[Anonymous]

Hi, everyone. After reading others postings about their CPA exam situations, I figured I needed to post one of my own (and take an opportunity to vent a bit).

Like many others on this forum, I’ve struggled historically with this exam. I had no problem scoring between 69-72 on these exams but never high enough to pass. I’ve tested for one part recently (AUD) and am attending a live course for another (REG) and am starting to notice I’m lacking motivation. 🙁 Over the weekend I spent a little time with one of my former collegues (who of course passed the exam on the first time around no problem) who knew that I was attending a course but didn’t know it was a CPA review course. As soon as she found out what it was I was attending, she downplayed it and made me feel like I was beating a dead horse trying to pass it. She didn’t say that but you could just tell by her facial expressions that she thought I was wasting my time.

I still have about 4 weeks before my test date so I have time to get my act back together and get prepared but I know I need to start that NOW! Trouble is, I’m starting to wonder if I have anyone supporting me in pursuing this at this point.

Can anyone share some words with me to help get me back on track and feeling like I can conquer the world (and this exam)?

[Anonymous]

First of all, i'd like to say that I would have loved to pipe in a little more as all of you left your comments – but I had my Becker class last night. So, I guess with that said, I'll pipe in now! 🙂

I just want to thank all of you for your postings!!! You honestly have no idea how much better you have made myself (and others I'm sure) feel about this whole process. I would completely agree that the only ones who understand what this process entails are those who are going through it themselves. I can tell by the legnth of some of your postings that they may have taken a bit of time to write, but thank you, thank you, thank you!

Here is an issue I am having (and I would love someone to throw out recommendations or suggestions), I currently work full time at a firm and then also work part-time on the weekends (I know what you're all thinking – I need to quit that job but it's not that easy for me). I love my weekend job (about as much as my full-time job) simply because it is so different from what I do during the week. During the week at the firm I work independently, don't really get to socialize, etc. and my weekend job is in Sales so I get to talk to others and just have fun – I guess it's a bit relaxing for me. I don't work a lot of hours there, maybe 5-10 hours a week – lately it's been about 5. But, between both jobs and attending marketing events for the firm, getting bogged down with work at the firm, I'm finding it very hard to keep my head above water.

With all of this said, it is very difficult for me to set a schedule and stick to it. I've tried creating an excel spreadsheet; a grid on legal paper; writing it on my calendar; feels like everything and yet time still seems to get away from me and I wonder off of schedule. SO, can anyone provide any suggestions that could help someone to stay on track and minimize life taking you off track?

I'm starting to think if this exam is ever done for me I'm going to need to go somewhere that has a swim up bar!!! 🙂

[Anonymous]

Becks,

This might be a stretch, but I THINK you just answered your own question. It sounds like your second job is more of a WANT rather than a NEED. 5-10 hrs a week? I am thinking retail? Does it really make or break the bank? I am thinking no. Now, I COMPLETELY understand why you have the second job. Myself, my ideal second job would be working out at the gym, going places with my family, watching college football on the weekends, etc. You get my drift.

The reason why your head is barely above water is because you are doing too much. You can't do that in order to be successful on this exam. Not with the amount of information you need to absorb. TRUST ME, I KNOW. Giving up the meaningful AND meaningless things in my life was the HARDEST thing to do. Now when I did, it really was not that hard. Plus it is only temporary. Just ask yourself this, what is more important to you? Socializing or getting a CPA? Then, ask yourself this, what would you rather do? Socialize or Study like you have never studied before? If it is socializing, then ACHIEVING the CPA is not that important…..Bottom line. You have to make that choice. Believe me, I wish it were not that hard but they make this damn exam so difficult that you have to essentially devote a part of your existence in order to achieve those 3 letters, C.P.A!!!

[Anonymous]

I wondered how long it would take someone to tell me to quit that job. You bring up some really good points, yes my job is more of a want because I just love it! However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that if I let it go, I'd probably just find something else to take up that time (non-cpa exam related). Now on the flip side, I could probably start using that job to my benefit which I may not have been doing. It is an hour away from where I live (see I really do love that job) and I probably could be driving in a few hours early and go to a coffee shop to study.

Probably off the point, but my point is whether it is a second job or a family, things are bound to come up in life (even when you are studying). I realize we all ‘give up our lives' but being realistic no matter how much you may give up your life, your kids, spouse, job, etc. will stil be there as a distraction. So, for those of you with the husbands/wifes/kids/etc. how do you keep everything on track when it comes to your schedule?

[Anonymous]

This TOOOOO funny! You sounded like I did even after failed FAR and AUD. It took that to get me to realize what I was doing wrong. Sure things do come up. I am not saying you can't take breaks. I was telling my brother in law last week that I take breaks, I just can't take day long or weekend long breaks. Basically, you are trying to find reasons why not to study. That is the bottom line. Trust me STUDYING SUCKS! I hated it in college, grad school, etc. Fortunately, you get do just enough in order to get a B and sometimes an A.

My biggest fear unfortunately is failure. I FINALLY had to come to grips with that. That fear is the biggest hindrance to what I want to achieve. I am TIRED of being mediocre. I really don't want to be that. Because of that fear, you become afraid of trying. In order to pass this exam, you literally have to work your a$$ off.

As far as telling the family, friends, etc. Look at the situation, for the most part the time we spend together is pretty leisurely, relaxing, etc. Instead of doing that, I need to be studying. Now do emergencies come up? Sure. But emergencies are rare. I hope you get my point. I had to suck it up and give up the time.

[Anonymous]

Becks, instead of trying to find ways to squeeze the CPA review in with the rest of your activities, you really do have to prioritize, with the exam being priority #1. It really is a drag, but with the review if you're not feeling the burn, you're probably not doing it right. I gave up 10 months of other activities to study like mad for the exam, and now I'm glad to be done with it.

[financeguy]

I have to say that I disagree when it comes to giving up everything in your life. I believe the key to life is balance.

I do not have any kids. I do work a full time job (40 hours/wk, but I do get a lot of days off). I have passed 2 parts of the exam so far. I still go to the gym 4-5 times a week. I play softball 2 times a week. I would take 1 easy class a semester at community college. I would hang out w/ friends on the weekends, go out to the bar and have some drinks. Dated girls. I watched football a majority of the weekends during NFL season. I prepare and cook most of my meals. I traveled during the holidays. I flat out took complete days off from studying. I went on a 4 day cruise. I went camping at Yosemiite.

I read the topic about what people will do once they are done w/ the exam, and just about everything that people have said, I still do it while studying. Now obviously my situation is different than someone working 55 hours a week and has several kids. Now there are some times that I am home studying at 10pm on a friday night, or spending all weekend studying. Now I have sacrificed things, but definitely have not given up everything in my life.

My point is, you have got to make your studying efficient and effective. You don't have to give everything up, you just have to make your time count. If you love your pt time job and it only consumes 5 hours a week, I personally don't think you need to quit it, BUT, you are going to have to make up that 5 hours somewhere in your schedule.

Your mind is going to believe what you constantly tell it. If you constantly tell yourself that this exam is going to take every waking minute of your life and you still might not pass – well then that is destined to come true.

Do the math. 24 hours in a day – you can't change that. Make your schedule of absolutes (work, sleep, commute, etc) Look at what you have to work w/ after that and then schedule your priorities and become a master of time management.

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

[Anonymous]

I'm finding this kind of funny too simply because I knew people would be reacting that way which is the one reason why I didn't post it in the beginning.

Quite frankly quitting this job is just not an option. Now does that mean I am going to fail my exam, or that my fun job comes before the exam in my world? Not necessarily. I've known others who have worked mutliple jobs or had other committments in addition to work while taking the exam. I'm sure I'm not the only one on this forum either.

However, I do want to thank you for sharing your words because I'm certaintly starting to get a fire under my butt to show you that it can be done! 🙂 You and I may have to talk a little more the next time I start questioning myself because this is exactly what I need.

[Anonymous]

Financeguy: So here is a question for your seeing as how you appear to be going on in your life similiar to the way I am while testing. What has been your best study habit that you've maintained while doing all of this? Has it been keeping a log of all of the time you've spent or just taking it week by week knowing when you'll have time available and making yourself study during that time? End of the day, how do you know you've studied enough?

[Anonymous]

Anytime.

Yes, work/life balance is important. Just make sure to make a schedule and stick to it. Set goals. Take your time if you have to. Study effectively and make sure you know it before you move on. Part of my problem was trying to rush the process and do fun things on the side. Knowing myself, I can easily get off track and lazy. So, being focused and getting rid of “good distractions” has been my key. Everyone is different though. Also, I never was confident in passing because I thought it was too much to handle. My problem was I was afraid to try. No more!

[financeguy]

Becks

End of the day I know that I have studied enough by my gut feeling. I passed AUD first time, failed BEC by 1 point second test, retook BEC 4 weeks later and passed. The 2 I passed, I had no doubt in my mind that I was ready. The one that I failed, I didn't feel ready.

I never kept any log for study time (although I am doing it for the next 3 weeks studying FAR, and it is helping me stick to the schedule).

I just made studying a part of my daily routine, and it changed day by day. I half-a$$ed it through college. I knew that I couldn't do that w/ this exam, so I know that it will take a committment. I think gut instinct is the best measure. Be honest w/ yourself…are you slacking off, or are you working hard. When I failed bec the first time, I was slacking off more than the 2 times I passed the test. No question about it. Personally, if you have to ask yourself whether or not you are doing enough to prepare, go conservative and say you are not doing enough and step it up.

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

[Anonymous]

I have enjoyed reading this because I have a severe case of the F-its this week.

I'm starting to feel like studying for the exam has become selfish of me. I get upset when things happen to deter me from my strict study schedule. I have given myself enough time to study but something always seems to come up that takes precedence. I won't bore you with all the junk in my life, but I am stretched really thin. As much as I hate studying, it is a luxury to find a chunk of time to devote to it. Studying 20 minutes here and there does not work.

That being said, I know there are people on this forum in worse predicaments than mine… and they have failed… and they eventually pass. I come to this forum like it is CPA porn; I enjoy it very much. It helps me realize I can do this when people here around me are tired of hearing about it (“You're still studying?”). I feel sure I would have given up if it weren't for the inspiration I have seen on here. Thanks, Jeff!

Somehow writing this helps me process issues and find some focus. Now if the AICPA would throw us a bone today, that would be awesome.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree!!! Every time you tell somoene you were studying when they ask what you did one night or over the weekend they just give you this look like ‘you've got to be kidding me'. I'm starting to find a lot of support in this forum…support I didn't think existed out there among CPA exam candidates.

CPAWannaBe I have to tell you this because every time I see you post something I giggle a little bit…your username and picture go SO well together!!! The kid's expression on that picture is totally how I feel about this exam right now! 🙂 Maybe the F-its are going around….because I have that the past few weeks. No matter what, something always comes up….or at least when it seems like things are on track.

I was really debating about starting this post simply because I didn't think anyone wanted to hear about my lack of support, hectic schedule, or doubting myself. I had no idea that others would be posting in response to this and I feel so much better after reading everyone's comments. Talk about motivation. 🙂 I think I have found my new support net….

Thank you everyone for your postings!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Becks!

That picture is my son on his second birthday. He was tired of partying.

This forum is simply awesome. I joined Club 75 at one point too which is even better support, but I found myself looking for support more than I was studying so I am taking a break. There is a network of great people on here like you wouldn't believe and the occasional troll so watch out.

[The GaJone]

I'm actually 100% with finance guy. I took and passed FAR, AUD, and REG during busy season this year (~55-60 hour work weeks. Granted, that's light compared to busy season for most public firms but still, it's not fun), and still went out on the weekends, watched sports, went to happy hours, etc. For me, if I studied for too long, or too many consecutive days, or too much in too short of a time, I would get burnt out WAY too easily, and when I'm burnt out I just can't retain information nearly as well. For me taking breaks (or entire days off), getting lots of sleep, and trying not to stress out too badly were just as key as the actual studying itself.

I mean, if your brain is completely fried and you know you're not going to retain any information, then what's the point of studying? You're not using your time very well. Just take a break, relax, watch some TV, or take a nap, or have a drink, or go out with your friends, or do whatever you want. I really feel like it's important to “recharge the batteries” when you're feeling burnt out. Granted, you can't lose focus TOO much and take breaks all the time, but still, I don't feel like it's necessary to spend every waking moment of your life studying for these tests. That's no way to live.

I also say all this as a single male with no kids who lives on his own, so that's a totally different scenario than someone with a family.

But that's how I look at it, anyway…..

FAR: 81 (1/20) AUD: 88 (2/27) REG: 91 (4/19) BEC: 75 (5/20)

[Anonymous]

It appears that you have scored very well on your exams so far….so that tells me that it is possible!

Thanks for posting!

[Author]

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