General Discussions

What to Do When You Are Ready to Scream (at Linda Andrews)

What to Do When You Are Ready to Scream (at Linda Andrews)

by Linda Andrews -
Number of replies: 2

Occasionally you'll hit a really tough part of your course and you'll want to have a mini-meltdown.

1. Send an e-mail with your question(s) and then keep moving forward with the next thing.  Review the guidelines still one more time. Read them out loud. Even type them out. You may have an 'aha!' moment.

2. Get your calendar and make a note 3 weeks from today. Let's pretend, for the sake of our discussion, that your mini-meltdown is related to MENTAL DISORDERS or NEOPLASMS (for coding students) and LABORATORY REPORTS (for medical transcription students).   Your note should say something like, "If I am still having trouble with [insert topic of mini-meltdown], send more follow-up questions to my instructor and explain that I've had this problem for 3 weeks now and it's still bothering me."  Even put a frowny face on there if it helps.  Then, move forward with the next thing.

Most of the time when I ask students how they are doing on those horrible problems, they say, "What problem? I'm not having any problem."  I remind them, "The problem with Neoplasms."   They usually say, "Oh that!  Something just 'clicked' and I'm not having a problem with it now.

Also remember that you are learning at the professional level, the level that experienced coders are at on the job, not the introductory level taught in most courses. That means that it IS difficult, but it's worth doing.

Try the calendar technique.  Why? Once you've written the note, that energy you were wasting on how to respond to that problem is now released so you can move forward in a more productive way. You can wait and take action in 3 weeks if it's still a problem. You don't have to lose sleep about it. 

Re: What to Do When You Are Ready to Scream (at Linda Andrews)

by Glenda Hickman -

You can also call me up at the office in these cases!  I may not be able to help much with the specific topic you're having trouble with, but in many cases I can at least help you get your thoughts in order to be able to send that email with questions for your instructor, or I can give a pep talk if that's what you're needing instead.  As long as you aren't actually screaming on the phone, I'm happy to play sounding board and/or cheerleader for you!

**If you can't get hold of me on the phone, I promise I'm not avoiding you - I'm probably just already on the line with someone else, answering questions or providing assistance.  Send me an email to let me know you're trying to get hold of me, and I can either arrange a meeting by phone with you where you're guaranteed my time or get back to you as soon as I'm available again, whichever you prefer.

Re: What to Do When You Are Ready to Scream (at Linda Andrews)

by Linda Andrews -

Also remember that our courses teach at the professional level, the level required to pass credentials exams, the level required to pass employment tests.  That means it HAS to be difficult, but it is certainly do-able if you power through the hard parts.  Our courses are definitely not  wimpy old "Introduction to" courses. We're teaching marketable skills, not just handing you a fish, but teaching you how to fish. We'll keep working with you as long as you are working with us toward that goal.