[D]

Before I start, please spare me with the “motivation=energy” pep talks. Trust me, I am plenty motivated to conquer this sucker and can’t wait to pass! I actually ENJOY studying and learning. 🙂 It’s the energy part I struggle with.

All you candidates out there who have big families (children especially), work long hours, and still have energy to do other things on top of your studying amaze me and I commend you. So I’m reaching out to you for some honest advice: Where do you get your energy from to study after work?

I’ve been doing swell the past week, however I’ll have to admit that if I felt a little more upbeat after my workday and ready to take on studying, I’d feel like my 2 hour study time during week nights was much more effective/efficient. I usually wake up around 5am and get in my workout (which is very important to me in staying healthy, so I certainly won’t skip those for a 6-8 month period.. I pack on pounds just looking at food). Then work is 7 to 5:30/6, after I cook dinner with the hubs, and after that is dedicated to study time…. which is when the exhaustion hits.

Just looking for your ideas on getting more energy at night! 🙂 I hate the feeling of barely being able to keep my eyes open while studying. Maybe I need more sleep, or some midday caffeine… I don’t know. Anything would help though!

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AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
BEC - 80! (5/2016)
REG - tbd (8/2016)
FAR - tbd

Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
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[PhDCPA]

Energy drinks used to give me instant motivation to study, it was like magic. I'm waaay to dependent on them now though, at least one a day.

@mla – the walking dead is a GREAT show!!!

[Anonymous]

A whole foods plant-based diet. Plenty of starches & vegetables. Tea when you need it. Lots of water. Variety.

[NECain]

This may sound cuckoo bananas, but I like to watch something funny. Something that really makes me laugh. Just watch people falling on youtube or watch Family Guy or whatever. A good laugh usually energizes me for at least an hour or two.

REG - 79
BEC - 75
AUD - 84
FAR - 75
Done...Thank you Wiley Books, Wiley Test Bank, and the NINJA Notes

[D]

A lot of great suggestions here. One thing I did forget to mention is that I get in an hour at lunch every day of studying, so even though I'm not completely following the E-L-L plan (I'm just doing the L-L plan, (so 3 hours per day, then a min of 16 hours on the weekend).

NECain- Ya, I've heard energy drinks are no good so I'll probably steer clear of them. I'm planning to find an hot green tea (with no sugars), and drink it right before I leave work as someone had mentioned. I also might shift my workouts to the evening.

Thanks for all the good input.

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AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
BEC - 80! (5/2016)
REG - tbd (8/2016)
FAR - tbd

Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
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[jelly]

I 2nd the notion that your husband cooks dinner, and you can study more, or sleep/wake earlier.

I used to sleep and study at all sorts of strange hours to pass. I guess it's like figuring out when exercising works for you – before work or after work. I used to study early in the mornings b/c it was quiet and I was more alert and productive than I was after work. (I also got laundry done too!)

Couldn't pass again!

[misanthrope87]

I'm always tired when I'm studying. What gets me through studying is pure determination and will during the weekdays when I study for an hour or two. On the weekends, I drink a cup of coffee or tea. That and fear. I am deathly afraid of failing.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Mom2two]

I second what katiekanton said! The Pomodoro Technique really helps me focus. I set the timer for 26 minutes and focus and go during that time. Then during the break I go switch laundry, wahs dishes, or sometimes do yoga or meditation. Also I use an energy light or some people call it a happy light. I can work for hours when that thing is on!! It somewhat messes with your circadian rhythm so I plan to cut back on the usage once the exam is over but it has made a difference to me. I also incorporated fish oil into my daily vitamin routine which I needed to do anyways. Make sure to get a high quality, organic one. The cheap one's will do nothing and taste bad. Good luck!

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[ndelc_4136]

5 HOUR ENERGY SHOTS ARE GOLDEN

Why be afraid of what we do not understand?

[KTE_CPA]

If it were me, and since you asked, I would definitely stay away from the 5 hour energy drinks. Also, since you are getting up at 5:00am to workout, it makes since that your body will start to wind down earlier in the evening. I know you said that it really wasn't an option, but I would seriously consider foregoing the morning workouts and use this time to study. It really comes down to where do you want to put all of your energy. I love to work out myself, but I completely put this on the shelf for the last year to study. It's amazing how those gym hours add up that could be used as study time. I would not forgo cooking dinner with the husband. I still showed up at the dinner table and helped clean the dishes. We still need some sort of family time.

FAR - 80 (05/23/11)
AUD - 92 (07/27/11)
BEC - 81 (10/24/11)
REG - 89 (02/20/12)
CA Ethics - 94 (03/31/12)

CA CPA - Licensed May 2012

[maybeCPA]

5 hour energy

FAR 76
BEC 72,78
REG 74,72,80 finally
AUD 72(i guess next time)

[Anonymous]

I used to take Adderall regularly in college. I never attended classes or studied, used to take the night before the exam and cram.

I've been off it for many months now though and trust me it took quite a while to adapt to my pre-college studying methods.

Right now coffee, tea and redbulls do the trick beautifully.

[Author]

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