Top 10 Things A Court Reporting Student Absolutely Must Do In Order To Get Out Of School
Recently I was asked by some court reporting students my advice on how to get out of court reporting school. The answer to that question is simple: Do Not Quit. But "don't quit" is not really enough; is it? Students want to get out of school with their sanity intact too. What good is a crazy court reporter out there? Thus was born Todd's Top 10 List below... Enjoy!
Number 10 - Strive For Accuracy
Are you focusing on speed instead of accuracy? Bad idea. Step 1 = Get accuracy. Step 2 = Get fast. Step 3 = Get CSR license!
Number 9 - Short Sentences
Are you punctuating using Todd's 100% guaranteed correct grammar rule? Use a period asap. Make short sentences. That's the rule. And even when the next sentence starts with "and."
Number 8 - Be Excellent Not Perfect
Are you attempting to have perfect notes? Nobody has ever achieved this feat. You won't either. Lose the perfectionism. Strive for excellence instead.
Number 7 - Show Up
Are you attending school every day? Remember: Playing hookey doesn't pay very well.
Number 6 - Do What You're Told
Are you following the school's curriculum? Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Blaze your own trail at your own peril!
Number 5 - Sweat The Small Stuff
Are you typing every single word in your notes? You should be! The word "the" is just as costly as "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis." (Yes, that is a real word. It is a lung disease.)
Number 4 - Consistency
Are you typing every test whether or not you feel you "got it" or not? Only do this if you want to get out of school quickly.
Number 3 - Back To Basics
Are you getting back to basics? In other words, are you constantly reviewing theory?
Number 2 - Read Your Notes
Are you reading your notes every day? If you were making consistent mistakes, how would you know?
Number 1 - Do Your Best Then Rest
Are you doing the best you can? If so, relax and have peace in that. If not, get crackin'!
If you are not currently attending a court reporting school, Todd Olivas & Associates recommends
Humphreys College in northern California.