[vlc1982]

I’m a single mother, so I have to study late at night after my daughter goes to sleep…usually from 9:00 – 11:00 pm. After a long day it’s so hard for me to 1) stay awake, and 2) stay focused. They are two separate issues. Sometimes I’m awake, but don’t feel like my brain is focused and open to learning/memorizing/understanding. I’m in a quiet, comfortable environment so it’s not like I’m being distracted by outside forces. And I try not to drink coffee because I want to be able to go right to sleep when I’m done. I put in a lot of quantity, but it’s not necessarily quality study time. I’m taking FAR for the second time and trying to figure out my problem. The first time, I didn’t take notes while watching video lectures. I’m taking detailed notes this time and that’s helping a little bit. But when I’m faced with a MCQ or SIM I don’t understand, I just mentally drift off and my brain doesn’t want to try to figure it out.

Also, I tried waking up early to study before work, but again found myself unable to stay awake. I suppose caffeine would help with that. I eat a good diet and get excercise when I can. I sleep great, and it’s usually 7 hours a night.

Does anyone have any good tips for staying awake and staying focused?

FAR 66, 80
AUD 86
REG 76
BEC 74, 77 - DONE!!

Yaeger, Ninja MCQ for BEC
TX Candidate

[Anonymous]

@SeattleAccountant – I know its not funny but for some reason your story of being chased by the bulldog made me lol just now. Maybe it's because we have this dorky bulldog across the hall from us in our apartment and I was thinking about him chasing you.

[MintsRGood]

Misery DOES love company and I swear after I take FAR on 8/8/13, I'm going to fat camp!!!! Ha! It's like the “freshman 15” all over again!!!! In all seriousness however I do plan on enlisting the help of a PT to kick my ass back into shape when these exams are finally done and over with! Yet another motivator to get this done!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[smp73]

To help with the staying awake and exercise. When you take your 5 minute breaks or a planned break….go jump rope! Or study while sitting on a stability ball…you have to stay “with it” to not fall off and it is good for you and you can study!

But seriously the jump rope break trick was fantastic. Really wakes you up!

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[zooyuka]

Pluck a nose hair every once in awhile.

BEC 71,77
REG 65,85
FAR 7/1/13
AUD 8/24/13

[SeattleAccountant]

@Adamdenton1

No problems, my whole family chuckles about it!

It's funny in retrospect, but it was nerve-wracking experience at the time of happening.

As I tried to outrun that beast (guys, please don't take offense, I'm a dog person and own/owned more than 1 dog), all i kept thinking of how the timing of possible plastic reconstruction surgery couldn't be worse and where can I find any heavy object to shoo it away. Now, couple that with the mistaken of it being a pitbull, I broke serious sweat that night :0

Looks like have to purchase some sound/light making device to scare away animals charging after me next time!

On a serious note, I'm back to coffee consumption until the test is completed. Something gotta give. Maybe we should have a thread on postexam issues and how to deal with them 😉

@Mints, sign me up for that camp as well!!! I'm slowly getting there, unfortunately.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[smp73]

@ Seattle there is a thread about post exam issues! (I think this officially makes me an A71 addict since I am referencing another thread)

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/alumni-ptsd

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[MintsRGood]

I wonder if such a thing called “fat camp” for kids still exists anymore or if called something much more PC like “weight loss camp” or “healthy lifestyles camp”, ha! Not to sound like an old lady, but I think people are too sensitive to be sent to a place called fat camp nowadays! I've put on 10 pounds since December and I feel like crap and have no energy…I'm for sure signing up for fat kid camp in August! 😉

@SMP73 I love the idea of jumping rope on breaks!!! Done!!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[MCLKT]

LOL @ zooyuka!

smp, actually, I added “replying to threads with links to other A71 threads” as a sign you know you are a CPA candidate when 🙂 So yes, you are an addict!

I'm in on the jump roping too!!! Mints had suggested this, and I just so happen to have a pretty pink handled rope on the ground near my treadmill. Score!

I refer to the weight as my “CPA 20” and will most def be signing up for Fat Camp. I think it's call Cross Fit nowadays 😉

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[vlc1982]

@MCLKT – I started using the Pomodoro Technique and it has blown my mind! I was able to study for 5 hours today and I swear it only felt like 1 hour. I didn't get tired at all. I stayed focused the whole time. It amazes me how well this has worked for me in terms of quality of study time. Thank you so much for the information!

I highly recommend this technique for people who get bored or tired easily or have trouble focusing on the material. Just stay disciplined enough to keep those breaks at 5 minutes, no longer. I also highly recommend taking very detailed notes. These two things have helped to improve my study quality immensely.

FAR 66, 80
AUD 86
REG 76
BEC 74, 77 - DONE!!

Yaeger, Ninja MCQ for BEC
TX Candidate

[DeniseFutureCPA]

I am a big fan of the Pomodoro technique too!!! The app store for Apple has a lot of versions to choose from, but I chose the simplest one. I love it! You stay refreshed, and I actually use the breaks to squeeze in house chores or to throw the ball to my labrador, Milo. 🙂

Also, Diet….Mountain….Dew….. ('nuff said!) 🙂

Best of luck to everyone!!!!

"Do not give up when you still have something to give... Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying."

Why I am studying for the CPA exam: First it was business...now it's personal!!!!! 🙂

[Author]

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