[Anonymous]

I’m just curious about how some people can take one test after another (and pass) with only a few weeks in between. I personally work 9hr days, have a 30-min commute, and have a 3 yr old at home. I try to study a few hours after work and most of the day on weekends and give myself a several months between tests. My husband has taken on the brunt of the childcare/housework during this episode of our lives and I still feel unprepared. Maybe I’m just not focused enough???

[msgolds]

@bhmnrhpsdy (love the name, btw), I am in a fairly similar situation. I typically work 8-9 hours days and I have a 45 minute commute. What I have found to be most helpful is creating a physical / psychological distance between my home-life and my studying life. I never study at my house or around my girlfriend, because too many distractions arise. I have a public library and a cafe that I regularly study at. Also, I know some people just can't drink caffeine, but I've found that after a day of working, a caffeine boost really helps give me that extra push I need to focus on the materials.

BEC - 90 PASSED
FAR - 84 PASSED
AUD - 93 PASSED
REG - 84 PASSED

I DID IT!!!!

Using Becker Self-Study

"If we were put here to carry a great weight, then the very things we hate are here to build those muscles."

[Red315]

I am in the same situation. I work 8 or 9 hours a day (frequently more). I study for about 2 hours a day after the kids go bed and all day saturday and sunday. i study for about 3 months for each secion.

Jeanne Aparicio

B - 75 (11/2011, First Attempt)
A - 88 (2/2012, First Attempt)
R - 89 (5/2012, First Attempt)
F - 79 (8/31/2012 First Attempt)

I AM DONE!!!!!! BECKER IS AWESOME!!!!

Licensed Florida CPA 09/2012

[gennatay]

I work 8 hours and have a 30 min commute to/from work and I have a 3 yr old. I am usually up at 430-5am to study and then I have an hour lunch where I study. At night, I try to get in at least an hour. On the weekends, I am still up pretty early to study. i also use CPA apps on my iPhone.

[RARCPA]

Yep, same here. I work 8 hour days, 30 minute commute. I have a 14 month old and a 9 year old. I wake up at 5 a.m. study until the baby wakes up (usually around 6:30). Then I try to get an extra hour or two after the kids are asleep. I do study all day Saturday and Sunday (thanks to my patient and supporting husband). I am trying to takcle two exams per testing window. So far I passed one and waiting for results for AUD this score release (hopefully tomorrow). I am hoping to be ready for REG by Oct 17th and immediatly study for BEC, which I am planning to take at the end of November. I have NO TIME for myself. My nails haven't seen manicure since I started this process, my hair is too long and I feel like I am going to explode any minute now…. I missed my friends and romantic nights with my husband. I am definitely miserable and can't take it anymore!!!!!!

So welcome aboard!

FAR 7/10/2012 - 93
AUD 08/28/2012 - 93
REG 10/16/2012 - 93
BEC 11/26/2012 - 88
ETHICS 12/01/2012 - 93
Done!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Red315 you seem to have a systematic approach towards ur exams and looking at the scores ur strategy seems to have worked v well for u.

Gud luck with ur score today.

[Roxwella]

Im on the far extreme from you. Currently Im unmarried and childless and without any major financial obligation. For this test my year started with 70hrish workweek (with an hour when I get home to study). I did this through tax season and then took REG May 5th. I then went out of the country for a month. Came back and studied 4-9 hours a day for about a month/month and a hald and took BEC. I plan to use that same method for AUD and FAR. Im crossing my fingers really hard that Im done by years end. I want to make a few dollars more this coming tax season :). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing, guys. It's nice to know that there are people in the same (slow, bogged-down) boat as I am.

@msgolds: I used to go to a local senior center but it was always SOOO cold in there – I had to bring a sweater, a blanket, and socks even when it was 90-100 degrees outside. eventually set up my own little space at home but not sure that's working too great, since still have too many distractions of home life (i.e., dishes, laundry, anything to keep from studying LOL).

@Red315: congratulations, so happy for you! you're an inspiration that it's absolutely possible. =)

@Gina and RARCPA: when do you sleep?!? unfortunately, i am a wreck if i don't get enough sleep and studying is pointless =(

[Anonymous]

I too work 8-9 hours a day. I have made it very clear I need to be out at a decent time to study before we start getting to busy season.

I am very lucky that my husband is being so awesome – he's been taking care of everything at our apartment. I get about 2-3 hours of studying in per night then about 5+ on Saturdays and Sundays.

I've pretty much given up any free time right now, but since I don't have kids yet it's not that big of a problem.

[Anonymous]

Congrats RED315!!!

RARCPA wow!! look at those scores…how many hrs do u put in a day girl?? and how many a week.

[mla1169]

I think the people who are doing more than 2 exams in a window either have no job, no kids or both! Personally I recommend 1 per window if you're a working parent (and no offense to Daddies but ESPECIALLY if you are the mom)

Anyway, I had the audios, listened during my commute, listened while I vacuumed or folded laundry, when I was able to have a radio at my desk I listened while I was working too. I listened while I slept. I figured subliminally something had to get through. Besides my husband insisted he was starting to get turned on by Anita Feller's voice…

I studied on my lunch break, and after my kids were done with thier homework/activities for the night (which is probably around the same time your little one goes down for the night).

As often as I could I shipped my kids off to friends, grandparents, aunts houses overnight on the weekend!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

MLA1169 I have weily audios too but i have a 10 week week old.If i put on the audios when am doing random stuff cant hear her call/cry so thats a big no go for me..

[mla1169]

Maybe put the audios on for the 10 week old, lol! May just find a new lullaby and a future CPA at the same time! Congrats on your new bundle!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I work 8-9 hours a day, 45 min commute, and a 3 year old. I study during the commute and an hour for lunch. I try to get 2-4 hours of studying after I tuck my son into bed. I only get 3 hours a day on the weekends (good thing he still naps or I couldn't study at all!) I know my method won't work for everybody but I've been able to pass two tests only studying for 4 weeks each this way. We'll see if I can keep this up for the final two now that I found out that I'm expecting. Staying up late is so much harder now! Especially now that I can't have coffee and energy drinks. Wish me luck!

[RARCPA]

@AnotherTaxAcct – Congrats!!! Take care of yourself and do try to get the other two exams out of the way before another bundle of joy comes into your life 🙂 Good luck!!

@bhmnrhpsdy – obviously I don't get enough sleep, but somehow I manage to get thru the day with losts of coffee and energy drinks… I am very exhausted, but I don't want to stop now. I MUST get the other two exams out of the way before the tax season starts. Also, I am lucky that I have a supporting husband that temporary took over mommy and daddy's duties and is carrying the household on his his shoulders….

FAR 7/10/2012 - 93
AUD 08/28/2012 - 93
REG 10/16/2012 - 93
BEC 11/26/2012 - 88
ETHICS 12/01/2012 - 93
Done!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Weekdays : I am working 9-6 , studying 7.30 to 11.30/12 am. Sometimes i feel so exhausted during day time that i end up having energy drinks or caffeine.

Weekends: whole day study..

And No social life

I'm so blessed to have a wonderful supportive husband ..:-)

[Author]

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