I just started studying and I work full-time, and volunteer at a hospital every Sunday. I don’t know how to deal with it. Any tips? I just started with Becker, and AUD is my first.
The only advice I could really give you is don't schedule the exam until you feel that you are prepared (or a couple of weeks before you think you'll be prepared because the testing slots fill up quickly). You might also want to give up your volunteer services until your done with the exam in order to give yourself more study time. This exam is a time commitment and if you put in the time you will do fine.
Work 50 + hours a week, one grad class per semester, 2 kids and studying. It can be done. I have (had?) the Wileybooks on my iPod. Listen at work, fall asleep listening to them, and while commuting. Read during kids play practices, cheering practices and lacrosse games. Homework for school after my kids go to bed (at least my youngest). Brought the book to my sons high school graduation to read until they called his name. Read at lunch time. Went to Disney, read on the plane both ways.
Last Oct-nov I also worked 18 hours/ week @ kohl's for Christmas money while my husband was out of work. Possibly why I failed 2 but maybe not.
If you want it badly enough you will do whatever it takes. Eye on the prize and all that stuff.
Yeah, ummmm…..If all you have on your plate is a full time job and some volunteer hours, consider yourself very lucky because you have way more time on your hands than most of the rest of us on here. You see mIa's story two posts above this? That is a demanding schedule. There are many of us on here who have similar schedules. With hard work and dedication, we will get through this. Just do your best to take advantage of the times you are not working to get some studying done. I also use Becker and I think it is great. Just keep plugging through the lectures and do as many MCQ as you can in between lectures or at times when you only have like 15 minutes to study. You should get the Wiley online test bank too. It's 40% off on this site right now. Just bang out as many MCQ as you can. Good luck.
haha yea, if you have time to volunteer, sounds like you have some free time in your hands. Motivation would be key here, so that you can be efficient when you only have a few hours to study.
B - (4/2012)
A - (5/2012)
R - (1/2012) Done!
F - (10/2011) Done!
I agree with T-Rex, Volunteer work needs to go asap. If you don't stop it soon, it will take you a very very short amount of time to realize you need that day for this. Studying for these exams is a big commitment and you need to be willing to put in the time. Good luck on your journey, we'll all be here for you to vent to!
You need to make the commitment, and set a schedule that you will stick to. Be realistic, but don't stretch it out over too long. Read Jeff's story about the plan he used when he finally succeeded with the exam. The biggest hurdle is making the mental commitment and sticking to it even when you don't want to. I wasn't working, but I studied an insane number of hours each day to meet my schedule. My husband was supportive, and I gave up everything else. You'll be amazed at how much time you can find if you take advantage of small chunks of time. Also, you can listen to recordings you make of stuff that you need to memorize (e.g. the standard unqualified report) when driving. Take your notes, flashcards, or text with you at all times so you don't waste a minute. Good luck.
I work on public accounting, finishing my MBA (including the thesis), part of the board of directors of the PR CPA society (weekly reunions after work and weekend seminars), and married to a very demanding wife. Basically I have ZERO free time as any spare time has to be devoted to my thesis. When I was studying for the CPA exam I had all of those besides the state society. It can be done but it's a struggle to have any balance when so many things get crammed up.
ROACH – that's pretty much what I ended up doing! Early studying in the morning, and then maybe some MCQs after work, and didn't feel guilty if I watched a little TV afterwards. And TV during those twilight hours tend to be pretty lousy too. I also had a washer/dryer at my disposal, so I'd get laundry done early in the mornings too.
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