[financeguy]

I am studying for FAR to take in July and a recent event w/ a girl has got me very depressed and I just can’t concentrate.  Last thursday I got my passing score for BEC and on the same day I also received a promotion at work.  I was so happy.  That same day I had just finished watching all 46 hours of lecture from my yaeger homestudy.  That weekend I went on a camping trip.  So basically to sum it up, I haven’t done any studying since last thursday (5/19).  I have tried to hit the books a few times and I just stop after about 10-15 minutes because I just can’t concentrate.  I have AUD and BEC passed, and I want to be prepared for FAR in July.  I am in a really bad mind state right now and it is heavily affecting me w/ this exam.  This post is somewhat just to vent, but I need to clear my head.  I need to get back on track and get back into the right mindset.  Any advice?

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[hopeful_cpa]

that makes two of us my friend, except throw in a non passing grade on bec, being denied another promotion at work, and a divorce… lol… now tell me why you cant concentrate?

take a deep breathe, do some pushups or something, and maybe it will help.

BEC: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
FAR: Done

I'M DONE!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Keep reminding yourself of your long term goals.  The doors this exam can open for you could have a tremendous impact on your life in the future.  I try to think about this every day as my motivation to study.

I think we all have our times of not being able to concentrate.  Just reminding yourself of the huge benefit this will be for your life might help overcome what's happening currently.

I stuggle right now with a long-distance relationship with my g/f who “understands” that I need time to study, but is consistantly very emotional and upset when I can't do something with her.  I just have to keep my mind focused on the most important goal — Finishing grad school, getting my career together (starting a job in August) and passing this exam.  The rest will follow suit & my partner-in-crime will hopefully understand that.

Keep your mind set on all the positive things that may come after passing this exam! — I took Audit yesterday, and I hit the books on FAR this afternoon.  I don't know why, I just had a random motivation to get this thing done!

[Anonymous]

financeguy and hopeful-cpa,

You both are regular posters on here and I like following your posts. (BrianM is kinda new to me but I totally agree with his wise words). All I can say is that it takes a special person to put up with a CPA exam candidate.  You are all very articulate on the forum and I know you will be successful CPAs one day. It will be your girl's loss when you are. 

It's hard to put everything else out of your mind except the exam, but I find that if I focus on just that, I can get my CPA-OCD kicked into overdrive and study. My husband lost his job at DuPont a few days before my REG exam and my grandmother died the day before FAR. A lot can happen in your life during the year or two it takes to pass. I just want to get the exam behind me so I can focus on my life again. That is the real prize.

[Anonymous]

@CPAWannaBe

I just want to get the exam behind me so I can focus on my life again.
That is the real prize.

That is so true CPAWannaBe. I’m 100% with you on that. In my case I promised someone I would not get “contaminated” by whatever happens. People that are not taking or have taken the exam have no idea of what it is or it takes to pass the exam. The long hours, the money spend, the waiting.

@financeguy

You already have 2 down your 50% done are you going to let your current state of mind ruined all that hard work?

If there is something we can’t afford to waste specially during preparation for the CPA exam is time. My advice do some soul searching and come to terms with what happened. It might take some time but make sure that is the only time you will spend on the matter.

[financeguy]

Thanks for the words everyone.  Hopeful_cpa, that is tough, hang in there.  I went out and went for a hike today after making this post.  It was a nice long drive to the hiking trail and very nice weather today.  It was good for me.  I'm not going to do any studying today.  I will get back at it tomorrow and hit it very hard in June.  My mind is not cleared but I do know how important it is for me to pass the exam.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[Anonymous]

@ financeguy

By the way just for encouragement. I lost my job earlier this year and afterwards I found out I got a 70 on FAR.

Here comes the good part. After losing my job I took AUD which I passed thank God. Also there is a lot of wonderful people cheering me on and I do not want to let them down.

I’m pretty sure there is a couple of people also cheering for your success. Are you going to let them down?

[Anonymous]

BrianM- 

Definitely know how you feel. I'm having a hard time getting myself motivated to study the past few days too. Taking BEC July 1. The guy I was seeing moved 6 hours away a few weeks ago until he is done. He is starting starting his third year of med school and studying for his boards to get into residency so we just decided to end it because it would be easier on both of us and not talk. I miss him like crazy. Me being in a long distance relationship would be impossible because I can get very emotional, depressed, and can't concentrate on studying. I totally understand how your girlfriend feels. She understands, it just seems like girls handle the distance worse than guys do in my opinion. But anyways, I need to stay focused on my long term goals like you said.

[Jerod87]

Sounds like this hits close to home for a few of us.  I actually intended on sitting for REG and AUD in the month of May, but evidently my girlfriend of several years couldn't handle me studying for the CPA exam, and decided to end it.  You always hear people say, forget about her, or whatever, but, as you know, it's not that easy.  I couldn't focus on studying either, so I now have to wait until July to complete the exam.  The only remedy for something like this is time, and now I am back by focusing on my own goals such as getting back into shape and achieving CPA status.  I wish you the best of luck, financeguy.  

FAR- 76, BEC- 79, REG- 82, AUD- Waiting
IL Candidate
Yaeger Review

[leebird]

Hey Financeguy, I am the same boat, sorta. My girlfriend and I are on the out and outs, and she makes my life unbearable with all of the games. there's one thing about being young and unmarried–one of you will always tell yourself there is no “real” commitment.

I live about 4 hours away from my ex-girl, so it's easier to keep my mind off of everything. The simplest advice anyone can give you is to don't think about her and concentrate on your goal. Easier said than done. The reality is, the CPA exam is more loyal than your girlfriend could ever be. This means no matter what happens between you and her, the three letters will always be behind your name.

I thought my ex was loyal and dependable, but I have found out that you can't really trust anyone now days. Except family. Don't take it personal. It happens to the best of us. Get through your exam and worry about meeting someone who you can depend on. It's like this: some people you date don't want to see you succeed. They like to see you fall, to stumble, to fail at your goals. And they play games to keep you strung out just so far as to not break the line–like fishing. But when it's time to reel you in, they take one long look and throw you back in the water.

Then the cast another line a little bit further, and a little deeper.

[leebird]

Oh and Financeguy, you better be ready for FAR. Its a  monster. you're gonna have to be in the right frame of mind to get through it. But you can, of course! Don't let those head games F*c# with you.

However, the good news is you have already seen most of what is on FAR in college and elsewhere. Just a lot of material. Not as hard as some of the chapters from BEC. Or, perhaps about the same….

[financeguy]

Yes, Lee, I know I am going to have to be in the right frame of mind for FAR. It is so much damn material. If I took the test today I wouldn't even come close to passing. I have some serious work cut out for myself. The good thing I have going is that I don't get any anxiety at all for these exams, and I would say that I am pretty good at taking tests. And when it comes down to the actual test, it doesn't matter what has been on my mind, I can instantly switch up and be focused for that test. But I am having tremendous difficulty focusing on studying right now.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[Jerod87]

Excellent post, Leebird. You really nailed it.

-Jerod

FAR- 76, BEC- 79, REG- 82, AUD- Waiting
IL Candidate
Yaeger Review

[leebird]

Financeguy, hang in there. I suggest finding something you really want in life–a material item. For me, it was this $2,500 Canon SLR camera. I knew I had worked hard, and I treated myself to it–without a job. BTW, I lost my job right before the AUD, so I know about letdowns.

Find something you really want and set your goal. It will be bittersweet when you pass, and buy yourself something real nice. I am very conservative with money, but I knew I needed to treat myself for all the hard work. This camera I bought is going to be photographing new women in my life. Half-dressed, or in bikinis, all of that. Something I never did with my ex.

It's their loss; for the simple fact that all of us are writing about them lets me know how good we were for their life. But some people cannot be content and want a “perfect” significant other. By the time they figure it out, it's too late. Oh, and i am about to lift weights like Jerod suggested. Remember that rap song from a few years back: im'ma do me.

[financeguy]

I appreciate the advice lee. The fact is, the thing that I really want in life and as my ultimate goal, is a real genuine relationship. I can tell you w/ complete conviction that I don't care about material things. I have truly learned to “let go”. I think the movie Fight Club is complete genius. I love the line, “The things people own, end up owning them.” I have come a long way from being the kid w/ a Christmas list a mile long, and just basically wanting, wanting, wanting. Whatever motivates and pushes someone towards their goals, that is cool, whatever helps you get there. Material possessions is not it for me.

Now don't get me wrong – I want to make money. I want to make a lot of money. But I want to make it for the sport of making money. I'm a very competitive person. It is the competition that lights my fire. It is the rejection that motivates me. All the jobs, all the bosses, all the girls, all that felt that I wasn't qualified or good enough. That's what motivates me. It motivates me like nothing else can. I will get back in that mindset. There is absolutely nothing that will permanently derail me off my path, and I can say that with 100% certainty. This 3 day weekend has been very tough. I don't think I have been so depressed in my life, but I know that I will bounce back.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[hopeful_cpa]

my goal is to have a red ferrari sitting in my garage waiting… i thought i had a genuine relationship, there is nothing genuine except for your family. i know i sound super cynical but all i have ever wanted since i can remember is a loving wife who will share my life and responsibilities with me… and we all know where that ended up.

i agree with lee… set you eyes on something material to treat yourself to when you complete something… yea, i know the ferrari wont happen anytime soon, but i know it will happen.

keep your eyes on the prize and a narrow focus on what the final result will be.

BEC: Done
REG: Done
AUD: Done
FAR: Done

I'M DONE!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Author]

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