[rvcpa]

Does everyone rewrite their notes? How many times? And do you find it to be beneficial? I got an 69 on my FAR retake and I am hammering out MCQ’s and understanding why they are wrong, understanding JE’s and rewritting the ninja notes.

[fsugirl2005]

Re-writing notes is not effective for me. If you study the notes you're writing while studying and understand them, you shouldn't have to re-write them. It saves a lot of time and keeps you from getting frustrated. But then, that's just me.

REG - 78
FAR - 79
AUD - 76
BEC - 75

I have been on this journey off and on for over 10 years. I think it's about time that I wrap this up.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[Anonymous]

I have never rewritten notes but I am willing to try this strategy out this time and hopefully get my first pass. That said, I am scheduled to sit for FAR on April 3rd (19 more days of study). Is now the right time to start re-writing the notes? I am planning to re-write some of mine and mainly Jeff's notes. I am thinking of spending about 45 minutes a day re-writing the notes and the rest of the time 3-4 hours on MCQ's. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I have never rewritten notes but I am willing to try this strategy out this time and hopefully get my first pass. That said, I am scheduled to sit for FAR on April 3rd (19 more days of study). Is now the right time to start re-writing the notes? I am planning to re-write some of mine and mainly Jeff's notes. I am thinking of spending about 45 minutes a day re-writing the notes and the rest of the time 3-4 hours on MCQ's. Thoughts?

[Jordan23cc]

@Cracked I think you have enough time. I only had about two weeks to get ready for BEC, and I was able to rewrite all of my notes, watch all the Becker videos, and do the homework. It may take you a while and you may develop carpel tunnel, but I think it's worth it.

For FAR, it might not be as bad note wise. When I rewrote my notes, I was able to skip some stuff due to my familiarity with the material. My biggest advice for FAR is to make sure you rewrite the journal entries and formulas (e.g. Percentage completed contract method). Journal entries for every chapter are important to know! Trust me!

F - 2/15/2014 - 85
B - 2/26/2014 - 88
R - 4/1/2014 - 83
A - 4/21/2014 - 95

Licensed CPA in TX

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[Jordan23cc]

@Cracked I think you have enough time. I only had about two weeks to get ready for BEC, and I was able to rewrite all of my notes, watch all the Becker videos, and do the homework. It may take you a while and you may develop carpel tunnel, but I think it's worth it.

For FAR, it might not be as bad note wise. When I rewrote my notes, I was able to skip some stuff due to my familiarity with the material. My biggest advice for FAR is to make sure you rewrite the journal entries and formulas (e.g. Percentage completed contract method). Journal entries for every chapter are important to know! Trust me!

F - 2/15/2014 - 85
B - 2/26/2014 - 88
R - 4/1/2014 - 83
A - 4/21/2014 - 95

Licensed CPA in TX

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[zieba]

Rewriting didn't work that well for me. I write fast, and I write sloppy. In the end I had a notebook full of squiggles. What I did was switch to listening to the notes in my car via Ninja Audio. Every day, twice a day.

Since time is a finite resource, I used the time which was previously devoted to writing and rewriting notes, to hit more Wiley WTB MCQ's.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

Rewriting didn't work that well for me. I write fast, and I write sloppy. In the end I had a notebook full of squiggles. What I did was switch to listening to the notes in my car via Ninja Audio. Every day, twice a day.

Since time is a finite resource, I used the time which was previously devoted to writing and rewriting notes, to hit more Wiley WTB MCQ's.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Tncincy]

I think the rewriting the notes are a benefit, because as I continue to study, the notes kind of summarize. It is so easy to get in to the “everything” is important. They notes really provide the chance to really narrow down the information.

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

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

[Tncincy]

I think the rewriting the notes are a benefit, because as I continue to study, the notes kind of summarize. It is so easy to get in to the “everything” is important. They notes really provide the chance to really narrow down the information.

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

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

[CarrieM]

For me, rewriting notes works when I am learning because that's the kind of learner I am. I am currently 2 classes away form my MSA and while in class, I find I retain material much better if I am taking notes or doing some kind of writing. I just finished my Business Law class with a high B (I missed an A because I turned in an assignment late and only received half credit). I never took a note for that class, nor did I study, but during every lecture, I knit. And because my hands were busy, my brain was engaged and focused and I retained the majority of the lectures.

For me and the way that I personally learn, my hands need to be busy. I figured this out years ago in a Business Management class – I would take pages of notes and then after class, re-write and condense them. Then just before the test, I would review them and walk away with an A on the test. Same thing when I was in high school (back in the dark ages) My Spanish class was just after my gym class and one of my classmates was in the locker next to me. We would have a daily 10 point vocab quiz and every day, I would ask her wht the vocab words were while changing from the gym uniform into our street clothes. That quick 10 minute review was all I ever needed to ace the quizzes. i thought it was hearing the words right before the quiz (and that may have been a part of it) but I came to realize that it was the action of changing my clothes that “aligned my brain” for lack of a better term and unlocked the doors to hearing, understanding and retaining what I was hearing.

I think your best study strategy is to think back on the classes which were most successful for you and ask yourself, what was it that made this easy to learn. Then use that to define your study style. I know for me, just sitting and watching a video will not work when I begin my CPA prep. I'll need to make some notes on the presentation of the material (or knit while watching video and listening to audio) and then rewrite notes.

as long as I have already rambled, I'll add this – I was discussing this with one of my psych profs (I have a minor in psychology) and said I that this didn't seem to work for me when I took notes on my computer like I did when I wrote them. He said he often heard that same comment, especially from not-traditional students like me, and encouraged me to “go old school” on my note-taking since I found it more effective. I will still occasionally type up notes but for the initial note taking, I've found that writing them out longhand is still the best.

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]

For me, rewriting notes works when I am learning because that's the kind of learner I am. I am currently 2 classes away form my MSA and while in class, I find I retain material much better if I am taking notes or doing some kind of writing. I just finished my Business Law class with a high B (I missed an A because I turned in an assignment late and only received half credit). I never took a note for that class, nor did I study, but during every lecture, I knit. And because my hands were busy, my brain was engaged and focused and I retained the majority of the lectures.

For me and the way that I personally learn, my hands need to be busy. I figured this out years ago in a Business Management class – I would take pages of notes and then after class, re-write and condense them. Then just before the test, I would review them and walk away with an A on the test. Same thing when I was in high school (back in the dark ages) My Spanish class was just after my gym class and one of my classmates was in the locker next to me. We would have a daily 10 point vocab quiz and every day, I would ask her wht the vocab words were while changing from the gym uniform into our street clothes. That quick 10 minute review was all I ever needed to ace the quizzes. i thought it was hearing the words right before the quiz (and that may have been a part of it) but I came to realize that it was the action of changing my clothes that “aligned my brain” for lack of a better term and unlocked the doors to hearing, understanding and retaining what I was hearing.

I think your best study strategy is to think back on the classes which were most successful for you and ask yourself, what was it that made this easy to learn. Then use that to define your study style. I know for me, just sitting and watching a video will not work when I begin my CPA prep. I'll need to make some notes on the presentation of the material (or knit while watching video and listening to audio) and then rewrite notes.

as long as I have already rambled, I'll add this – I was discussing this with one of my psych profs (I have a minor in psychology) and said I that this didn't seem to work for me when I took notes on my computer like I did when I wrote them. He said he often heard that same comment, especially from not-traditional students like me, and encouraged me to “go old school” on my note-taking since I found it more effective. I will still occasionally type up notes but for the initial note taking, I've found that writing them out longhand is still the best.

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

[Author]

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