[Rocky123]

Anyone so stressed out by this exam that they can’t sleep? I have an exam credit expiring at the end of the year, so next testing window is make or break for me. One section left!!

Any advice on how to get better sleep? I run, eat right and take sleep meds already.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[y_u_no_pass]

My sleep has been disturbed for the first time in my life since I began studying for this exam. When I cant sleep I try to make myself dream and that usually works unless I don't feel tired at all. If that is the case sometimes it is better to just stay up a little later and read or study. Read some of the more dense materials. I also tried chamomile tea, which made me really tired while I was drinking it, but didn't last. At least it will be over soon and hopefully you will sleep better. I am hoping this next one is my last testing window, too.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[mla1169]

there's a great series of hypnosis/meditation videos on you tube that I listen to on my iphone while I'm trying to get to sleep. Definitely recommend Rob's Hypnosis-Binaural Beats.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I had this issue and sought help for it – I would suggest trying progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) while in bed getting ready to go to sleep. This basically entails tensing your different muscle groups and holding for 10 seconds or so, then releasing. It is a proven technique for sleep issues; there is ton's of info out there if you want to look into it.

[Anonymous]

Regular massages help for me. I will say sleep is important – AUD was the only exam I slept before and had a computer malfunction on exam day. If I would have had no sleep the night before, like I did with BEC and FAR, I probably would have cried on the spot from all the stress.

I was able to remain composed and somehow pulled a 92…. still not quite sure how that happened, but I'm going to say that being well rested didn't hurt.

[Guti]

Take 1/4 of Diphenhydramine HCI 25mg,which is tylenol PM without the extras.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[HeartsMimiCPA]

I take Melatonin , it seems to get the sleep party going, I also watch ASMR videos.

AUD - 65, 89!
REG - 70, 89!
FAR - 78!
BEC - 77!

Finally!
Experience 06/30/15
Ethics-Done

VA Licensed 09/15/15

[Anonymous]

When I can't sleep, I listen to CPA audio review material and set my audio player to turn off in 30 minutes. It's not relaxing but I think it's boring enough to make me fall asleep within 5-10 minutes.

[Mae]

I use to have a bad case of insomnia on and off for several years. My brain just couldn't shut off at night and it was the worst during stressful times. I tried a whole bunch of remedies including meditation, white noise CDs, counting, and sleeping aides. Tylenol PM ended up being my last resort on those 3 night runs.

Strangely, what flipped me around was when I ran a half marathon.

I was working on two hours of sleep in two days after a quarter close at work and I had just gotten back from a huge backpacking trip in Peru. I was physical, mentally and emotionally exhausted.

I ran 13.1 miles. And I beat my personal record. It was the best feeling in the world.

I remember sitting in my car after the race, thinking about how I wasn't able to sleep in those two days because I was so stressed out about my limitations. It seemed silly to worry when I was perfectly capable of overcoming them.

My sleeping habits improved dramatically after that. I haven't needed a sleeping pill in years.

It sounds cliché but ‘It is what it is’. You’re doing all you can and now you need to trust yourself enough to know that you are capable of doing this.

Something that also helped me: On those wide-awake-nights when there was no hope for sleep, I kept getting up or I would just stare at the ceiling. I did some research on insomnia and read somewhere that, even when you close your eyes and lay in bed, your body is getting more rest than you think. Reading that made me stop moving around and turned my ‘hopeless’ nights into ‘better than nothing’ nights.

AUD - PASSED MAR '15
REG - STUDYING SEP '16
FAR - PASSED MAY '16
BEC - PENDING JUL '16

[Rocky123]

Thanks, Mae.

I am capable of passing FAR. I'm doing everything I can right now and that does help. This section requires an IMMENSE amount of work. I haven't looked at most of this material since college 15 years ago. I'll get through it. One day at a time.

I take Ambien now and it helps, but I still wake up during the night. But at least I am rested enough to study the next day. I don't know how many study days I lost because I was too tired to study.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Mae]

Same here. I'm on my second time on the merry-go-round with FAR. I figured I had an advantage since financial statements is my job….. and then I realized that what I do is a drop within a drop for what is covered in FAR.

AUD - PASSED MAR '15
REG - STUDYING SEP '16
FAR - PASSED MAY '16
BEC - PENDING JUL '16

[Rocky123]

@Mae

You got that right. When is your retake?

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Mae]

I haven't submitted anything yet but I figure in Q1 '15.

AUD - PASSED MAR '15
REG - STUDYING SEP '16
FAR - PASSED MAY '16
BEC - PENDING JUL '16

[Anonymous]

Listening to sleeping music on youtube…will help you fall asleep instantly.

[Anonymous]

I've had terminal insomnia for much of the past several months. I can usually fall asleep with little problem, but I wake up long before I've had enough and can't go back to sleep. I thought it made sense: on top of how stressful the exams are, I only had one shot at passing REG to meet the Colorado rule change deadline or else go back to school for a year or two. After I finally took the test, I still couldn't sleep and I thought it was the stress of waiting for score release, with my entire career hinging on one unknown number. Score release greeted me at midnight with a wonderful passing score, yet I still couldn't sleep. I then assumed that once I get licensed, my stress would be gone and I'll be able to sleep, but I was wrong once again.

I've been licensed for a month now and I still can't sleep. I feel like it's my brain waking me up between 4-5, but I have hip pain which keeps me from falling back asleep (the painkillers wear off by morning, there is not a time release version, and I don't want to take anything stronger). However, on the weekends, I seem to sleep fine. Last Saturday I slept for about 13 hours PLUS I took an hour nap, and I usually can never nap unless I'm sick. I had to set the alarm Sunday just to make a noon reservation. However, as soon as Monday hits, my brain does not allow me to stay sleep. My family was visiting last week and I couldn't sleep those weekends either. I am the kind of person who needs at least 8-9 hours of sleep on a regular basis.

Someone mentioned massage… Spending even half an hour with my therapist (I see him often due to the hip issues) will make me feel as if I've slept 10 hours sometimes, and I'll be able to sleep uninterrupted for the next several nights. But I saw him twice in the last month and have not been able to sleep on weekdays.

I have a job interview today with a recruiter and I'm actually considering canceling it because of how bad I feel.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Sorry to hear about your lack of sleep.

It's kind of hard to really suggest anything since nobody knows your entire health situation.

I'd try to look in the mirror and really think about if there is anything totally out of balance in your life – then go from there.

Good luck.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Author]

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