
Friday, June 4, 2010
It's been a while!
Sorry I haven't posted something in what seems like forever! I have been on a 2 week break from school, and honestly I have only been on my machine, I think, like 4 times. BAD ME!!
But, I really needed a break since court reporting is an every day thing, and I think when you become burnt out, that's not good! You need some kinda days off! I recently got back from a 3-day Mexico cruise and it was so much fun! (Much needed, too.) :)
So anyway, I practiced last Wednesday (the 3rd) and I forgot to post a blog on what/how I practiced.
This is what my schedule was like for Wednesday:
Started off by looking at my rolodex of briefs (just started from the beginning) and stroked those out several times each for about 45 minutes, and added what didn't translate into my personal dictionary.
Then I worked on some dictation material that the court reporting director uploaded onto my laptop. One of the exercises was phrases that ended in dashes (in a Q/A format) which was dictated at a nice easy pace of 120wpm. I went through that about 4 times. That was a good exercise! And I think you can get it on www.courtreportinghelp.com.
After that I worked on stroking out addresses which was dictated at 100wpm. I worked on accuracy.
Then I finished with a 180 literary dictation for about 30 minutes. I didn't type for very long it seemed like, and I honestly kind of jumped around in my exercises that day. Not too sure if that's the right thing to do, but I'm trying to work every session like this: brush up on briefs, work on accuracy, and push. (At LEAST get those 3 components in).
--Alyson
But, I really needed a break since court reporting is an every day thing, and I think when you become burnt out, that's not good! You need some kinda days off! I recently got back from a 3-day Mexico cruise and it was so much fun! (Much needed, too.) :)
So anyway, I practiced last Wednesday (the 3rd) and I forgot to post a blog on what/how I practiced.
This is what my schedule was like for Wednesday:
Started off by looking at my rolodex of briefs (just started from the beginning) and stroked those out several times each for about 45 minutes, and added what didn't translate into my personal dictionary.
Then I worked on some dictation material that the court reporting director uploaded onto my laptop. One of the exercises was phrases that ended in dashes (in a Q/A format) which was dictated at a nice easy pace of 120wpm. I went through that about 4 times. That was a good exercise! And I think you can get it on www.courtreportinghelp.com.
After that I worked on stroking out addresses which was dictated at 100wpm. I worked on accuracy.
Then I finished with a 180 literary dictation for about 30 minutes. I didn't type for very long it seemed like, and I honestly kind of jumped around in my exercises that day. Not too sure if that's the right thing to do, but I'm trying to work every session like this: brush up on briefs, work on accuracy, and push. (At LEAST get those 3 components in).
--Alyson
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