How long before you can reasonably say something is or is not doing anything?

Following this because I am in the same place and have no idea what to ask at the appointment.

Photograph everything before you open it. Ten seconds, settles most disputes. How long have you been on the United States?

What is the first thing you would read if you were starting from zero?

Sorry for the basic question, but how do you actually start one of these diaries?