[Ganbatte]

To those who have no current obligations (family, job, etc) besides studying for the CPA exam, what is your daily study schedule like? I graduated this May and start work in October; I have no obligations except for studying, yet I can’t even devote myself to that. I get up around noon usually and start to study after lunch but find myself checking emails, surfing the web, getting distracted, etc. and all of a sudden it’s late afternoon/early evening and I haven’t gotten any substantial studying done. It’s pretty pathetic. I’ve tried waking up several hours earlier to study but since I usually go to bed so late, my head’s groggy and I can’t focus. Sometimes I’m able to study for 2-3 hours without getting distracted but that’s not everyday…either way, I feel terrible because I have so much time now as a fresh grad compared to those who work, yet I’m not making the most of it. So I’d like to hear what your study schedules are like and perhaps how I can fix my own so I can have a more rigid schedule to stick to and force myself to study 🙁

7/14 FAR ☑
8/14 AUD ☑
10/14 REG ☑
1/15 BEC

[M.O.D.]

I break it into shifts: study in the morning, then take a break, then afternoon, then evening.

My mind gets overwhelmed after 2-3 hours and a break rests the mind.

So take frequent breaks but then get back to work.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Jsmith87]

Even when I devote an entire day to studying I usually only get 5-6 hours in. Normally I study one hour in the mornings before work and then two hours after work. I try to dedicate 8 hours or so for the weekends but that doesn't always work out.

It sounds like you just need a routine. To avoid distractions I like going to the school library and studying. If I'm out of the house, I find it easier to focus.

[ShelahV]

My best advice is to treat your studying as your job. Force yourself to get up at 7 am everyday, get dressed and ready for the day and plan to be somewhere by 8 am. I'm not a morning person AT ALL but for work I have to be there by 8 so I do it and sleep in a bit more on weekends. Whether it's a library or coffee shop or whereever. Also take periodic breaks (similar to how you would at work) Study for a couple hours, take a 15 minute break to check emails, go outside, etc, then study fo a couple more hours ad take a 30-45 minutes lunch break. Repeat in the afternoon and knock of about 5 pm or so and head home. Eat supper and do a few things like laundry, grocery shopping, dishes and thn study for another 2 hours or so. Do that Monday thru Friday but give yourself a night off. On the weekends try to get in about 6 or so hours of study time each day.

I work full time, have a part time job I work on some Saturdays (10-12 hours) and generally manage to do 2-3 (45 min each day at lunch) per day except Friday during the week and aim for 6-9 or more each day on the weekends but don't stress out if I need to take an extra night off or a weekend day off. I build a bit of that in to my study plan. I know that for me these occasional breaks are the best way for me to be able to stay on track.

You can do it, you just have to force yourself to do this for a few week and soon it will be habit! Good Luck!

BEC 8.14.14 - 87!
FAR 1.8.15 - 89!
REG 4.15.15 - 86!
AUD 7.2.15 - 90!

Application submitted 8.6.15
Licensed CPA 8.19.15

Benefit in living in a small state SD!

[Skynet]

I plan each day what I want to focus on. Then devote the time to it. I also take lots of breaks in between.

The second major thing is that I study angry. Thinking about how badly my last job ended pisses me off in a way that makes me study harder and longer. I always remind myself that once i am a cpa with a great job, i will go back to rub it in my previous employers faces.

[Anonymous]

I get up around 7:30 and begin studying at 9 and go to 4. I take a lunch around noon with short 5 minute breaks periodically throughout the day. I go for a run at 5 and eat dinner around 7. I spend about 2 hours watching TV in bed with my wife, sleep, and do it all over again. Been on this routine since May and have only 1 section left to go. It's all about routine and focusing when it's time to study.

[thechapman]

The best part about being fresh out of school and having a break before you start working is that you don't have any other obligations. On the flip side, the worst part is ALSO that you have no other obligations. It is completely different from work because you quite literally have no structure. What might help you that has helped me is that you have to remember…what you're trying to do right now will be MUCH more stressful/crappy when you are trying to do it on top of a full time job. You'll thank yourself later if you can sack up and get yourself on a schedule that allows you to get it knocked out.

You just have to accept that it's going to suck, and you might as well get something out of this free time rather than half-assing it. Once you get into the habit of getting things done, it gets easier to do and you don't really think about it as much.

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

I wish I had the ability to study all day long. I think the most important thing is to find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Personally, every Sunday night I flip to the next week in my planner and write out my plan for the week. Then each day, when I get to work, I make a to-do list for the day. It keeps me accountable and helps me to organize and plan because I have a lot to juggle between work and studying.

[Ganbatte]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful suggestions!! Studying in chunks with breaks in between sounds like a good plan (so far, my “breaks” have led me astray for a good hour or so…never realized how easily distracted I am >_>). Damn I really do lack discipline.

@JSmith87: good tip, I will try studying outside of my home and see if it's more effective, maybe I'm too comfortable at home…

@Skynet: LOL harness your anger…”Let your dissent fuel you, your anger inspire you, your rage convey you, and your fury strike a chilling fear onto the spines of your enemies.” How goes your CPA journey?

@CPA33: that's a great schedule, being able to fit it all in- study, exercise, chill…I shall try to follow in your path.

@thechapman: Totally true. Btw your schedule would've been perfect for me (I'm also planning the same sequence FARB)…my start date is 10/6 lol. When do you start?

7/14 FAR ☑
8/14 AUD ☑
10/14 REG ☑
1/15 BEC

[Author]

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