[Anonymous]

Folks I am struggling…and I have to ask…

Is it normal to feel… OVERWHELMED?

LOST IN THE MATERIAL?

DISCOURAGED?

FRUSTRATED?

CONFUSED?

Is it normal to wonder…WHAT I HAVE GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

WHY I’M PUTTING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY THROUGH THIS?

IS IT ALL WORTH IT?

I’m not a needy person and if this is completely normal, than I won’t make that appointment with the psychologist…LOL. I just need to know if I’m the only one that has been hit with these waves of questions, doubts, concerns…

[NYCaccountant]

I find myself going through similar emotions right up til the point I sit in that chair at Prometric. Just relax, it's going to be fine. I would agree it's a very stresful process, but it's worth it. No better feeling than success, I can promise you that much.

FAR - 93
REG - 87
BEC - 84!!!!
AUD - 99!!!!!! CPA exam complete.

[Not a Quitter]

In my experience all of these emotions are normal. Plus what everyone else has said!

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Not a Quitter]

In my experience all of these emotions are normal. Plus what everyone else has said!

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[gt5717b]

I have one good beer* every night during tax season. Taxes are year-round, right?

*Good beer = craft beer and not something you typically find at a tailgate

Actually, I used to have a beer while I studied for the CPA exams; just one of course. Much like, bowling, billiards, darts and putt putt, a beer or two can greatly relieve the nerves and increase your focus over a short period (disclaimer: this is not scientific but based on personal, anecdotal evidence). However, beware that you don't overdo it as one too many can have the exact opposite effect.

Back to the OP, yes, this is totally normal.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[gt5717b]

I have one good beer* every night during tax season. Taxes are year-round, right?

*Good beer = craft beer and not something you typically find at a tailgate

Actually, I used to have a beer while I studied for the CPA exams; just one of course. Much like, bowling, billiards, darts and putt putt, a beer or two can greatly relieve the nerves and increase your focus over a short period (disclaimer: this is not scientific but based on personal, anecdotal evidence). However, beware that you don't overdo it as one too many can have the exact opposite effect.

Back to the OP, yes, this is totally normal.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[How many letters do you need]

First exam as well and just starting to feel the pressure recently. The feeling of having time to plug the holes is gone. Just under 3 weeks to exam day and not feeling as prepared as I'd hoped at this point. Still…The only option is to keep working at it and if it's not enough work harder.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

First exam as well and just starting to feel the pressure recently. The feeling of having time to plug the holes is gone. Just under 3 weeks to exam day and not feeling as prepared as I'd hoped at this point. Still…The only option is to keep working at it and if it's not enough work harder.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[san4596]

gt5 – carft beer all the way. Don't give me the watered down crap. You are right that taxes are year-round, but February through April suck balls. That is what I/most consider tax season. I also second your theory on the fact that concentration can be enhanced by 1 drink. To many makes you go down hill.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

gt5 – carft beer all the way. Don't give me the watered down crap. You are right that taxes are year-round, but February through April suck balls. That is what I/most consider tax season. I also second your theory on the fact that concentration can be enhanced by 1 drink. To many makes you go down hill.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[CarrieM]

<< if this is completely normal, than I won't make that appointment with the psychologist…LOL>>

I know you said this as a joke, but let me toss this out here. Making an appointment to seek the guidance of a mental health professional can absolutely help you in this situation. They aren't only for when you feel as though the ship has sunk, the house is on fire and you're being swept away by a tsunami. 🙂 They also can help you (and often BETTER help you) to learn some techniques for dealing with your stress when the stress isn't so awful that you're threatening to run away and join the circus.

Several years ago my marriage and personal life crashed in such a way that it made a train wreck look preferable. The “blessing” if you want to call it that in my situation was that it was so horrendously awful, it really took away the question of “should I see a therapist?” because the answer was a big resounding “Well, DUHHH!!!” LOL!!

And fortunately I was smart enough to get me and my kids in therapy right away. it did not diminish what happened to us. but what it did do was immediately teach me the tools I needed to get us through it all and allow me to start using them right away, instead of floundering around for months on end until I finally did get help.

I'm finishing up with grad school right now and I'm beginning my prep to take FAR in August. Because I know me and because I know the impact this will all have on my family, I' have already reached out and have an appointment to see someone so I can refresh my “deal with extreme stress skills” and use the guidance of a professional to come up with a plan that keeps me sane while studying, working full-time and being a single mom to a tween and a newly minted freshman in HS.

So… think about it. 🙂 It helps.

FAR: 5/12/16... and if I don't die from an anxiety attack...
AUD: 7/8/16
REG: 8/25/16
BEC: 11/3/16

[CarrieM]

<< if this is completely normal, than I won't make that appointment with the psychologist…LOL>>

I know you said this as a joke, but let me toss this out here. Making an appointment to seek the guidance of a mental health professional can absolutely help you in this situation. They aren't only for when you feel as though the ship has sunk, the house is on fire and you're being swept away by a tsunami. 🙂 They also can help you (and often BETTER help you) to learn some techniques for dealing with your stress when the stress isn't so awful that you're threatening to run away and join the circus.

Several years ago my marriage and personal life crashed in such a way that it made a train wreck look preferable. The “blessing” if you want to call it that in my situation was that it was so horrendously awful, it really took away the question of “should I see a therapist?” because the answer was a big resounding “Well, DUHHH!!!” LOL!!

And fortunately I was smart enough to get me and my kids in therapy right away. it did not diminish what happened to us. but what it did do was immediately teach me the tools I needed to get us through it all and allow me to start using them right away, instead of floundering around for months on end until I finally did get help.

I'm finishing up with grad school right now and I'm beginning my prep to take FAR in August. Because I know me and because I know the impact this will all have on my family, I' have already reached out and have an appointment to see someone so I can refresh my “deal with extreme stress skills” and use the guidance of a professional to come up with a plan that keeps me sane while studying, working full-time and being a single mom to a tween and a newly minted freshman in HS.

So… think about it. 🙂 It helps.

FAR: 5/12/16... and if I don't die from an anxiety attack...
AUD: 7/8/16
REG: 8/25/16
BEC: 11/3/16

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the club! Everything you are feeling is perfectly normal. But I'm gonna throw in my .02 worth here, you won't pass unless you add ‘MAD AS HELL?' to your list.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the club! Everything you are feeling is perfectly normal. But I'm gonna throw in my .02 worth here, you won't pass unless you add ‘MAD AS HELL?' to your list.

[Struggle_Bus]

Sounds like you're burnt out man.

Take a day or two off from studying and then jump back into it.

[Struggle_Bus]

Sounds like you're burnt out man.

Take a day or two off from studying and then jump back into it.

[Author]

Replies