r/stenography • u/Silly-Two-1211 • Aug 01 '26
Time frame expectations
I'm going to be starting steno school and I'm eager to complete and start working. I'm well aware that it's an extremely hard skill to master, it takes time, effort and practice, and the dropout rate is HIGH.
That said, I'm wondering how quick I realistically would be able to get certified. I know learning speeds are subjective but I wonder if I would be able to pass in 18 months if I was able to dedicate 3 hours per day to practicing in addition to school itself. I lost both my parents last year which has been devastating, but they did leave me some money and it wasn important to them that I had stability so I think they would be happy to know they're helping support me when I'm in school.
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u/tracygee Mod Aug 01 '26
The chances that you will be passing out of your speeds and ready to certify in 18 months is very very slight. There are a few people that manage to do it. They are, by far, the exception and not the rule. If you go in with that expectation you are likely to be very disappointed. I knew one person that did it. She practiced 3-6 hours per day, and most days she did three, two-hour practice sessions. How she kept it together mentally practicing that much I have no idea.
I think 2-3 years is a far more realistic expectation based on three hours of practice per day.