[runegoblet3xx]

So, I graduated in July with my Bachelor’s, but had enough credits to start sitting for the exam. I started my full-time job two weeks after and started studied the day I started work.

And I have to say, after being obsessive about studying in college, I suddenly lost my motivation.

For the past several months (amid holidays seeing family for the first time in years and medical issues), I didn’t have a tenth of the motivation to study like I did when I was in college.

I take FAR on January 9th, and quite honestly, I have no expectation of passing; I’m using it as a trial run of sorts. There’s just too much to review between now and then. However, I’m slowly getting my motivation back and plan to do some review while working busy season.

Anybody have advice on how to stay motivated? I wanted to take FAR because I’ve heard it tends to be the most information to learn. Or just studying in general, the best way to approach it? I’m also using Becker.

[Anonymous]

Why sit for a test when you don't expect to pass? It's a 4-hour test so you might as well as forfeit it and instead watch two movies in a row.

Kidding aside, since you're fresh out of college, there's a big chance you can pass FAR even when you're in the midst of your hectic schedules at work. If you just follow Becker's program, read/browse the book, answer HW questions and work on SIMS, you should feel prepared going into the testing center and expect to pass at the very least.

If Jan 9th is the end date of this testing window, go ahead and just take the test blindly. But we got about 10 more weeks left this window. That's enough time to prepare and knock FAR out. We just have to stay focused and be determined to pass.

Good luck to you and me. I am also taking FAR (again) this window.

[Anonymous]

Motivation is a great thing to have, but unfortunately falls short a lot of the time. Discipline is what this test takes. I was really on fire studying for FAR and was ready to take on BEC right after I tested on Oct 4th. I take BEC tomorrow, and it's taken me just as long to study for BEC as it did for FAR (tell me what's wrong with that picture). Not to say I didn't work hard and push my limits with FAR, but BEC was a huge struggle to get myself to study sometimes because I don't like the topics near as well as FAR and my motivation just wasn't there. Plus, football season and holidays didn't help 🙂

Unfortunately, sometimes you just have to push through even when you don't want to. When you fail to study, don't let that failure turn into a huge snowball. Come up with a study plan, stick to it as best as possible, and revise when necessary. Plan a small reward after each test, and a big reward once you're done with it all that you can look forward to. Find the most important reason you are pursuing your CPA and keep that end goal in sight at all times. Don't forget to plan fun and free time into your study schedule. Get enough sleep. Have a support system and accountability to encourage you when you feel like you can't do anymore.

But really, when it comes down to it all, discipline and commitment to the end goal are what it takes. You can do it if you set your mind to it!

[bigcore20]

My advice would be to wait until busy season is over and start from scratch (unless your work load isn't too bad). I know 2017 changes are coming, but if you have a rough busy season, then it's very unlikely that you could squeeze in BEC or something by March 10. These aren't the type of exams where you can just study an hour a day here and there and hope to pass. You have to be consistent everyday (preferably 2-4 hours per day, 8 on weekends if you can). The majority of people who fail with a sub 70 weren't consistent or they were goofing off here and there. This is why Q2 and Q3 have such high pass rates – because they usually haven't started their job yet and can just study full time.

I find if you set goals, like getting done F1 by X day, and F2 by the end of the weekend or something like that, you'll get more motivation. Without goals you'll just be dicking around. FAR is good to start with, then go to AUD.

[Missy]

Have to be willing to do it even when you'd rather have a root canal without novacaine by a blind chimpanzee. It's all about pushing through when you have nothing to give.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[runegoblet3xx]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The only way to push my test back would be to do it after busy season; things are already picking up in my office. While I plan to do some minor review so that I can stay fresh on topics (and don't re-learn which was my mistake this time), there's no way I could study full-time. Hence why I'm just taking it now to see what it's like and get some insight.

I like the mention above about discipline. I think going forward, I'm going to make a hand-written study plan (which makes me follow it more), write my own notes out, and make flashcards on some formulas, etc.

[Substantive Testing]

Mind if I ask you what are your plans after getting your license? I realized that motivations comes in hand with life priorities.

[runegoblet3xx]

I work with a large, regional public accounting firm right now, and I love it there. I hope to move up within the firm.

I want to have a personal life, too, but those are my professional goals.

I've also considered going back to teach later on in my career, part-time, which a lot of my professors did.

[Author]

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