[RaulB]

Hey all,
First off, great forum! I’ll be using this a lot particularly next year when I plan to start studying for the CPA exams. I am right now researching of ways WHERE to study. If you can offer some advise that would be great. I will list all my possibilities and offer a Con to each one since each present a specific dilemma to me.

1. Home- I could only study at bed and it’s a horrible option. Family is also too loud and TV on
2. Coffee Shops- I love studying here on Sundays. My dilemma is doing it during the weekdays because I am shooting to study morning before work and night after work. I am afraid I can get too tired because of traffic. During my school days all went well, but the CPA exam is more of a discipline type of deal. I can’t just say “Aw I am tired today, won’t study.” Or if mom made dinner and she wants me to come over, I can’t be like “Ok Mom coming over.” I am the type that would prefer to have no life during this process. Focus to the max and no joke.
3. School- Same thing as Coffee Shop. It’s a challenge to go there at night and finding parking is hard. I get out close to 7 pm each day and going over there takes like 25-30 minutes.
4. Work- This could work, however, I don’t want everyone to find out. I like it to be private. If all else fails, I may have to look into this option. My idea would be to have permission to study a couple of hours before punching in and then after punching out to stay for like 3 to 4 hours each night.
5. Own Office Investment- There is no Air nor heater after hours to what I have found out and plus having to spend the month to month money it will put a bigger responsibility to pass the exams
6. Own Apartment- Great, but I want to see if there are any other feasible options out there.
7. Car- Obviously, this is uncomfortable

My dilemma is more Mon through Thursday. Friday would be my day off. Sat and Sun I am good and know where to do it. It’s the weekdays that I just seem to have a hard time figuring out. I am shooting to do 25 to 30 hours weekly as long as they are quality hours. I do work full time by the way. My idea and desire is to do a morning and night shift, but somewhere close to work where I don’t have to spend so much time on traffic. I live in Los Angeles and it’s crazy. I have thought about an idea of doing it close to a coffee shop by where I work at, however, the tables are individual and not a long one as I like it. As we all know, not all coffee shops are created equal. What’s my ideal place? To me I like to have space such as having a big table and in my mind preventing traffic is a good idea. Home at this time, is not convenient and the office investment idea the lack of air and heater is a big turn off. I know I can bring in my own fan, but that’s crazy and I won’t do that. Realistically the own apartment and having to ask permission at work would be the best options. I wish there was a better idea, but can’t think of any more.

If anyone has any ideas, please share them. Trying to organize because trying to take this process as serious as possible. Would appreciate your feedback if you can offer it.

[Greg]

Your own apartment looks like the best route. If you don't have a desk, buy one and set it up in a way that suits you best. I used to study at my school but then realized the 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back cut away valuable study time. So, I'd wake up early and move over 5 feet to my desk and study. You'll just have to focus on minimizing your distractions but usually all you have to do is turn off your phone.

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

So do you live in an apartment now or are you saying you will go rent one? I'm assuming you do not have an apartment right now because I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to study there.
I would go with option 4 for your Mondays through Thursdays.

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[Panders]

Is there a public library or school library close to you? Obviously the hours will be more limited, but that's one more option to throw out there.

[RaulB]

Thank you for your responses. Greg- Totally agree with you. Where I live at, I do have a desk, however, it's a pretty bad place to study because of the noise and the desk is in the bedroom and I stay in my living room. Only place where I study when I am at home is in bed. If absolutely everything fails, it will be time to have my own place which I have been planning all along anyways. Pork Flavored Bacon- I am in a 1 bedroom apartment and live with family members at this time. Panders- Yes, Public Library is a possibility. It's actually right next to where I work at. The problem is that they close at 8 pm. I would only study for 1 hour exactly. I am the type that would rather get 3 or 4 hours in. School library. The closest one is 30 minutes away. I can do it, but traffic will be the issue.

[geevee]

Where in LA are you exactly going to be? If downtown (as I am), there are a lot of open coffee shops (as late as 10pm to 1am). If travelling and time lost is of utmost concern, instead of investing in an apartment / work space, you may consider investing in a top quality noise cancelling headphone ($300 to $500) and a mobile desk ($50-70 at amazon). That way, it is cheaper than renting month to month and it would somehow help you drown out the noise at home. Also, make sure to inform your housemates (family), that you are not to be disturbed between the hours of your designated study time. You may also consider waking up when all others are asleep (2am to 6am) so you can get in the study hours you need with as little distraction.

[RaulB]

Hi Geevee- I live close to Mid Wilshire. Havent been the biggest fan of downtown mainly because of the parking there. You mentioned the headphones idea. I am thinking of doing that, but not using them.at home and then the problem.at home is that I have told my family members that I am.studying, they keep on making noise. I have a desk and its in the bedroom. I could bring it to the living room, but its too big and I once did so and couldnt get any studying done either. Studying after hours yeah I used to do it, did it in bed mostly. It worked in school not so sure about the CPA exam.process. I am.thinking that there will probably be 1 sacrifice that I will have to do eventually. One that I think is studying at work on Fridays morning and evening. Its a.sacrifice because this is my day off studying wise. If I did this I could choose a day off between Mon Through Thurs and can try to figure out a way how to study the other 3 days. For.me home.is the last scenario. I would think about the coffee shops that you mentioned more to an extent. Is there any parking there? Where are they located? When you were studying for the exams, you also couldnt study at home?

[lam2848]

I personally would opt to study at work if you have your own desk. After you have finished your shift just stay at work a few hours late to study. I wouldn't worry about what anyone thinks about it.

[geevee]

@RaulB – my apartment is in downtown. I can study at home since there is only me and husband. Not much noise. But since I work full time, I tended to do most of my studying during the weekend. I like studying in coffee shops since I can also see a lot of people studying (motivational).

Here are my suggested places with parking:
1. Starbucks Reserve – 2134 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 (til 10pm)
2. Starbucks -1120 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (10pm)
2. Tierra Mia – 1202 N Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (11pm)

The others which are open til 12, not much parking areas. But you may want to check out little Tokyo and k town for those.

[ultrarunner]

I will go with #4. When I studied for the CPA exams, I used to go in before 6AM and study until everyone came in. I am not sure what kind of work you do, but people didn't seem to care what others do before or after your working hours. One colleague suspected that I was doing something, but he never asked what I was doing. After I passed my last section, I told him. He was so happy for me, and we became the best friends. Believe or not, people either don't care or they are nice enough to respect your privacy. So I think you should consider studying at work. Good luck.

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[RaulB]

I want to Thank everyone for the advises. I really appreciate it! After careful consideration, I have made the decision to not have a fixed place to study meaning I will go at it as I go day by day, BUT I do want to get in my 3 or 4 hours each night or whatever the hours as long as I understand the material. Here is something that I was going to ask you guys, but that I have the plan for now. What would.happen on a.day when I feel mad or I just dont have it after work? Assuming the problem isnt too bad, I have the tendency of going home to rest, get a meal, rest up and I am fine. While thinking about this, I thought about an idea of buying a Folded table to study at home when everyone is sleeping which they go at 10 so in my mind when these days happen, I will have to sacrifice hours of studying, but I want to start at 10 and do a 10 to 1 or 10 to 2 shift something like that. This wont be my fixed study place, but I can at least know that I wont lose the night. The only way I wouldnt study is if I am.too too down, although life is never perfect and just like we have to deal.with work and school this has to be taken very seriously in order to work. Sure I can go to a coffee shop or school library at night after work even feeling down, but I take some time to settle down and when I least know it its probably 8:30 or 9 and that's valuable time wasted. On days when I feel good then yes on those days I can go study whereever if at work, coffee shop, school, etc and the study session would start at 7. Basically, the folded desk which by the way what is a folded desk? Its one where I can store and fold put it underneath my bed. Its not always visible. I have a big desk in the bedroom, but I dont stay in it so I will have to buy this soon. I call this my “emergency desk.” To recap, it goes like this

1. On good and energetic nights, I plan on going anywhere and get my studying 7 to 10 or 7 to 11 pm something like that. Anything extra Great! Anything less, make it up during the week.
2. On off days where I just want to put on my pijamas at home, I want to study in that emergency desk and start at 10
Oh and by the way, this would apply only Mon through Thurs. Sat and Sun I intend to continue with my tradition of School Lab on Sat and Coffee shop on Sun. Fridays as wanted will be my day off.

I do have one question which may have never been asked on this forum, but do want.to get your feedback, advises, tips..its a strange question, here I go.
How can I not have a life and stay away from friends and family? I know some have an issue of sacrificing this because of the CPA process but in my case I have no problem whatsoever. Although I am happy that I am.able to find a solution to the places, next up has to do with my dad who loves soccer and enjoys watching it with me. I am.not the type of person who would say No since that makes him feel bad. One of my goals was to really go cards in, no life, I love sports myself but if it takes to get away of it then I will do so or any hangouts. The only thing I can think of is turning off my cell while studying. Any tips outside of studying? Its going to be a challenge to do it as I like, but hopefully there is a way. At the very least I can maybe get away from my things.

[Author]

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