[Anonymous]

I was just curious what other’s thoughts were on extracurricular activities while studying. I like to participate in sports because I feel like it gives my mind a break but keeps the competitiveness there 🙂 But, how about reading books? I would like to start some new books but I feel that if I should be reading something it should probably be my notes. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I would say reading is definitely ok. I read books for pleasure everyday for at least thirty minutes usually more like an hour. Really you can do whatever you want while you studying as long as you have enough time in the day to do your CPA studying.

[Peanut]

I gave up everything. To be quite honest. I'm a huge reader too. My thought process is, if I have 30 minutes to spare to read, I should be flipping through my flash cards or looking over notes. After I failed my first exam massively, that's when I realized everything had to go and any spare time needed to go to this exam process. Maybe other people are different, and they can juggle activities, events, and reading, but for me passing the exams is the most important thing at the moment!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[T-rex]

“…extracurricular activities while studying.” Haha haha haha haha haha haha heehee haha heehee hahaaaaaaaaaaaa!

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[jelly]

Just do something and don't feel guilty, b/c your brain needs a rest. A guilty brain at work or rest just makes for a lot of anxiety and misery.

Couldn't pass again!

[Minimorty]

lol T-rex. Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Yea I like to exercise too because it gives me a break and keeps me from getting burnt out. I also stay away from reading because I feel the same way, that if I'm going to be doing something intellectual it should have something to do with the most important exam of my life.

[mla1169]

Well SOMETHING has to give, and I'd say you certainly can keep up with reading and sports but you will sacrifice knowing who got kicked off the Bachelor, who's competing on DTWS, or who the worst Real Housewife is. You may find yourself missing social outings with your friends but if sports and reading are your priorities, thats a sacrifice you're willing to make.

Keep working the MCQ's, if you find yourself really struggling then give up the reading or miss a workout or 2. Its not bad when your extracurriculars are optional and you are not committed to them for the duration.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I gave up “everything” at first, and it actually was really helpful to start reading fiction again. Just a little bit on my train ride to/from work and before bed. Peanut is right though- everyone is different. I would say that the best thing to do is give yourself a study schedule to get through no matter what, and when you finish your self-assigned work for the day, you can read or watch a ballgame guilt free. In fairness, I will admit that the NBA playoffs derailed me pretty seriously.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, dont mean to sound mean but T-rex hit that one right on the head. :-))))

[Manderz]

Extracurricular activities can be dangerous, but don't rule it out!!! If you study the right way, and give yourself ample time to study (meaning in the long run as well as daily) it can actually help you. I prefer taking fitness classes at my gym because they only last 1 hour & I get a much better work out in than if I was working out on my own… yes, it is an hour you could have spent studying but if it will keep you sane, I say go for it!! Exercise allows you to take in more oxygen and gives you endorphins that you’re probably lacking while studying; it can put you in a better mindset to study and it ENERGIZES you so that you are able to study even LONGER than someone who doesn’t get any exercise while trying to study. If you are a marathon gym person (like 2-3 hours 5 days a week) I would say definitely cut that back!! But one hour a few times a week can be very beneficial to your studying! My doctor told me working out increases your metabolism, which can help you absorb more key nutrients like vitamin B-12 (which help you stay awake longer 🙂 )

As far as reading for pleasure, I give that up when I am studying because it personally makes me more tired and not want to read the book… but if it does the opposite for you, have at it!

GOOD LUCK!!! && Just remember what is most important to you if you start getting carried away

[kandisjoy]

I gave up reading because my eyes always hurt so much after studying and working at a computer all day. I gave up exercising too. I started roller derby when I thought I might be done with my exams last testing window (but I ended up failing REG). Part of me kind of wishes that I hadn't started it until i was SURE that I had passed all sections, because roller derby takes up a lot of my time (4 practices x 2 hours per week, plus if I have a bout it takes up my entire Friday night and Saturday typically). Plus all the fundraisers… like car washes on Sundays.

My advice is.. drop anything extracarricular if it's going to take a lot of time. If you can make it to the gym on a regular basis and get some cardio in, just to offset the snacking you're going to do while studying, then that's great. But be wary of making big time sink committments like I did.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[pacific1]

For me I gave up the reading as well, I agree with kandisjoy, my eyes get too tired from working and studying all day. I do still check out the Barnes and Noble website and add new books to my wish list so when I am done with this exam I will have a good long list of books to read. But as for the working out part I think that is still very important, I agree that you don't want to spend hours a day working out but an hour a day several times a week is good to clear the mind. I have also found I can study during that time if I want to, I just bring my notes or my book and read while on the eliptical trainer or treadmill so if you are really worried about wasting that hour just bring stuff to study at the same time.

[yankeeaccountant]

I have to agree with Peanut..I pretty much gave up everything. The only thing that I incorporated was exercise. I felt like I couldn't compromise on this one. It cleared my head, kept my spirits up, and was for my health!

I am a huge reader, but haven't read since I started this whole journey. Looking forward getting back to that.

Good luck

[T-rex]

I hate to admit this, but I'm not even joking when I say that the following tasks became my extracurricular activities:

Shaving my legs

Grocery shopping

Cleaning the house

Returning phone calls

Taking naps

Things like reading for pleasure, exercising, and social activities went out the window in no time at all. I'm a big believer in balance, and I'm usually pretty good at maintaining it, but I just couldn't manage to do so while studying.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[Anonymous]

T-Rex, the highlight of my weekend this weekend will be going to Costco. I hear what you're saying!! Aldo, laundry has become extracurricular lol.

[Author]

Replies