I'm a big believer in balance during the exam process. If one hour will make the difference between 74 and 75, then schedule the exam for a week later, which should be an extra 15-20 hours, and that's enough to enable you to have 2 hours off every week if you're studying 7.5-10 weeks, or if you're doing 20 hours a week for 5 weeks, that's enough for 4 hours off per week. (Not really that exact of math, since a week longer study routine would require extra review time – like 100 hours of study over 6 months is not nearly as effective as 100 hours over 1 month. 100 in 1 month is probably good for a pass for at least some of these exams; 100 in 6 months is good for a fail on almost any exam.)
So, I focused on avoiding time-wasters like Facebook (seriously, if you're going to spend 1 hr for “friend time”, an hour idly browsing Facebook is not a good way to do it! – I closed my Facebook account during this process, reopened it later and realized it wasn't worth it, so haven't gone back to it). But, I also focused on enjoying things that were valuable ways to relax and bond. Due to various life circumstances (moving etc.) I didn't have good friends locally during this process, but I'd make it a point to spend good quality time with my boyfriend, and I'd take time to talk to my family and friends who lived at a distance, and to do things with my boyfriend's family who lived locally. I studied a lot, but I also made sure that i was remembering to make time for the other important things in life. Balance is essential.
I think that people who never do anything besides work and study are likely not able to study as efficiently when they study do to their mind being worn out with it. Now, if that's what someone specifically needs in order to pass the exams, then more power to them. But, as a general advice, I'd avoid it, because most people do better with balance in their lives. (Of course, being accountants, we're in for a rough time trying to find jobs that really allow time for balance in life…)
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