[SponsoredByDunkinDonuts]

I’m burnt out. I’ve made the mistake of making some count downs. I have been studying for 137 days now, 17 until next exam, 96 days until I’m done for good (if everything goes to plan). I feel like all I do is study. And when I’m not studying, I feel guilty that I’m not studying. It’s a vicious circle. All I want to do is vent and complain about the CPA and I can sense that all my friends, family and significant other are tired of it.

Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice? Need to get out of this slump and regain some motivation…

AUD- 99 (11/26/2014)
BEC- 81 (1/12/2015)
REG- 85 (2/28/2015)
FAR- ?? (5/18/2015)

[Anonymous]

You're killing it! You have passed in two consecutive windows. Keep up the good work!

I want to add: I failed the first three times that I took the exam, in August, November 2013 and February 2014. I have a wife of 7 years and two young kids. I am finally passing and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. You'll go from complaining about studying so much, to feeling a lot smarter! And if your significant other can't take 4 months of this, it might be something to consider before marriage. This is a tough process no doubt but its only been 4 months. Be sure to read Jeff's blog about how to save your relationship. Take your significant other out on a date soon!

[Anonymous]

I know exactly what you're going through. I re-started my CPA journey in August and since then, I've bought a house, got engaged and transitioned to a new position at my company. I studied through the weeklong Christmas shutdown and opted not to go out and celebrate New Years. I've complained often to my fiancee, but I'm extremely lucky as she has been supportive. She frequently hides my PS4 games on the weekdays so that I spend time studying after work instead of shooting guys in Destiny.

I don't see many of my friends often and many of them leave me off invites for going out, parties etc. If I didn't pass FAR, I might have just given up, but I miraculously passed. The only thing that keeps me going is the support from my Family and fiancee. I visualize my name with the 3 magic letters after it and rationalize that it's all going to be worth it in the end. My old manager always told me to take the CPA – a few months of pain to ensure many years of success.

I'm just looking forward to the day when my certificate is mailed to me so that I can frame and hang it up my man-cave. 🙂

[SponsoredByDunkinDonuts]

@6silvermoonbeams @Club300 Glad to hear I'm not the only one who has struggled with this. I need to keep the end in mind. Sometimes I get so caught up that I forget how much I've already accomplished, and instead focus on how much more I have left.

I want to add that nobody has actually told me they are sick of me yet (haha) but sometimes when I complain to my boyfriend about things I'm struggling with or when I have post-test anxiety waiting for score release I can tell he is trying to be understanding but doesn't really get it. I guess I can't really expect him to either! It's just hard when I start to feel distant from my friends and family when they get to go on fun vacations on the weekends and I have to resist so that I can stay on track for my upcoming exam. But it will all be worth it when I pass and I never have to worry about this ever again in my life!!! I really just cannot wait.

AUD- 99 (11/26/2014)
BEC- 81 (1/12/2015)
REG- 85 (2/28/2015)
FAR- ?? (5/18/2015)

[Tncincy]

Do what you have to do…even if it is vent. So what they are tired, and you have to study if you're going to pass, so don't feel guilty about studying. Nobody will remember the ranting, venting, crying, hair pulling, door slamming and weight gain when you pass. So keep studying and venting……PASS.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Allergic2CPA]

@OP

You can come here and vent. You can write down your frustration and throw away the paper or delete the file or email.

Maybe I should create a hotline where CPA candidates and their families can call to vent.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[nicole2035]

easy. stop complaining. i don't even tell anyone i'm doing the CPA so no one is feeling sorry for me, and also so i don't get dumb comments. you'd be surprised how less miserable you'll feel if you stop putting your negative thoughts out into the world.

you're doing great, don't stop. your significant other doesn't care you're bettering yourself, they love you, you being better and satisfied with your career makes them happy, i promise. their beef is that you can't turn off the cpa talk. they wanna talk about fun things, not one sided convos about your stress. being with your family is and s/o should be de-stressing time. cherish it, and practice not complaining.

[Anonymous]

You're studying too hard. While it may feel like it sometimes, you don't need to know everything. You need to take some sanity time or you'll lose your shit. 137 straight days of studying isn't good for you by any measure.

The difference between a 75-80 and a 90+ is having some semblance of a life. I was able to pass all four exams in an 11 month period last year and I took off five of those 11 months to keep myself sane. This was while working full time and two of the exams were taken and passed during busy season.

Once you're trending 75% on MCQs, you're good.

[Determined CPA]

I can totally relate. I think the fact that you feel this way is a GOOD thing (hear me out!). You are a very dedicated, motivated and strong person. You know that you want to be a CPA! Many people don't take these exams as serious as you do and don't put in the energy and time to pass. You are the opposite. You are working hard! I also feel very guilty when I'm not studying and it ends up ruining my night. As far as your significant other goes, try date night. It's one night out of the week where you devote your time that other person. Knowing that you have that one night off from studying will make you work harder during the week/weekends and possibly get rid of the guilt. It will become part of your routine. I think you are on a good path and will be done with this test before you know it – and it will all be worth it.

I agree with Allergic2CPA, come to this site and vent as often as possible. You are not alone in any of this! I can promise you we will never get tired of hearing your frustrations because your frustrations are our frustrations, as well.

Best of luck to you!!

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[OnMyWay732]

I'm there with you. My wife knows the COA is important but doesn't understand the sacrifices that come along. It's not just studying and taking an exam. It's committing your life to these 4 exams and this license.

I've resorted to my friends. My wife doesn't want to hear complaining all the time, just like I wouldn't want to from her. Come here, get things off your chest. Dedicate a night to your other half, even if it means having to sacrifice a night of studying. I just recommend that not be within 3 weeks of the exam. Good luck.

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[Mamabear]

I got to the point where I stopped talking to people in real life about it because they didn't understand, didn't empathize, and didn't want to know why I couldn't do things. It bothered me in the beginning, but now that I am done I have no interest in rekindling any of those friendships because I feel like if people couldn't deal with me studying too much then they really weren't going to be there for me if anything extremely serious occurred. My husband was great and my parents were awesome watching our kids a lot, but aside from saying I was tired or stressed there wasn't much point in discussing it with them either. Come here, chat and vent and rant or whatever, but just try to spend time with those you care about without discussing the CPA. You'll beat your head against a wall searching for the reaction you want with people that don't know what it is like.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Author]

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