[Anonymous]

I am studying for REG, I have a problem… I have all this week to study while I am at work and I just cant do it! I get sidetracked, think of other things to do, etc. I always say I never have enough time to study but I think I really do, I just don’t want to study. My mind wonders and I just generally hate it. I will get started say yesterday and today, I have been working on Individual Taxation. I will start off good, watching Roger Cram and doing some Wiley MC and some SIMs. The SIMs always make me discouraged… I don’t like the long ones and I loose focus and say FORGET IT, and exit out. This is just my first of four exams… how do people stay focused and make them selves study for one much less four. I feel like I just know I am going to quit or just not study and my next exam in July 19th. 3 1/2 weeks away.

I just don’t know if I am able to accomplish this, I don’t have consistent time to study at work, I could study at night, but I don’t want to cut out my family time, I don’t want to study on the weekends either.

That’s just the problem I just don’t want to study!!….. SO now what? 🙁

[Anonymous]

You don't want to cut your family time & you don't want to study on the weekends? Then when will you be studying? While asleep?

I am sorry, but in order for you to pass, you have to change your mindset.

You have to realize that passing the exam isn't an easy task. The more miserable you are, the higher your chances are to pass, according to Peter Olinto.

[shanek327]

I humbly agree with Another85.

My first exam was FAR….I resolved to never put studying before/above two things that I won't mention, I got a 62

My second exam was AUD… I resolved to never put studying before/above one other thing that I won't mention…I got a 68

My third exam was BEC, I went all out….top priority, I got an 82.

My AUD retake is next Thursday and I've been studying harder with each day because I know it's the only way I will avoid seeing 60-somethings on NASBA's site.

This entire process is very, very challenging. But it's only a season.

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[Mjganier]

What are your reasons for wanting the CPA? I found that keeping my goals in sight and in mind helped a lot with the distractions. I also say, ditch the videos and pick up your book or notes and start writing them. Doing that will help you retain the information better than looking at videos. If you're doing simulations in the middle of your sessions, I would say stop and save them for your review and focus on MCQ. Sims can be brutal if you don't have the concepts down. Also, try doing MCQ in increments of 10-15 at a time and then do something else for 5-10min but really focus and understand those questions and answers during that time.

Not wanting to cut out family time and weekends? Again, what are your reasons for wanting the CPA? If you're unable to study the way and in the time you have now, you'll have to make it up somehow which means sacrificing more family time and weekends. There was no way I could go without studying at night or on weekends. I let my family and friends and fiance (now wife) know that I had one night a week to do something fun. All my other time was spent studying because I didn't want to drag this thing out and sacrifice more time from them than I needed to. What's your support system like? Having a good support system can greatly help in the motivation department. You could try telling someone what your study goals are for the week and have them hold you to it. If you meet your goal, give yourself a reward. If not, then you have the humiliating awkwardness of telling that person you didn't meet your goal. It's just something to help keep you accountable.

Bottom line though, you have to put in the time. 20-25 hours a week minimum. These exams are not easy and you can't get by with choppy studying. Make yourself a schedule and stick to it. And yes, you may have to say no to family and friends.

FAR 8/18/2014--87
AUD 10/18/2014--78
REG 11/24/2014--76
BEC 2/28/2015--76

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"-Albert Einstein

Study Mats: Cpaexcel study text and EQ, Ninja MCQ, Ninja notes

[Tncincy]

Well, sorry you will have to do what you don't want to do if you're going to pass. Believe me, time will pass so quickly, before you know it it will be july, then aug, oct, nov, then 2016 and nothing done….no studying, no passes, no exam….just wasted time. So, this exam is not a matter of convenience, and cannot be taken casually. So I guess you will have to waste a couple of hundred dollars before you decide you will study. You might want to skip the videos and get right to the nitty gritty (questions). But for now you are running out of time so get to work. Your family will thank you later.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Missy]

I'd come back to the CPA exam when you are actually prepared to commit to it. I am not trying to be negative but it seems like you're just setting yourself up for frustration with this.

Yes, you are going to have to cut some family time but not all. Yes, you are going to have to study on the weekends. There are going to be sacrifices made not only by yourself but also those close to you even kids if you have them. My kids missed out on stuff during the 12 months I was at this, my husband sacrificed a lot and my extended family had to understand I would make an appearance but not linger at family functions.

The good news is its NOT forever, but its not going to happen while you maintain your regular lifestyle and schedule.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I have 3 children, 5,15,17 and a full time job. The older two kids play sports in the fall and spring. Thanks for all the responses. I just am really frustrated with this whole process. I want to have the CPA license, just to have it incase I ever need it. I don't need it for my current job, maybe for a future job. all I do know is that I am scared if I don't do it this time I will never do it and I will regret it. and yes I have already spent 1000s of $'s on review course now and in the past 7 years since I got my bachelors… so I would say I and my husband have put plenty of money into it… and I am serious about it. I just find it really hard to study for hours on end. I have never had to do that before, through my bachelors, or my masters.

Making myself study is the major problem here. Sticking to a game plan. I think I have spent more time planning on studying and taking these test than actually studying !

[Skynet]

Would you be willing to get your husband a “Substitute Wife”, you know a Maid, to help with the kids and the home while you study? : )

[Missy]

I had 2 kids, was the girl scout leader for my daughters troop, on the board of directors for youth cheer, worked a full time job and weekends (for the discount!) at Kohls. I was also taking online classes for my Masters.

Its HARD with active kids and a full time job, but I am living proof it can be done. Great time to study while you're waiting at practices or at games. You would need to be a bit more resourceful than someone without a family. But as someone who's had as much if not more on her plate you're going to continue to be frustrated if you don't make this a priority.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

mla, I'm in awe. Seriously. How in the world did you manage that? My FT job plus studying and I barely had time to eat.

[Zuly]

@Meagan you don't have to study for hours on end to stick to a good study plan. I use the NINJA method of studying 1 to 1.5 hours in the morning, .5 to 1 hour at lunch and stay late a couple of hours after work. On weekends I don't like to study for 8 hours so I just break up the time so I can spend time with my family…study early morning, study for a few hours in the day and then come back to home to spend the late afternoon with my family. This way I squeeze in about 20-25 hours a week. I know how you feel because I also get distracted when studying for long periods of time. Don't beat yourself up for it. There are days when I wake up late and don't study but I make up for it during other times or on the weekend I'll take off a a weekend day here and there. Just find what works for you…unfortunately you'll have to make sacrifices, as you already know. Also, make sure you get your family on board.

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Anonymous]

Always enjoy coming on another 71 and seeing @mla11692 with some humble brags telling us how amazing her success story is. never gets old. Truly an inspiration to all.

[ruggercpa2b]

I know this may not be the greatest idea but I wake up at 4am everyday and study for at least 2.5 hours. I am the most productive during those hours because my husband is asleep and the dogs are sleeping. There is nothing going on on social media. And I would be a fool to get out of bed at 4am to screw around. This allows me to do stuff with my husband after work. We workout together 3 days a week. I get about 2 hours after dinner of just chatting and hanging out. I am usually in bed by 9pm which he doesnt mind.

2 weeks before the exam my study habits change. He knows I have to study every waking moment during the last 2 weeks so he doesnt bother me much. He also knows that during those 2 weeks he is in charge of dinner and household chores. I am also lucky that he does his own laundry. I try to help out when I can or when I need a study break he knows the last 2 weeks I live and breathe the exam.

You can find time if you start adding up hours here and there that you can study even if its not all in one sitting.

mla is my hero! I love that you have stuck around.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Missy]

Takes 21 days to make something a habit, and ANYTHING can become a habit. So I'll say the first 3 weeks of it was hell, then I was just on autopilot and didn't know any better.

Up at 6, got kids off to school and at work by 7:30. Took 30 min at lunch to study because nobody took lunch let alone the full hour. I did listen to the audio at work because I figured I'd absorb some of it even if I wasn't paying total attention.

Home by 5:30 grabbed quick dinner (usually something in the crock pot or leftovers) and depending on the night had cheer or scouts by 6. Home by 8 ish and fortunately my kids were 10 and 16 so I didn't have to bathe them. They did their homework and I spent about an hour-90 minutes doing schoolwork for my grad classes (online) by about 9:30 I'd check kids homework, throw in a load of laundry, take something out to defrost for the next day. From 10:30-midnight I studied CPA stuff, then fell asleep listening to audio praying for sublminal messages………

Studied from about 8am-noon on the weekends and did the Kohls gig from about 5-10 at night. Noon-5 on weekends were total catch up on housework, get whatever supplies were necessary for scouts, and spending some time with the kids where I wasn't a drill sargent.

It was exhausting and I was glad to be done. But like I said, push through the first 21 days and it gets easier.

Try not to be braggy (but someday I'll share pics of the hardwood floor I put down, THAT is brag worthy). But just to show other busy moms that its not completely out of reach.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[trish_1234]

awwww. You can do it :)… its all about how desperate/hungry you are for those 3 letters… Its though on the family for sure 🙁 sooo much guilt on taking time away from the kids. But its just a period of time!

AUD 69, 92 7/15 Gleim and Ninja test bank
FAR sometime in 10/15 Gleim
BEC not taken
REG not taken

[Tncincy]

I agree with Zumo76, Studying doesn't have to be an all day alienated thing if you stick to the schedule. But at some point you will have to decide to study. great points Zumo

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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