[Anonymous]

I have been “studying” for the BEC portion of the exam since November of last year and I do great and do a great job sticking to my study planner but then it seems as though life kicks me in the face (i.e. one of my two kids gets sick or wont sleep through the night or I get slammed at work, etc) How do you stay motivated to stay on track when LIFE gets in the way?!?!

[smp73]

I've tried to keep my eyes on the prize, so to speak. Easier said than done at times. I have also told myself that I would do something “special” for myself after each exam – so if there was something I really wanted or someplace I really wanted to go I would not let myself get it or go there until after the exam.

Also, I did not give myself a ton of time to study (two months max) for each exam. Knowing I only have x number of days until the exam is a good motivator.

Sometimes life gets in the way but you have to try your best to work through it and know that it will be worth it in the end.

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[mla1169]

Can I ask why you're studying 4-5 months for one section of the exam? That seems far too long and it isn't surprising you've lost your motivation.

I understand you've got kids and a crazy hectic schedule, but your brain just won't retain that much information for that long a period of time. I'd do 12 weeks TOPS (and for what its worth I did this with 2 kids, a full time job, and finishing up my masters degree, so I do understand your situation).

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[syllo2012]

This week marks 2 months since I started studying for FAR. I originally planned on taking my test April 1st, then 3 weeks ago thought I wasn't going to be prepared and changed it to April 15th. I wish I hadn't since now I just feel tired and have no motivation to study. I agree with the other posts, study 2 months tops. I still have 3 weeks to go and dreading it. I CAN'T see another lecture. I am sick and tired of MCQs and I CAN'T listen to Jeff's voice anymore (no offense Jeff). But then again, I CAN'T stop because I have come this far and can't risk forgetting something crucial in the exam. So here I am, pounding MCQs and reading the Ninja notes until I puke (literally).

FAR - 04/15/13 70 - 07/02/13 79!!!
AUD - 08/19/13 84 🙂
REG - 10/14/13
BEC - 11/29/13

Using Becker

[neika822]

I HATE Tim Gearty now. I will just sit there and make fun of him through the whole lecture. I used to not mind him that much in Reg, but now I'm in Audit and he instructs the whole lecture. This whole highlighting AND underlining thing is ridiculous.

Oh, and I'm also losing my motivation. I was doing really well on Saturday, but this past Sunday I just sat and watched my boyfriend play Assassin's Creed for several hours (more than several, but I don't want to admit this). How sad is that??

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[Gonna be a CPA]

Same goes for me..Just waited weekends very badly..Just lacks motivation..I just wanna be a CPA this year but that little spark is very badly needed…

BEC-73

REG- 67, 72, 4/10

FAR- ??

AUD- ??

Using Becker and Wiley Test Bank

[syllo2012]

@Neika822, I totally understand! It is amazing how we now want to do things we hated before just because studying for the CPA exam is torturous at times..lol..I find myself watching sports with my boyfriend…and I hate sports!

It is nice to know I am not alone 🙂

FAR - 04/15/13 70 - 07/02/13 79!!!
AUD - 08/19/13 84 🙂
REG - 10/14/13
BEC - 11/29/13

Using Becker

[neika822]

I was just in another thread, and was suggested to try the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of studying, 5 minutes of a break, and after 4 cycles of these, you get a 15 minute break). I'm on my 5 minute break now. It seems to be working! I downloaded a free iPhone app to keep me on track.

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[Anonymous]

I got up at 4:30 every morning for 6 weeks, Sunday – Saturday, to study for that last rematch with FAR. I use my phone as my alarm clock and every time I was tempted to hit the snooze, I would see the #73. That's a tough train to get hit by. I also used the song “Life Starts Now” by Three Days Grace as the music I woke up to. But I got up and studied until 7:00 when it was time to get ready for work. I still have post it notes everywhere to remind me of those two back to back 73's. My husband asked me last week why there was a yellow piece of paper taped to the TV remote with the number 73 on it. But the 85 was worth every minute! Of course, now I can't sleep past 4:30 and I wake up without the alarm clock and can't go back to sleep. But I'm sure I'll knock that out of my system soon enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIJ1S3BrwH4

[neika822]

I wish I had that motivation in the morning, @Kricket! My alarm goes off at 5:15… then 5:30… then 5:45. And then I just give up and set it for 6:30, which is even later than I'd normally get up, haha. I've been doing a tad bit better getting up at 5:30. Every time I try to edge it closer to 5 it never works. I do better in the morning tho, without interruptions.

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[LT-P]

During my time studying for REG, I developed extreme anxiety that manifested into painful tension headaches. Once I found out I passed, I kind of checked out of studying – which caused me to have to push back my next exams by an entire month. I lost total confidence in myself while going over the 1st three sections of BEC with Becker (Corp Governance, Strategic Planning, Cost Acctng). I'm hoping someone out there has a few words of encouragement because I don't see how I can pick myself back up from this in order to finish BEC.

Thank you.

- passed all 4 exams on my first try using Becker!

Ethics: TBD

[Anonymous]

Almostthere22, I posted a response to your same message on the BEC string for April/May.

Also, agree with Krickett, if you have a family, the best way to get started studying is waking up early and pounding out some constructive studying a few hours before work. A few hours each day you'll be sure to get through some material each day. Then what I've been doing and a week to 10 days before the exam, take the time off of work and power through all of the areas that you are struggling with and keep taking practice tests. I write-out all of the missed question's concepts and answers and then do more multiple choice in the areas I am week and, then take another progress test. Then take a Final test in Becker and see how you do. Again, write out the answers and concepts for the questions missed. Keep doing multiple choices in the areas you are week, take more progress tests and take the other final exam.

This has been my process and I have passed the first time with FAR, AUD and REG all with Becker. Used NINJA audio for REG, also. Really recommend the NINJA audio for REG!

[Mel]

Kricket, thanks for that song, i think i'll be stealing it for my alarm since i need to get up at 4:30 to study. I'm going to try putting my 73 for REG up around me so i can be more motivated. Thanks for the other suggetions

[Author]

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