ugh, I need personal advice

shellydiane820 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ugh-need-personal-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a6f9588a-c449-4425-8160-29b91e004f16Post:59da6a11-a654-4ac6-afc9-da921dc2c66e">Re: ugh, I need personal advice</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: ugh, I need personal advice : Oh I didn't mean to imply that you didn't have any type of decree, just that you wouldn't have your certification in steno.
Posted by angiebear11[/QUOTE]

Oh no :) You're fine!

ricksang · June 2010

I totally understand about burn out and I have wanted to quit school sooo many times. 2 times this summer alone!

Will you be happy without this degree? Is this a dream of yours?

JoyTate1 · June 2010

Personally, I would take the full time job. From what you are saying A) you will probably have a good year or more left at school

you plan on starting a family within the next five and will quit anyway C) When you quit to start a family you will probably have to go through some speeds again even if you do get your degree. So to me, I would take a break and work full time Then start a family and go back when they are in school.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ugh-need-personal-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a6f9588a-c449-4425-8160-29b91e004f16Post:fe31772c-0333-4162-b677-73a1568dad12">Re: ugh, I need personal advice</a>:
[QUOTE]Shelly, what is the likelihood that you won't be able to do it? I'm not trying to be mean, but you seem to be really struggling. If you can't do it, will it be an issue of trying and not being successful? Also, do you practice at home to try and make it better or avoid it like the plague? Can you dedicate more time to steno practice?
Posted by Night_Sprite[/QUOTE]

I don't know. That's what I'm worried about right now, can I do this? I do practice a lot. After class, I practice for about two hours, and then about 45 minutes at home. I'm going to be honest, this past quarter I've been slacking with the practice bc I'm just so fed up.

quotequeen · June 2010

It sounds to me like you don't like the court reporting, and even if you passed the test you still wouldn't like actually doing it. If you are otherwise decently happy with your job and you aren't planning to work after you have kids anyway, I would just drop the court reporting.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ugh-need-personal-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a6f9588a-c449-4425-8160-29b91e004f16Post:15b67a6e-179b-49b9-9979-2c2ea32de6e0">Re: ugh, I need personal advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I totally understand about burn out and I have wanted to quit school sooo many times. 2 times this summer alone! Will you be happy without this degree? Is this a dream of yours?
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

This sounds pathetic but I don't know that I've ever had a "dream job" in mind. I just sort of looked for practicality.

thesuninherhead · June 2010

It's in his interest for you to finish so you'll be in a better financial position... is there any chance that you could lower your hours further, given your employer is already thinking of hiring someone to supplement your position, and you can focus on the degree?

ricksang · June 2010

Seriously Shelly you have invested too much time to quit. Can you take a school break?

shellydiane820 · June 2010

Sun- I'm afraid to ask. I've only been there since Oct. and I felt like I was asking a lot to become part time after 3 months as it is.

Ang-- I don't know about a break. I'm just scared of a break bc of the losing speed, and if I don't lose speed, it would prolong everything.

ricksang · June 2010

Okay well here is what I think after reading your comment about this not being your dream job-

Take a break, however long that may be. I don't think it is worth all the stress you are putting on yourself. Work for awhile and maybe research some things and see if there is something that you would love.

ricksang · June 2010

I couldn't imagine having to work and go to school because I have never had to do it, so I may not give the best advice :P

shellydiane820 · June 2010

All right. I can do that

Nick just got in, I'm going to go bug him with my dilemma. I really appreciate all the advice. Its helped a lot! Thank you! Thank you!

thesuninherhead · June 2010

I think it will prolong things more to push yourself when your heart's not in it than it will to take a break and lose some speed.

LP11509 · June 2010

I don't have any better advice than has already been given, but if it makes you feel any better...I had CART in college, and the woman that typed for me told me it took her 6 1/2 years to finish her program. So it's really not as uncommon as you think for people to extend beyond the "normal" finishing time.

AlexiaANDRobert · June 2010

Good luck!

ricksang · June 2010

GL Shelly. Update!

princesscz · June 2010

Shelley, I know you're gone, but here's a little variation on the theme that I thought of. Could you take six months off of school and use the extra time (the time you're not at work) to practice? That way you could go at your own pace and not have the pressure of school to deal with. It would also give you a bit of a break and maybe you'd feel refreshed after your break and be able to work more quickly through your last speeds. I would also take a vacation in there somewhere, without your steno machine and try to de-stress.

aggiebug · June 2010

my thoughts are:

how often do you have to get recertified if you are active? what if you do not use this degree for an extended period of time?

If you have kids and aren't working for several years where is that going to put you with this career? how slow are you going to be? and what is it going to take for you to be able to do your job again? If you are going to have to recertify then I would just drop out for now and complete certification when you are ready to enter the career field again.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

First off, I want to thank everyone again. I really appreciate the advice. Its so helpful.

I finished talking to Nick and here's what the plan will be.

He would hate to see me quit, he knows me well and knows I might be happy about it now, but later I'll regret it. He has noticed I haven't been on my machine as much.

I'm going to continue school through the fall and see what happens. He's going to help me stay on my machine more at home. If there isn't a significant improvement, we'll go from there, talk about me quitting my job and focusing on only school.

Again, thank you! thank you! I appreciate everyone listening to my whining and confusion!

Kristin&eric · June 2010

I know you are frustrated and what to stop but you alreasy put this much time into it I say go for it!! You can do it!!!

amtroyer · June 2010

I'm way late here, but I just want to say that this fascinates me. I never knew how fast court reporters typed or how they learned to go so fast, and I just think it's a fascinating skill, so be proud of yourself because I could NEVER do that!

Good luck!

karenwjackm · June 2010

You shouldn't feel bad for saying that. I can totally understand, your skill is use it or lose it, and you aren't improving because you can't totally commit yourself to it. So it's like this, you HAVE to either totally commit right now and kick ass (which I totally think you could do) and then you'll be done and who cares about burn out when you're done, right? Or you quit without the intent to return to it later, because as you've stated, if you even take a break right now, your speed will decrease and you'll be back where you are getting burnt out once you return to it. Give yourself a time limit, like if you can't get the cert within a year, you just have to accept that its not going to happen.
BTW, I once dropped out of college 2 months from graduation. Went back after 2 years off in a totally different field of study, and found my passion. A good book for you would be, "Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow."
Good luck.

brookelynpaisley · June 2010

I love you Shel, but that's far too long. The answer is purple

Sing2phins · June 2010

Sounds like you have a good plan in mind, so I won't repeat what others have said.

I just wanted to tell you that I started law school after losing my hearing, and my first year, I had a court reporter come to every class with me, and she typed what the professors said and it popped up on her computer in front of me in practically real time. Second year, she left to have a baby, and the school couldn't find ANYone in the area to take her place (so I know you guys are in demand), so we went with remote CART (the captioner was in Topeka and I was in NY) for my last two years, which totally blew my mind.

I really would not have done as well in school as I did without my captioners, and I was constantly amazed at how fast and accurate they were. It's a hugely valuable service for a lot of people, and I think it's great that you're working towards this.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ugh-need-personal-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a6f9588a-c449-4425-8160-29b91e004f16Post:9f330ac9-1d65-4a63-9382-ab29bbf1bef0">Re: ugh, I need personal advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I think part of the reason I'm frustrated is I transcribed a test after work and I thought I passed it. I missed it by about 80 words. I'm tempted at the end of the quarter (2nd week of August) if I don't pass anything to bring up to Nick again about me not working. I just don't want to press too hard, ya know? I feel sort of bad because he pays for everything now (except above mentioned) and I don't want to sound like a snob, or ungrateful but I don't see a big deal of me not working while in school, because I know he can afford to take care of us. (God I feel like an ass even saying that)
Posted by shellydiane820[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Seriously, Shelley, I feel the same way you do. But the difference is, if I really wanted to quit my job and go to school full time, my FI would let me. We could afford our bills, just not a lot of extras. I'd just rather work for now and pay off my car and pay off my debt. But this is an issue where you guys really need to get on the same page. I mean, you're thinking of quitting something you've invested 5 years in because he is making this hard for you. Unnecessarily, IMO.</div>

mmealy · June 2010

I would stick it out. I graduated this past May and it took me 5 years to get my degree. Even though I had to stick it out (I'm the "bread-winner" btwn the two of us), I would have been extremely disappointed in myself had I not finished.

By finishing, you'll never have to hassle again with school if you choose not too. It also won't feel like impending doom.

These are my feelings but I know that you'll make the right choice for yourself. Good luck in whatever you choose!

stellabbella129 · June 2010

If you do broach the conversation about quitting your job to finish school with your husband, I would suggest setting a goal timeline and clear direction if that timeline is not met. So, "If I haven't made it to such-and-such speed by such-and-such month then I will go back to work." I'm not sure (aside from the paycheck) what H's concerns are, but having clear expectations may make it easier for him to swallow.

Good luck! This is a tough call.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

Stella, that's a good idea.

I think that's part of his fear, how long will he be the only income? That's a lot of stress. Especially in today's economy. He has a good job, and I don't think its going anywhere, but I guess you never know, do you?

parker624 · June 2010

I skimmed through the posts, but I am curious as to how difficult it will be to get to 225 wpm and 95% accuracy from where you are now. What is it going to take from you to make it to that point? And, after you get state certified, will you have to do yearly follow ups, etc.?

I'm a lawyer and work with court reporters all the time. I always wonder how they do it, it is really boring sitting in a deposition for 8 hours and not having any clue what the case is about.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ugh-need-personal-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:a6f9588a-c449-4425-8160-29b91e004f16Post:f3cd1b01-56e5-4919-a486-e8c50f02bd5a">Re: ugh, I need personal advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I skimmed through the posts, but I am curious as to how difficult it will be to get to 225 wpm and 95% accuracy from where you are now. What is it going to take from you to make it to that point? And, after you get state certified, will you have to do yearly follow ups, etc.? I'm a lawyer and work with court reporters all the time. I always wonder how they do it, it is really boring sitting in a deposition for 8 hours and not having any clue what the case is about.
Posted by parker624[/QUOTE]

That's the thing, I'm not entirely sure how long it will take me.

After the state certification, you go to conferences (I think you have to go every other year?) and get credits to keep up your certification. Once you take the speed test, you're done. Unless you want to get additional certifications.

The 225 test prepares you for the worst. No one talks that fast for 5 minutes. Someone might talk that long for a minute or so, and then they pause. I would compare that speed to an auctioneer speaking for 5 minutes straight.

ugh, I need personal advice

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