[FinnishWeirdo]

Hi guys! It’s been a while. I realize that this is a rather paltry problem compared to most test-takers, but I seem to be having a bit of trouble with my friends as I journey through this exam. It seems that most of them either get offended that I can’t hang out/change plans due to wanting to study (for REG, currently), or talk to me less, thereby making me wonder, “Do they just think I’m a boring loser now?!” I know that this isn’t rational, as I’m working towards something that is unbelievably important, but I worry that I’m going to lose friends over an exam, and that’s not healthy.

How do you tell your friends that you love them, but that you are just going to kind of be out-of-commission for a while – and have them actually understand?

Why was there bacon in the soap?!

BEC 4/19/2013: 79 - the "easiest" one doesn't mess around lol
AUD 11/13/12: 90...NOT SURE IF SRS
REG 2/11/13: 87!!!!! LOLWUT!!>???!?
FAR 8/18/12: 81 MOFOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (srsly thought I failed lolol)

Passed all 4 on the first try using Roger, NINJA Notes for FAR, and NINJA Audio for REG & BEC.

[Anonymous]

If they're your friends they would be able to understand what you're going through and support you all the way. I turned down my friends a million times this past month because I'm currently studying for FAR. Hell I just turned down one a few minutes ago because I was studying. I really don't care what they think because I can always see them when my life is stable. They should be able to understand.

[MCLKT]

The reactions of friends, family and significant others will really vary based on age, maturity, experience, and their love/support for you.

First, if they are distancing themselves but haven't outright told you something to the effect of “hey, I don't want to be your friend because you're boring”, then don't assume they think as much. They are probably too busy caught up in their own life to be bothered with your exam. Or, they are respecting your request for alone time to study. Either way, you don't have the time or energy while studying to speculate what they think of you. Just focus and do you.

Now, if they ARE telling you, basically, “you are boring, and I don't want to be your friend”. Bid them well and wave goodbye 🙂 That's not the actions of a true friend.

If your true friends or family members are telling you that it feels like the exam is more important to you than they are. You just have to explain the demands and the rewards, the est. timeline, your goals etc. And just ask them to bear with you and please be supportive as you make short term sacrifices for long term gain. Most people can relate to that and will respect it.

My hermit lifestyle increases with each fail. I've missed holidays and birthdays. Parties and concerts. Weekends out and the list goes on and on. The only feedback I have received is “we understand, you go girl”. Of course, I better start passing because at this point it hardly seems worth it. I don't feel threatened I will lose friends over the test. But I've seriously questioned how much more of my life I'm willing to lose in order to call myself a CPA.

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

[FinnishWeirdo]

@CPA1FRESH haha, I feel better now, thank you! 🙂

and @MCLKT…words of wisdom! I appreciate it. And I know you will pass! 😀

Why was there bacon in the soap?!

BEC 4/19/2013: 79 - the "easiest" one doesn't mess around lol
AUD 11/13/12: 90...NOT SURE IF SRS
REG 2/11/13: 87!!!!! LOLWUT!!>???!?
FAR 8/18/12: 81 MOFOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (srsly thought I failed lolol)

Passed all 4 on the first try using Roger, NINJA Notes for FAR, and NINJA Audio for REG & BEC.

[Anonymous]

If friends are going to get upset with you for spending your time on something so important, maybe they're not the best friends to have in your life. Real friends would listen when you tell them how important this exam is, and how much time it requires – not get mad at you for skipping events to study.

[Anonymous]

I left a very social lifestyle in pursuit of the CPA exam and felt the same way. In fact, it got to a point where my facebook friends list is now half of what it was a year ago.

Truth of the matter is that it stings like hell when “friends” disappear like that, but the few that remain supportive are that much more meaningful, and without going through this experience, you may never find out your real friends 🙂

[mla1169]

If there are people in your life who can't support you 100% while you're studying for these exams, they've got no business in your life at all.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[nolifecpa]

Friends? What are those?

Forget them, you have to get new friends after you become a cpa, friends that are cpa worthy. Lol!

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[FlipACoin]

Selfish friends suck. Now that everybody mentions it, the CPA is a great weed tool! Seriously, if any of my friends get all hurt because I'm striving to achieve a personal goal, so be it! The last thing any of us need is more pressure piled on top of passing these freaking exams by thinking that we lose all of our friends if we don't pass or give up soon.

[FlipACoin]

Ooops.. Duplicate.

[Anonymous]

@mla sums it up best – “If there are people in your life who can't support you 100% while you're studying for these exams, they've got no business in your life at all.”

If these people aren't cheering you on while taking your exam then they should not be in your life anymore. I have had countless times where I have called someone an hour before I was supposed to meet them somewhere to say “i cant make it, I'm not as far through my materials as I need to be”. You know where their response always is? Something along the lines of “good luck! pass it this time around so we can hang out sooner rather than later”. Thats the type of person that is a true friend.

[samdiegoCPA]

I have a million friends/acquaintances and it is the hardest thing to say no, but I've learned to do it for the most part. If I am on schedule and not moving around things on my Excel study spreadsheet, then I will say yes. If I am behind, there is no way I will see anyone. This is helpful for me cus I have motivation to actually study and get through the homework because I know I get a reward out of it sometimes.

Most people don't know the difficulty of the exam, most don't even know there is more than 1 part, and most don't understand you have to study for more than one week, so I wouldn't say they are bad people/shouldn't be your friend if they don't understand you dropping out of their life for a bit. Once I show people my books and say I have to know and understand EVERY WORD, then they seem to get it more.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[wobrie4]

I agree with samdiego 100%. You have to stay disciplined, but you have to reward yourself for staying disciplined.

On My Way to a CPA...

FAR- 83 (12/02/12) (Try #1...by some miracle)
BEC- 80 (2/23/13) (Try #1... by some miracle)
AUD- 77 (05/04/13) (Try #1... by some miracle)
REG- 79 (08/03/13)(Try #1... by some miracle)

[smp73]

*bump*

I have adopted the hermit lifestyle for this next (and hopefully last) go around with REG. I have tried to explain to *friends* why I am doing what I am doing and boy can I tell who my real friends are. Disappointing to learn that someone you thought was a good friend cant even respect the fact that you are working your butt off to try and get a CPA. It's not like I want to be studying all the time but I know I need to be so I can be done and not let this exam take up any more of my life.

Sigh…you find out who your friends are…

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Anonymous]

“If you are absent during my struggle, don't expect to be present during my success.” Will Smith

[smp73]

SO true Kricket. Just a little frustrating/disappointing but you're exactly right!

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Author]

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