A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Personal Study Area - Bizzi One

Posted: Dec 23, 2011

I am getting ready to enroll this week with Andrews for medical coding, and am really looking forward to this new challenge and learning opportunity!! After 30 years as a state employee, I'm actually switching careers. With that being said, I was just interested to find out "where" people like to study in their homes when studying 4-5 hours a night and working assignments. Do you sit at a desk with the computer in front of you, or do you use the dining room table, a comfortable chair, or what? Also, when studying, how much time are you having to use the computer? I don't have a laptop, just a desktop computer, but am considering purchasing a laptop. Just am curious is all..... Thanks!

I think you're going to love it! - Owl

[ In Reply To ..]
As you can see from my moniker, I like to study late at night. Most of the time I work on a desktop computer, because it's a very organized work space. Occasionally I'll feel like working somewhere else in the house and I'll use the laptop, but not very often. I do much better if I use a real office environment with a planned schedule. Andrews will work with you to come up with a schedule or at least they have you post your goals and schedule to make sure you have a workable plan. I don't think you need a laptop unless you want one for some other reason in your life. You don't need one for the course.

Wherever you decide to study, I think you're going to love coding! I do.

love coding - owl - jan2

[ In Reply To ..]
Sounds like you studied at Andrews? Were you able to easily get a job afterwards, or did many places tell you that they required several years' experience? Thanks.

Also about to enroll... - Yes, me, too.

[ In Reply To ..]
and am terrified. With an aging mom and an aging friend, both of whom are increasingly relying on me to help them, a full-time job, and seemingly no spare time (no idea where the time goes!), I am so afraid I will not be able to keep up with studies. That is not going to stop me from trying, though. My dining table is rarely used for dining (just me here), so I am planning on using that. I like the portability of a laptop, so will be using that.

I wish you the best of luck, Bizzi One.

Advice - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
If you are terrified, you need to take measures to deal with what is terrifying you. Terror is going to freeze you up. You'll sit there unable to do anything at all.

It appears that you fear not having enough time. This is a normal fear. Time to get over it, though. :)

Don't imagine that you are the only student with this problem. EVERY student has this problem. In fact, students who do not work and have nothing else to do often do far worse than students who work full time and have family responsibilities. Why? Because the latter are highly motivated and MUST control their time in order to succeed.

Well, no one EVER has enough time for anything unless they plan for it. Without a schedule of specific things to do, nobody ever gets anything done. If you have 8 hours, an hour's worth of study will take 8 hours. If you have 30 minutes, you'll study like you have a fire under your chair and you'll get it done.

You have to identify and carve out blocks of study time every day. It doesn't have to be a lot of time, but you have to devote yourself to STUDY and GET THE WORK DONE during that time. Two hours a day x 6 days will give you 12 hours a week. That should be more than enough.

There is a key to getting the work done. If you just "try" to make headway, you will never reach the end. What does this mean? It means that if you schedule "Monday evening, study 2 hours," nothing will happen. NOTHING will happen because that is not scheduling -- it's optimism or good intentions. :) You need good intentions, but you need a schedule more.

Instead, spend an hour at the beginning of the week identifying what you need to do and how to do it. Break it into daily portions. Schedule those portions -- like "Read pages 11-14" and "do exercises 20-30" -- for specific times. If it takes you 10 minutes per page, then "7:00-7:40, read pages 11-14." If each coding question takes you 6 minutes, then "8:00-9:00 do exercises 20-30, aim for 6 minutes each."

If you treat your studies as a second job with regular working hours for which you have to show up on time, during which you cannot answer the phone, listen to radio, watch TV, or do anything other than devoting your full attention to the job, you'll be fine.

Make an appointment with yourself for every study session. Use an appointment calendar -- be serious about this.

Nearly everyone can manage 2 hours a day no matter what else is going on. Expect high performance from yourself.

Thanks, Coder. - Yes, me, too.

[ In Reply To ..]
Did you read the book "The Other 8 Hours?" I ask because the author recommends breaking down tasks and scheduling as you suggested. That is something I am determined to do. What terrifies me, besides worrying about having enough time--yes, it IS time to get over that ; ) --is change and the unknown. I have been an MT for 25 years and having to go in another direction at my age (48) is unnerving, but I know I have to be proactive about my future. For me, the anticipation is always the worst. All kinds of doubts and worst-case scenarios are in my head now, but once I get the materials, I will calm down and wonder why I was so anxious. It is just my nature. Thanks to helpful people like you and others who post here, I have the motivation to do this. I will keep your post on hand, though, in case I lose focus and need a pep talk.

Some of us are old enough to be your parents! - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
Since some of us are old enough to be your parents, we won't let you get away with using age as an excuse. You're very young. You'll do fine. The advice the poster before me gave about time management is excellent! You would do well to print it off and read it occasionally to make sure you are on track.

I can relate - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I am also 47 and looking to get out of MT. Have been an MT for 10 years now, working at home. I worry more about finding a job and working outside the house than I do completing the course. But that is why I come to this board, people here are helpful and encouraging, helping me to realize it's gonna be okay. Thanks to you too for sharing, helps to know I am not the only one changing careers by 50.

Another Young Whipper-Snapper! :) - My Opinion

[ In Reply To ..]
The best career change I've ever made in my life was at age 45. Now if I were 65 and thinking about starting a brand new career in a new field that requires education and training, I might think twice, because 65 is considered to be retirement age. That would be a hindrance when you start the job search. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, but I would consider it carefully past 65 or so. Employers would probably think you wouldn't stay with them very long because you would want to retire, which you probably would.

You are the perfect age for coding - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Instead of looking at this as a huge change, how about just seeing it as a wonderful new hobby? If you took up knitting would you feel stressed? Of course not. You would still want to do it well, but you would not feel a need to freak out about it.

When you get the materials, you are going to freak out, not relax. Code books are enough to make anyone run screaming for the door. They look far more intimidating than they are. All coding textbooks also begin with incomprehensible reams purporting to explain everything, but which you cannot grasp because you cannot code yet. You will read half a page and think you will hate it. I think that is when most would-be coders give up.

Keep this in mind when your materials arrive. Do not allow yourself to panic. The code book is quite simple to use and you will quickly figure that out. I recommend skimming over the first chapters in the textbook and just noting the TYPE of information there. When you need it, it will become clear. I am sure your instructor will tell you the same.

I see that I gave you good advice here. It applies to learning anything new. I am learning something new right now, as well. It has been terrifying me, too. It might be time for me to take my own advice! I just realized that I have been doing exactly what I told you not to do. Thank you for helping me see that!

I will check out that book. Thanks for mentioning it.

Computer time -- not much - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Andrews gives you textbooks and code books, so you'll need a table on which to spread those out while you study. It gets a little awkward if you try to do this in a chair or bed. You'll need good lighting, too, since code books have smallish print that is hard for older eyes to see.

Computer time won't be much -- just enough to send in your assignments and maybe google a disease or two. If you do not otherwise need a laptop, don't feel that you need to get one.

Computer time - Bizzi One

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks Coder...I always appreciate reading your posts and your helpful and encouraging advice. I'm about to turn 55, and starting this new career. Hopefully all will work out for me, as I intend to retire from my full time state job once I complete my medical coding with Andrews and obtain certification. With God's help and diretion I can then transition into a health career in coding. I am very excited! Again, thank you for your words of advice!

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