[Anonymous]

when you feel like you don’t know how you’re going to get this done?

I know I can pass this exam, and really, I already passed the others so BEC shouldn’t be so difficult. And I am so grateful that I have no way near as much on my plate as so many other amazing people studying for these exams do.

But I just feel like I’m trying so hard to put in effort and it just doesn’t seem to be working! Sometimes I just don’t get the material when I think I do! And I know, I should go back and review. Listen to the lecture. Read the book. Write over the notes. Do mcqs and mcqs and mcqs. Read the answers. I KNOW this…but right now, I just feel the slightest bit of wonder if I can really do this…

But I know I can, somehow. I have to pass this time. I guess I’m just getting anxious because time is running out and I thought I would be further ahead and instead it’s taking me longer than anticipated. I guess, even though I may think I am trying very hard, I’m really not giving it my all and can be trying harder…I’ve got to focus more on BEC.

So what do you tell yourself when you’re feeling a bit down about these exams?

[KasiaS]

@Acct, when I get down in the dumps, I try to remind myself of the seemingly impossible things I've done in the past and succeeded at. For example, my last quarter at school, I was taking 5 classes, participating in 2 organizations, working full time, exercising, and taking care of the house (cleaning, errands, and whatnot). I left the house at 5:30 AM and didn't return until 10:30PM. Looking back, I have no idea how I did it and passed all my classes with A's without going insane.

When I remind myself of instances like that, studying for the CPA almost dwindles. I also tell myself, it's not a matter of “if” I pass but “when” I pass. When I look at this as something that will happen, I calm down a little. Rather than thinking, “how am I going to pass” I only focus on that day's study plan and nothing else. Everything I've ever accomplished in life was accomplished taking baby steps. I never really focus on the ultimate, big-picture goal. I place all my effort on completing the next small goal which I realize will ultimately lead to the big goal.

With your BEC studies, set an attainable goal each day and put all your effort into that one goal and REALLY put in your all. When you get it done, you'll have a sense of accomplishment. Do this everyday and each day's small victories will lead you to winning the war. If all else fails, throw on a pair of red panties on exam day and count on them giving you luck 🙂

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[jomarie]

I keep telling myself this is only temporary and I have to get through this in order to move ahead in life and with my goals.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[yankeeaccountant]

@Acct,

“Snap out of it” Well, that was what Cher said to Nicholas Cage in Moonstruck. I think she slapped him too!

I agree with KasiaS,(even about the red panties!!!!) set up attainable goals. I would pick 3 to 4 areas of most concern and go back and do what works for you: lectures, reading, notes. I want to say that BEC is a tough one since the material is so varied. Hard to be everywhere on that one. But it can be done. And…YOU can do it.

I think what is at play here is the “case of the last exam”. I have read on the forum about how people got to the last exam thinking that would be so motivating and they would wake up hearing the Rocky music theme. But it can be the exact opposite. I know that you wished this wouldn't be taking as long–me too! For that matter, my hubby is standing up saying ‘Me three!!” Ok, he is not, but he is in spirit. But don't psych yourself out. Put down the email, fb, and the cell phone and all other distractions and ….as they say in the south, “git ‘r done”. Come on aren't you dying to post in the A71 Alumni lounge??? Last call and you got this. What a Thanksgiving and Christmas it would be!

I am rooting for ya!

[mla1169]

Think of something that you have been successful at, and use that as your anchor for reminding yourself what you can do. Think of THAT success often.

For me I focus on the fact that I lost 100+ lb (please don't ask if I kept it ALL off, but most of it)

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@Acct

Great for starting this one, and sorry I am not giving advice rather I need advice and have different problems…DISTRACTIONS…DISTRACTIONS…DISTRACTIONS!!!

Everytime, I was about to do the mcq, I will check emails, forums, and blah blah blah. I ususlly get distracted and spent all or most of my study time for that day in computer. And you know by the end of the day, I feel horrible for not studying. It's a visious cycle. And the cycle continuous until close to the exam day. I really need to stop checking everything and I don't know how to do it. HELP !!!

By the way, thanks for the great advice @KasiaS and all. Good Luck.

[T-rex]

I would remind myself that there was an inverse relationship between the effort I put in now and the likelihood of having to retake a section later.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! I wasn't going to let myself respond until I finished/got right the section's mcqs I was working on… but I finished them finally!

I think I'm finally getting back into real study-mode, and was just thinking I was in it until now. Last night I was just so frustrated about the whole thing, but I'm going to conquer BEC, once and for all!

@KasiaS

🙂 will keep that in mind.

I'm very into the daily goal setting…but even though I thought mine were realistic, I guess they weren't – or else I wasn't applying myself enough. But I'm going to try harder.

You had a busy time in college!! I guess it's good to bear in mind that for now this is just a test and it can be done. Good luck with REG now!

@jomarie

If you ever feel frutrated about your exams, know that you are truly an inspiration. When I see how many times you've taken the exams (no offense intended at all) and married with children, etc. it amazes me. You just keep on going until you get it right, and that is something to keep in mind.

Reminds me of that saying “When you fall off a horse you have to get back on”…

I hope you pass this time around!

@yankeeaccountant

🙂

Thanks for the motivational words! I can't let this get to me and have to put in what it takes to get it done.

It's crazy how technology can be distracting…Thankfully don't have fb and my phone is a regular ol' flip phone and don't have emails or use internet on it…I like to minimize my distractions 🙂

Thanks for the good wishes! Hope you get it done this time, too!

@mla1169

🙂

Thanks for the advice! I'm happy you're done with this!

[jomarie]

I am so with cpamust!!! When it's time for me to study I find myself on here, facebook, or checking e-mail. I need to ground myself again from facebook and check e-mail only at work (since most of my e-mails are work related). Also only come on here for a little break.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Anonymous]

@cpamust and @jomarie

It's really tough. As I mentioned above, the technological distractions can be really terrible – and not just for studying. I remember at work we used to have a secretary that was always using her phone/email and she didn't concentrate enough on work and made mistakes…I ended up having to pick up the pieces sometimes and some of the mistakes were not so simple to fix up…

I'm sure people can give you loads of advice on this…But here's some (I've tried a few):don't turn on the internet, study somewhere without internet access, study textbook in the library, allow time for the internet after a certain amount of study time…make up with a friend who's also studying how much time each will study (at same time) and then take break at same time…

I know the horrible feeling that comes with spending too much time with distractions and all of a sudden it's 11 or 12 or 1am and barely studied… it's a constant battle but it's possible to overcome it, if you want to badly enough.

Good luck!!!!

@T-rex

Thank you! That is how I didn't pass BEC to begin with, but I knew that going into the exam (I could/did not spend as much time as usual studying due to other things going on).

[Anonymous]

@Acct and Jomarie,

Thank you so much !!!

Actually, I found out my root cause of all this distractions. I always set a goal for daily and weekly basis for study. Lately, I found out I was not able to accomplish my goals because of FAR mcq takes so much time and I have so much things to do. The result is I feel horrible.

So, the next day I feel failure even before I start to work, and I find myself surrendering to all those distractions just to make me feel good. This is definitely a vicious cycle. First I am going to get out of this “feeling sorry for myself.”

To conquer this PROBLEM— MY IDEA IS to change something.

This weekend, I am not going to set any goals (and this feels weird and really scary to me), however I am going to use everybit of time I get, I am going to put in study. My only antitode to this problem is action …only action. I am sure instead of doing nothing this is great idea.

Let me put this one into action this weekend and lets see how it works. Let's BEAT ALL THE DISTRACTIONS.

Good Luck!!! Keep Studying!!!

[Anonymous]

@cpamust

I know the feeling…

I hope this works for you. Each person needs his/her own strategy, so maybe this is the one for you. Please let me know how the weekend goes. Maybe I should give it a try for one day and see what happens…

Good luck, all!

[joshuaohchocinco]

Im good enough, Im smart enough and gosh darnit People LIKE ME!

FAR 11/18
AUD
REG
BEC
....this of course assumes the world doesnt end prior to.

[Anonymous]

Say no to facebook. It is distracting!

[Anonymous]

Focus on what your life is going to be like AFTER you pass… If I was studying for the exam today, I would be focused on all those hot new electric cars coming out next year, and after you pass, you may even be able to afford….

[Anonymous]

@Acct

Here is my results.

My temptations were definitely reduced…I wouldn't say it's gone. However I would say the plan worked pretty good just to alleviate those distractions. I did study randomly whatever the topic I was interested in this weekend.

Now, I must plan as usual and set goals for this weekdays. Really scares me to think about sitting for FAR this November. Not much time left…but so much stuff I need to cover. Ugh…

Thanks and Good Luck!

Keep Studying!!!

[Author]

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