[meli083]

I can’t seem to concentrate well at home after work. Where do you all think would be a good place to study besides home/apt?

I was thinking Starbucks, but they close at 10. I guess that’s not too bad. Any other suggestions?

AUD: 2/28/2013 - 86
FAR: 10/19/2013 - 83
REG: 1/6/2014 - 80
BEC: 2/27/2014 - 81

[foreseeableCPA]

Barnes & Noble? Library? Nearby Park? I can't focus at any other location than my home. I get distracted by people getting up or making noise.

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[MrFish]

Anywhere with no noise….How about your garage? A friend's garage?

[Anonymous]

What about staying at work and booking a conference room? Or sitting in a place a work (not your desk)?

[Anonymous]

Best place to study for me has always been the reference room at the library. It's dead quite and there is nothing to distract you from studying. I get way more done there than anywhere else.

[mla1169]

It was always a challenge for me to study at home because of my kids (teenagers, didn't need me to watch them, but distracting all the same) until I discovered soft ear plugs. Somehow shutting out all the background noise really enhanced my ability to concentrate.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I study for a few hours after work every day, then go to the gym, then come home and study. I prefer to study at work though. Find a cubicle where no one will find you/bother you and plug away.

[Anonymous]

Earplugs are a fantastic idea! Our Starbucks and library both close at 9pm. I should probably go to either of those anyhow since my house is like a revolving door with 12 year olds. (2 of my own and a neighborhood full of them.)

I'm exhausted after work and find myself drifting off by about 8:30pm. The only way I know to keep going is to keep eating…bad choice, I know.

I'm getting earplugs after work. Any thoughts on staying awake longer without eating?

[Anonymous]

Drink water it will keep you awake. Also an apple is a phenomenal snack to give you energy. They actually work better than coffee does.

[littlenumberrobot]

My personal experience(not saying this is anyone else's problem): When I first began studying tried at home DID NOT WORK and I have noooooo distractions but myself. Then as I got more serious (earlier this year) I started going to local library to force myself to study. But as the year went on, I started being able to focus at home. It was ME that was the problem, and when I was motivated I was able to focus. I also have a local university who has later hours, do you OP? So now, I study early in AM at work, at lunch at work and in evenings at home. I cant study past 9pm because I get up early, but I am an early riser so it works for me.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[kgirl]

Is your alma mater library nearby? If so, I'd go there to study or your workplace after work hours, if that's an option.

[musicamor]

I agree with @kgirl…most of the time, I studied at one of two universities here in Dallas–they always had an open spot and I could stay as late as I wanted. Pure concentration was afforded me while studying there.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

Places I've studied:

– @ work conference room

– @ library, private room (though had rules about using for only 2 hours if someone else needed it, so haven't gone back)

– @ local senior/community center, private room

– @ home, bought a small desk and pretty much locked myself in the room

Hope you fine a place that works best for you!!!

[meli083]

Wow, great places to study! I think I may try an empty conference room at work or a nearby library. The nearest uni is 15 minutes away but there's a technical college nearby. I may check that out. Thanks!!

@littlenumberrobot

Yeah, it's me. I let the petty things preoccupy me like the surfing the internet, talking to friends, and stuff like that. It's definitely something I need to work on. I feel like studying in a different place will help expose my procrastination and perhaps help me deal with it better.

AUD: 2/28/2013 - 86
FAR: 10/19/2013 - 83
REG: 1/6/2014 - 80
BEC: 2/27/2014 - 81

[Anonymous]

Like a few others, I could never study in a public place. I can't stand having people moving around me and making noise. The library is even too much distraction for me. Along the lines of the ear plugs, I actually use my ear muffs that I have for the firing range.

1. I find it more comfortable than having something in my ears.

2. While not a primary motivation, it gets me used to focusing with ear muffs on like we have to use at the exam center.

3. My fiancé can watch the crime shows she likes (CSI, Criminal Minds) while I study.

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AUD – 11/19/12 – 99

BEC – 02/20/13

REG – 04/24/13

FAR – 07/05/13

Becker Self Study and NINJA Notes

[meli083]

@3CPA

Based on your exam score, that seems to work great for you! Never thought of using ear muffs, but that would definitely work well for me IMO.

For me it's the opposite, having people around me will keep me from sleeping (after a long day of work), and motivate me in some way to just focus on my work.

Looks like I'll be getting ear plugs as well.

AUD: 2/28/2013 - 86
FAR: 10/19/2013 - 83
REG: 1/6/2014 - 80
BEC: 2/27/2014 - 81

[Author]

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