[rubendf]

So I’ve lurked these forums since I began studying for the exam last August but have never been compelled enough to register/post until now. I’ve passed BEC, AUD & REG (AUD took a couple tries… NINJA audio helped a bunch) and now I’m working on FAR, my last section, and will be sitting for it for the first time on 07/31.

I’m posting simply because I feel like I’ve burnt the hell out. Period. I’m controller for a small group of real estate companies, so there’s never a shortage of work (50+ hrs per week are the norm, way more during busy season). I commute 1hr each way to/from work, and during this whole business, I do what I can to make sure my wonderful and incredibly supportive live-in girlfriend doesn’t feel too neglected.

Anyway, the last couple of weeks I’ve been consistently tired and sleeping like crazy. It’s like I simply can’t sleep enough. I slept 12 hours last saturday to sunday, took a 2 hour nap, went to bed super early on Sunday and I still feel like I can crash right now, no problem. It’s not usual at all for me to be this low in energy. I’ve scheduled an amazing vacation for 08/05 (the Monday after the test, first real vacation/time off from work in 2 and 1/2 years), which so far I’ve successfully used to keep me motivated, but it’s just not working anymore. I also don’t have time in my current work/study schedule to exercise (which my body and brain sorely need).

Anyway, to sum up, I feel like I’m so close to the finish line, and I’m royally pissed that my body decided to give out now, out of all freaking times… I need help. If you experienced anything like this, how did you get over it? As I’m sure most of you will understand, postponing the test or something that involves anything like that is simply not an option at this point. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated – Thanks

–

Ruben F.

[Jennifer241]

Sleep is your bodies natural way to heal itself, if you are sleeping a lot then your body needs it.

#1 What is your diet like? Check to make sure you are eating properly, taking a multi-vitamin and drinking LOTS of water. If your body is low on certain vitamins it will cause you to be tired, or your body to get sick which kicks your immune system into gear which makes you sleepy.

#2 Exercising, this will increase your focus (I am not good at this myself)

#3 Make sure you are getting good sleep during your normal sleep time, televisions off, no music playing, plenty of darkness.

Maybe you need to take a week off, let your brain relax and not think about the exam. Come back in 1 week feeling refreshed and focused! Then you can tackle this last exam and be DONE forever.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[MBA MST CPA]

I would go to the doctor and get a physical asap. Your exhaustion could be caused by exam stress but there is a chance that there is something physically wrong with you. Last year I went through periods of flu-like symptoms and exhaustion and it turned out that I had an infection. If you are suffering from a physical ailment and you don't get it treated, it could interfere with your performance on next month's exam.

REG - 11/5/2012 - 80
BEC - 1/17/2013 - 76
AUD - 2/22/2013 - 70 4/5/2013 - 75
FAR - 5/28/2013 - 75 - Done!!!

Question: What do you call someone who only gets 75's and 76's on the four parts of the CPA exam?

Answer: A CPA

[jelly]

Please go see the doctor and get full blood screen panels done. I had the same happen for several months, and I thought it was from working more than one job. I pretty much fell asleep in the examination room waiting for the doctor. Turns out it was a severe vitamin D deficiency (from being indoors b/c of work, and the short winter daylight hours) which only prescription strength doses could fix (the equivalent was drinking about several gallons of milk a day).

Couldn't pass again!

[Anonymous]

hi.. I have been through this scenario… Just give yourself one week off (not from work)… play ur video games, go out for movies, sleep a lot, all of this without thinking about the exam.. burn yourself out while u r sick of the games, movies, bars etc.. it would be a week well used…

[jgrfan1]

rebendf

I was just where you are. The month before FAR, my last exam, was extremely busy and I was burnt out after studying for the last 15 or so months. This is where legends are born, my friend. I found out I passed and spent the next week on the beach. It was worth it. Look, if you don't have anyone asking you to play w/ them / wipe their rear end, you don't really have any excuse to not push yourself for the last 5 weeks and hammer this thing home and get a license.

Stop the pity party and execute man! You are 5 weeks from being done! Get some sleep, take a jog and start waking up at 5AM to hammer out MCs. This is it! In 5 weeks you could be done!

This is not easy but it is worth it. You don't want to walk out of that test and think you could have done more – not a feeling you want to have.

Good luck, you are almost done, push through.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[Zaq]

Rule #76: No excuses; play like a champ.

If you got time to come here and complain, you got energy to type up some notes!

Are your issues real? Probably. Drink more water. Get more sleep. Sleep on time. Tough it up and push through the last month! You're so close to being done you can taste it. Finish strong. I assure you that the source of your exhaustion is mental due to being so close to the finish line. Change your focus and strengthen your conviction to kick this exam in the ass.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[mla1169]

Its entirely possible you're suffering from too much sleep. I can tell you that on the rare occasion I let myself sleep more than 6-7 hours I am DRAINED afterward. It can be a vicious cycle where you allow yourself more sleep which makes you more tired.

And yes, you do have time to exercise. Go for a 30 minute walk. Listen to audio while you do it, or walk with your girlfriend. If you can find the time to write this post you do have time.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[rubendf]

Thanks all for your encouraging comments! I decided I need to space out my study time to include weekends (so far, I've been putting in 14-16 hour weekdays between work and study + commute, just so I can have most of my weekends off), so I'm going to skip studying altogether on Tuesdays and Thursdays (except for NINJA audio while driving) and instead go to the gym after work, put in a good workout, and just relax afterwards. Let's hope this works. Seriously, thank god for my GF, you guys and my support system, I couldn't do it otherwise! Probably won't be posting again until after exam day so, many thanks!

P.S. We truly are a special breed of crazy MoFos…

—

Ruben F.

[Anonymous]

Go to the doctor right now…and get your bloodwork done. I struggled with this exam for a long time and was finally diagnosed with low iron anemia. I was so tired and no amount of sleep helped, could barely make it through the day, had trouble with focus and couldn't pull it together on test days even though I studied religiously. Low iron affects your memory! Once they got my iron regulated, I passed with 84, 84 and 81. I had a three month check up last week and it has dipped to a dangerously low level again. I am back on iron treatments and I know that it will make a difference on my next FAR in August. A person can live with low iron anemia for a very long time but when it goes from bad to worse the symptoms show up in a major way. I hope you are OK but please, please, please get a check up if you don't improve soon!

[memmy29]

I was there too. You can do it. I thought I would never be done, and FAR was my last exam. It was my fourth attempt, and although I thought I should be more amped up to test than ever, I was totally burned out. I focused on how badly I wanted to never study again, and it got me through. When you sit for the exam, treat it as a battle. Fight for every point and you'll pass. Good luck!

PS- Taking a few days off to get refocused will also help. I slept like crazy too. Could be slight depression, your body's way of healing, or just a subconscious way of avoiding studying. Definitely take naps, and try to fit studying in afterward.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[jgrfan1]

You were taking the weekends off? Dude, you get no sympathy from me.

Man up and finish this thing.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[Author]

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