[sarah210]

For the past few weeks, I have been whirring along studying frequently and on schedule for FAR, which I’m retaking in 3.5 weeks. But this week I have been super distracted and slow and lazy.

I need some tips to kick start my studying and get me back into gear and on the right path.

I don’t need *reasons* to study, I need tricks. I going to start by setting a kitchen timer for 10 minutes, and doing MCQs with complete focus during that time. Brief break, then repeat, ad nauseam.

I’m also hoping that when I find out my score for REG tomorrow (fingers crossed) that if it’s horrible that will provide additional incentive to light a fire under my @$$.

Any other helpful hints or tips to get cracking after a temporary setback?

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[Mrs 300]

OK so before you read this, just brace yourself for a major *NERD ALERT* because that's kind of what I am. But I'll tell you how I get going after I have some study setbacks. I hope this helps!

1) I wrote a list of 20 affirmations. I e-mailed them to myself. I read them every day and they motivate me to study.

2) The song Eminem's “Not Afraid” – seriously – this song motivates me like no other. I've never really been a huge Eminem fan until taking this test. But this song pumps me UP before my study sessions.

3) The song Airplanes featuring Eminem – it HAS to be the one w/ Eminem. Look it up on YouTube. And the song starts at 3 min 15 sec. Motivating like no other.

4) Another thing that helps me is to section off study times during the day. For example, today, I knew that I could only study from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM so I went at it hard core. And I also have a block tonight from 5:00 – 8:00. My situation might be different than yours b/c I have two young kids, so there are times when I can't study. So if I get a few scheduled hours, I know that I HAVE to study.

5) A huge one for me – when it's study time – it's study time. No facebook, no e-mail, no Another71.com. It's time to study. Become one with your book. I am only online when it's my free time. A lot of times if I have a 4 hour chunk to study, I tell my self from 6:00 – 6:50 I can study, and then from 6:51 – 6:59, I can screw around on the internet. At 7:00, it's study time again. During those 9 minutes, I can take breaks.

I hope these help.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Anonymous]

I'm dying…. I have a plan and I am executing it but this is such a long drawn out process that it's almost like those doomsday preparers who are preparing for something that never seems to get here. I'm doing all of this preparation but some days I feel a lot more prepared than others and some days I panic at the thought I might not get it all done.

Mainly, I am fighting against the desire to go play with my family. My mom passed on 4/9 and it has thrown my mind into all kinds of disarray. I've given myself the pep talks and despite whatever facts I throw at it, the emotions keep bringing me back to the fact that I am missing so much of my kid's lives. I keep telling myself that it is only through August (God willing) but emotions then say “you almost got killed this AM on the freeway by a reckless driver and had you what would the last six months of your life have been for”. I know these are illogical thoughts but if your emotional base is carrying the mind away, it affects your performance.

5/29 cannot get here fast enough and God willing, I will have a couple weeks off from studying and then my vacation with the family. If I don't pass on 5/29 all that's spiked and I am back to studying, even during vacation.

[Mrs 300]

CPAPending – so sorry to hear about your mom. 🙁 My deepest sympathies and condolences.

I also have to fight the urge to “go play” with my kids (they are 5 &3). I get it. And the reason it has taken me so long to get on the horse and get this exam done was because I wanted to spend the quality time with them when they were little. But the CPA monkey has been on my back for so long. I HAVE to get it done now.

I have gotten to the point where I don't care about vacations or family parties. I am willing to sacrifice everything to get this test done. Yes, I know that I can't just completely shut out work, kids and family to do this. It has to be within reason. But once I pass this exam, I will never have to study again. I will have every weekend back for the rest of my life and I will also be able to call myself a CPA. I don't CARE if I am stuck in the library when my family is playing. I used to. I cared until this latest test.

I'm not going to lie to you. You are missing part of your kids' lives. I am not going to lie to myself either. I have studied over 800 hours so far. 800 hours that could have been spent with them. But I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was worth it. It's going to feel so good to become a CPA. It's going to be one of the greatest feelings of euphoria that I have ever felt. I can't wait to tell people about my journey when it's all said and done. I can't wait to tell my kids about this journey when they grow up. And don't forget, all of these setbacks and problems make the CPA title that much more rewarding.

Short term pain, long term gain. You can DO THIS!!!

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Author]

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