[Anonymous]

When I studied for FAR and AUD, I would study 3 hours a day on the weekdays and 4 hours a day on the weekends. That comes out to about 23 hours a week. That study method was successful and I passed those. But then when I continued that same routine for REG, it didn’t work and I failed miserably. Since I already started studying for BEC before getting my results, I decided to continue on with that and study for REG again after I take BEC on Oct 23rd. After my experience with REG, I don’t want to fail BEC, so I’ve decided to increase the amount of hours I study per day. Since last week, I’ve been studying 4 hours a night on the weekdays and 6 hours a day on the weekends. That comes out to about 32 hours a week. I started this new study habit a week ago and I’m dead tired from it. I’m barely getting sleep now and today, I am just dead. I almost couldn’t get up this morning and I’m struggling to stay away here at work. I can barely keep my eyes half open right now.

I really don’t mind putting in all these extra hours of study, but my body can’t take it. And I need to work hard as possible if I want to pass these tests. What should I do? Is this a sign that I should go back to my shorter 23 hours a week study habit due to my body giving up??

[Megan]

Yeah, I'd slow your study schedule down. Push off BEC to where your schedule isn't as strenuous on you (November), then take REG in January.

And yeah, it's miserable and exhausting, but if only the 8 hour job is in your way, 3-4 hours a day shouldn't be hard. If I can do it with my 2 small kids (including a baby who has to be fed in the middle of the night), you can too!

BEC 52, 61, 74, 77
AUD 80
REG 75
FAR 50, 60, 70, 74, 83...DONE!!
..Texas.. Baby #2 born 4/11/11

[Minimorty]

@mla – lol. CPAMan just likes the attention. 😛

[jomarie]

@Megan – I'm right with you.

@CPA Man – I'm studying right now 3-4 hours a day. With 2 small kids (One's 7 and the younger one is 16 months). I'm also working full time, drive 45 minutes to and from work everyday and my husband is working out of town so he doesn't come home during the week.

If I can do it so can you!!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

Ok, I'll see if I can continue to study 4 hours a night. If other people can do it, I should be able to.

BTW- Anyone know where I can get Red Bull for discount? Just kidding! But hey, I may need it. You never know. 😀

[Minimorty]

There is no way I could study for 4 hours a night. I probably get 2-2.5 hours a day of studying in. Diet Coke is my drug of choice.

[Anonymous]

Drink Go Girl!. Ok, so i know you're probably not a girl @CPAMan, but Go Girl! has just as much caffeine as redbull, plus vitamins and taste way better! And they now have a blackberry pomegranite flavor that comes in a black can, so you dont have to stand in the checkout line with a cart full of bright pink cans. (they have a dragonfruit flavor that comes in a blue can too.)

[Anonymous]

@Minimorty- Really? With your amazing scores, I would've thought you were studying like crazy. You must be really smart!! 🙂

[Skippy1997]

Only suggesstion I can give is just be aware of your retention as you are studying long hours. I had multiple times where I was on hour 4 or 5 on a weekday and just kept telling myself “Lets just get one more part out of the way” until I realized I was not retaining anything anymore at that time of night. I just closed the book and went to bed with dreams of Olinto and Gearty still buzzing in my head…

AUD - 05/27/11 - 81
FAR - 07/05/11 - 83
REG - 08/06/11 - 91
BEC - 08/29/11 - 87
Ethics - 95

[kandisjoy]

@CPAMan – He's a smart-ass, does that count? 😉

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

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Minimorty]

There just arent enough hours in the day. I refuse to study if either of my kids are awake. So between work and family, I manage to squeeze in a little studying time at lunch and maybe two hours each night if I have the energy. And while I appreciate the compliment, my scores are definitely not amazing. lol. Passing? yes. Amazing? Noooooo.

[Minimorty]

lol Kandis! It should count for something.

[mla1169]

FWIW, your body does adapt to whatever conditions you subject it to. If you've only just beefed up your studying in the last 2 weeks or so, you can expect longer to adjust.

I've burnt the candle at both ends so long now, that I will fall apart once I finish my masters and finish this exam. And yes, my family is counting down the days because I am not “entirely” pleasant right now.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jomarie]

@CPAMan – Now when I say 3 – 4 hours a day, it's not in a continuous time. I follow Jeff's ELL Plan. I found that helps tremulously. At most I probably study 2 to 2 1/2 hours at a sitting. In the morning (before my kids get up), I study for about 1 hour, 1 hour during lunch at work, and 2 to 2 1/2 hours after my kids are in bed. If I'm to tired to do that I'll skip the morning and sleep in a bit.

Maybe try to break it up during the day.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

@cpaman…it doesn't matter how many hours you study, it's the knowledge you learned from those hours of studying. Please don't burn yourself out. If you body and mind are so tired, it's time for a break. Treat yourself a night of no studying or fewer hours of study, your body will reward you with energy that enables you to learn the concepts better after a good night sleep or a break. Otherwise, you are just reading the book, you are not learning.

[misanthrope87]

CPA Man, peoples bodies have different needs. Some people can function on only 5-6 hours of sleep but that's not everyone. Do what your body can do. A body has its own limits. Try cutting back an hour on the weekdays and do more intense studying on weekends. Must give up your social life but what can you do.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Author]

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