[GoingToBeCPA87]

I have yet to embarked on my journey but am doing as much learning as I can about this exam so that I can best prepare myself for what is to come.

I have a full time job, a 19 month old, and have to use my time very diligently. I also only have enough finances to take each part once. With that being what methods have you used to stay focus? I am planning to use Jeff’s ELL to balance things but am worried about the lack of focus and the reality that if I fail one part I wont be able to take it for a while as cash flow is low at the moment.

Any help of feedback would be great appreciated.

FAR: April or May 2014
AUD:
REG:
BEC:
Scared: 100

FAR first and only attempt: 2014 Wiley textbook, 10 Pt Combo, and WTB

I only get one try to have to give it my all and try to get 75 on my first go around.

-The only thing that stands between you and what you want out of life is the will to try and the faith to believe it's possible.

[nataliamw]

all great advice above! I also treat my “free time” differently now (I actually have no free time, f/t job and two toddlers at home, no family to help out, just hubby and I). As far as focus – I made weekly goals and tried my best to stick to them. Sometimes the two little ones were so intense that I would use an excuse to go study just to be away for a bit (and I did study during those moments) so that helped, hah! If I knew I had a weekend event, I would try to study in advance, so that I could enjoy the event entirely and not worry about falling behind. I took the exam in the max window of 18 months because I needed so much time to prep for each section. What really kept me going was the fear of failing a section which the would spiral into a credit expiration, then regressing to just having one credit or two and then losing the whole thing altogether.

[nataliamw]

all great advice above! I also treat my “free time” differently now (I actually have no free time, f/t job and two toddlers at home, no family to help out, just hubby and I). As far as focus – I made weekly goals and tried my best to stick to them. Sometimes the two little ones were so intense that I would use an excuse to go study just to be away for a bit (and I did study during those moments) so that helped, hah! If I knew I had a weekend event, I would try to study in advance, so that I could enjoy the event entirely and not worry about falling behind. I took the exam in the max window of 18 months because I needed so much time to prep for each section. What really kept me going was the fear of failing a section which the would spiral into a credit expiration, then regressing to just having one credit or two and then losing the whole thing altogether.

[Gatorbates]

One thing I'd like to chime in on is the time of day you take the exam. I am NOT a morning person. I'm a total night owl. For some reason, I scheduled all my exams at 8:00 am so I wouldn't have to torture myself all day of the exam. I had my coffee and Chick-fil-A biscuit (normal routine) and went into the exam …. I still was a bit foggy/sleepy, even though I woke up 2-3 hours before my exam. My results: 78, 71, 73, 79, 74. When I took AUD, there were no 8 am time slots, so I figured I'd try a 5 pm slot. Woke up at a normal time … went to the library … did some LIGHT review …relaxed … got to Prometric an hour early … Took the exam and had an hour to spare (which freaked me out). I was amazed at how much clearer I could think. It was like night and day. I only studied for that section for 3 weeks and got an 83 (I'm a numbers guy, so audit was like pulling teeth.) Trying that method again this next time around. Just my two cents: If you're a morning person, take it in the morning. If your a night owl, take it late in the day. Your brain functions better and is used to it.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

One thing I'd like to chime in on is the time of day you take the exam. I am NOT a morning person. I'm a total night owl. For some reason, I scheduled all my exams at 8:00 am so I wouldn't have to torture myself all day of the exam. I had my coffee and Chick-fil-A biscuit (normal routine) and went into the exam …. I still was a bit foggy/sleepy, even though I woke up 2-3 hours before my exam. My results: 78, 71, 73, 79, 74. When I took AUD, there were no 8 am time slots, so I figured I'd try a 5 pm slot. Woke up at a normal time … went to the library … did some LIGHT review …relaxed … got to Prometric an hour early … Took the exam and had an hour to spare (which freaked me out). I was amazed at how much clearer I could think. It was like night and day. I only studied for that section for 3 weeks and got an 83 (I'm a numbers guy, so audit was like pulling teeth.) Trying that method again this next time around. Just my two cents: If you're a morning person, take it in the morning. If your a night owl, take it late in the day. Your brain functions better and is used to it.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Anonymous]

GoingToBeCPA87- My study methods to stay focused changed over the year it took me to finish the exams. The key is to find what works for you and your lifestyle. In the beginning, I studied at the library to avoid distractions. Other times, I dedicated a ‘distraction-free' area of the house. When I needed to change things up, a friend and I studied for REG at the same time and we met up once or twice a week. She held me accountable and we covered a lot of material, even though we sat silently across from one another to study.

The concept of studying (and passing) all four exams was overwhelming, so I set up a study plan to break the material into digestible periods of time. That way, I could completely focus on finishing whatever section/questions/videos/copying of Ninja notes that week, but I was still following a master plan. If work or family delayed my studying, I could make it up the next night without feeling like it was the end of the world (and you'll know what I mean once you get into this).

Someone said it above, but set up some sort of agreement with your significant other about study time. Some people spend every free minute studying while others compromise time with their family. Find the balance of work/life/studying that works for you and your family. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

GoingToBeCPA87- My study methods to stay focused changed over the year it took me to finish the exams. The key is to find what works for you and your lifestyle. In the beginning, I studied at the library to avoid distractions. Other times, I dedicated a ‘distraction-free' area of the house. When I needed to change things up, a friend and I studied for REG at the same time and we met up once or twice a week. She held me accountable and we covered a lot of material, even though we sat silently across from one another to study.

The concept of studying (and passing) all four exams was overwhelming, so I set up a study plan to break the material into digestible periods of time. That way, I could completely focus on finishing whatever section/questions/videos/copying of Ninja notes that week, but I was still following a master plan. If work or family delayed my studying, I could make it up the next night without feeling like it was the end of the world (and you'll know what I mean once you get into this).

Someone said it above, but set up some sort of agreement with your significant other about study time. Some people spend every free minute studying while others compromise time with their family. Find the balance of work/life/studying that works for you and your family. Good luck!

[GoingToBeCPA87]

@auslaf and @3Down1ToGo so it really seems like one of the most important things to do is really making a plan and sticking to it.

@nataliamw you have two toddlers and still went for it…I have to say I have been using my one toddler as my excuse but now he has to be my motivation.

Thanks to Jeff, I'll be using his ELL plan and when I start studying for FAR will be printing out 4 copies to place around my home so my family knows my study times. I am also going to buy a kitchen timer to constantly display how much time I have left this way I can make each minute of study time count. I don't want to be an individual that neglects their family due to studying every free minute (not that there is anything wrong with this, its just not for me)

FAR: April or May 2014
AUD:
REG:
BEC:
Scared: 100

FAR first and only attempt: 2014 Wiley textbook, 10 Pt Combo, and WTB

I only get one try to have to give it my all and try to get 75 on my first go around.

-The only thing that stands between you and what you want out of life is the will to try and the faith to believe it's possible.

[GoingToBeCPA87]

@auslaf and @3Down1ToGo so it really seems like one of the most important things to do is really making a plan and sticking to it.

@nataliamw you have two toddlers and still went for it…I have to say I have been using my one toddler as my excuse but now he has to be my motivation.

Thanks to Jeff, I'll be using his ELL plan and when I start studying for FAR will be printing out 4 copies to place around my home so my family knows my study times. I am also going to buy a kitchen timer to constantly display how much time I have left this way I can make each minute of study time count. I don't want to be an individual that neglects their family due to studying every free minute (not that there is anything wrong with this, its just not for me)

FAR: April or May 2014
AUD:
REG:
BEC:
Scared: 100

FAR first and only attempt: 2014 Wiley textbook, 10 Pt Combo, and WTB

I only get one try to have to give it my all and try to get 75 on my first go around.

-The only thing that stands between you and what you want out of life is the will to try and the faith to believe it's possible.

[Author]

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