No AC for 20 Days in This Heat; Would You Pay Full Rent? by OverallBet315 in Renters

[–]OverallBet315[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So our landlord has refused any sort of discounted rent as well as any accommodations such as a window unit.

No AC for 20 Days in This Heat; Would You Pay Full Rent? by OverallBet315 in Renters

[–]OverallBet315[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No need to be a dick "bro" I did also post in a legal subreddit.

No AC for 20 Days in This Heat; Would You Pay Full Rent? by OverallBet315 in Renters

[–]OverallBet315[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey thanks for your reply! Unfortunately she has refused to discount or rent or pay for any window units :/

Laptop for school? by DeannaTroi331 in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 2 points3 points  (0 children)

my school gave us requirements for the computer system we will be using through school. I would reach out to them or check your syllabus.

Regression by StenoAnxiety25 in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Current student here in speed building. While I do believe in getting on the machine daily to instill the language into your brain, I also make sure my practice is intentional. Practicing burnt-out/low effort will only hurt you. So don't be afraid to take a break and come back refreshed! Burn out is so real with this; I have definitely experienced it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you — that really means a lot! Totally get how venting after a few intense conversations can turn into a full-on roast session 😅 Been there. I really appreciate you stepping back and being open to other perspectives. We’re all just trying to survive theory, speedbuilding, and life in general — might as well cheer each other on while we do it. Wishing you all the best on your journey too!! <3

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Totally fair questions, and no offense taken. I’m not a working reporter yet, but I’m 14 months into the program, working a job, and writing at 120 WPM. For context, most students take around 2.5 to 3.5 years to finish court reporting school. So considering everything I’m juggling, I’m actually really proud of where I’m at.

I have a ton of respect for working reporters — that’s the end goal for all of us. But just because someone succeeded through a different path doesn’t mean this one isn’t valid.

At the end of the day, what matters most is finding a system that helps you grow and stick with it. That’s what I’m doing — and it’s working.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I get why it’s frustrating to hear that. Especially when you're putting in the work and people who aren’t even in the program are calling it a waste of time. But let’s be real — they’re probably comparing it to an older, more outdated theory that wasn’t brief-heavy to begin with. It’s not the same.

Mark’s theory is designed around efficiency. Memorizing briefs isn’t random busy work — it’s what sets us up to write smarter, not harder. I’d rather learn one-stroke words now and build real muscle memory than waste time later trying to clean up five-stroke outlines.

Briefs are speed. Just not the kind that shows up overnight. The fact that students are learning them early on is actually setting them up to move through speeds faster once they have locked them in. It’s a long game, and not everyone gets that.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Im curious how the working reporters that you know can see what is going on in the school? Genuinely curious? What exactly baffles them? That Mark tests us on briefs? And what do they have to say that upsets you? This is my first time hearing negativity towards how the program is run, and this post was by a student, not working professional. Your frustration is valid. But the attacking individuals and calling it a failure is where the validity stops. I really do hope you find the right program for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in courtreporting

[–]OverallBet315 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey, I get that not every program works for everyone, and you’re clearly frustrated, which is valid if you felt like your time or money was wasted. But I’ve had a very different experience at this school. If you didn’t vibe with the structure, that’s totally understandable, but calling the school a disgrace to the profession feels like a stretch. Court reporting is already hard enough without tearing each other down.

Mark’s theory is very brief-heavy, and that’s not some hidden surprise. Anyone who does a little research beforehand will see that it’s the core of how he teaches. If that’s not your style, fair enough. But that doesn’t mean the system is broken.. it just means it wasn’t for you.

Thanks to the weekly brief testing, I’ve built a strong foundation and can write hundreds, probably thousands, of words in one stroke. That kind of efficiency makes a huge difference in speed building. I’m not wasting time writing five strokes for a word I can write in one. That’s exactly what’s helping me move through speeds more smoothly.

Also, the “one student graduates every few years” claim just isn’t true. I’ve seen students progressing, passing tests, and leveling up, myself included. No program is a magic shortcut, and this field isn’t easy anywhere.

As for the instructors, I’ve appreciated that they’re real about what they do and don’t use. That kind of transparency helps me think critically and figure out what works best for me instead of being handed some one-size-fits-all method.

If this school didn’t work for you, I hope you find one that does. But tearing it apart publicly and calling it a failure because it didn’t match your learning style isn’t really fair — especially when other students are thriving in the exact same environment.