By Amy Galkin
Throughout my court reporting journey, I have frequently turned to the Encouraging Court Reporting Students Facebook group to help me navigate school. When I transitioned into speedbuilding, I lacked confidence in my grasp of theory. Although I completed my theory program with good grades, I struggled to apply the theory concepts quickly enough to meet the demands of speedbuilding tests.
Getting out of theory
I came across a post from Vanessa Johns in this Facebook group where she mentioned having a theory review group. I reached out to her for more details and began attending the group almost daily. Vanessa’s approach emphasized mastering overall theory concepts rather than getting bogged down by every individual brief. In this group we discuss theory concepts, redefine briefs to suit our preferences, exchange effective tips, and have built lasting friendships. Occasionally we also work on other practice areas such as finger spelling and number drills. This consistent practice has significantly improved my writing, and I don’t know how I could have transitioned from theory to speedbuilding as smoothly without it.
Broadway!
Another group that caught my attention in Encouraging Court Reporting Students was Steno Satd, created by Mars Amory. This informal, fun group meets on Saturday nights to engage in finger drills and tackle random dictations ranging from O.J. Simpson transcripts to Broadway musicals and Pamela Anderson newsletters —you never know what to expect! The session concludes with music, making it a unique and enjoyable experience.
Community and accountability
My family is very supportive of my court reporting ambitions, but as a mother of a young child I find it difficult to dedicate time to practicing on weekends. Mars’ group gives me a structured commitment, making it easier to carve out time for practice, and sometimes Steno Satd is the only practice I get on Saturdays. Through this group, I have also connected with more students, exchanged briefs across different theories, and benefited from the WhatsApp group chat Mars created, which serves as a valuable platform for students to get together and chat about our experiences going through school.
A classmate invited me to an exit speeds practice group while I was working on passing 160 wpm. I was likely one of the slower students there, but the group was still welcoming. I have participated in various practice sessions and learned new strategies for increasing my speed, which I incorporate into my own routine. Many members are preparing for certification exams, and I find it particularly helpful to connect with students who are in a position I hope to reach soon.
Start your own group!
Seeing the benefits of these practice groups, I felt inspired to create my own. While studying for the RPR WKT, I formed a study group where my friends and I reviewed potential exam topics. The diverse perspectives in the group were incredibly useful — we learned from one another. Some members were former teachers, others had experience working for court reporting agencies or in courtrooms, and a few had medical backgrounds. Even those without such experience contributed valuable insights from their own knowledge. My own input often came from my love of John Grisham legal thrillers, though I sometimes misremembered legal terms! I am proud to say that every member of my RPR WKT study group passed on the first attempt.
Vanessa Johns and Chris DeGrazio created the Steno Study Buddies Facebook group as a platform for finding practice groups. I decided to start my own dictation practice group, initially doubting that anyone would join since my best practice time is quite late, after my son goes to bed (and I live in California). I was also worried that the speeds I need to practice might not suit others. To my surprise my study sessions have a decent turnout! Hosting these sessions helps me stay disciplined and productive. Even when no one joins, the possibility that someone might show up keeps me accountable and motivated to practice consistently.
Practice groups have been instrumental in my court reporting education. They have helped me strengthen my foundation in theory, refine my practice techniques, prepare for written knowledge tests, and build my speed. Collaborating with students from various theories and programs has provided valuable insights beyond what I learned in school. Moreover, I have developed lasting friendships that I hope will evolve into professional connections as we all become court reporters together. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to join a study group — or start one yourself!
Amy Galkin is a 180 wpm student attending Allison Hall Reporting Education. She lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and two cats. In her spare time she enjoys listening to John Grisham legal thrillers. She can be reached at amy.galkin@gmail.com.
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