[needmotivation]

Hey everyone, fresh graduate out of college and started studying for FAR with Becker. Still on topic 1 and listening to these lectures gives me anxiety because I feel i haven’t really been taught much of this material in school and already feel like I’m going to fail and not keep the 2 sections a week Becker recommends. I’m really not sure what to do but I know I really want to pass these 4 exams and get my CPA. does anyone have any suggestions?

[jombe]

If you need to reach out to others to find motivation, I'd think twice about going through with this journey. I am not saying don't ever do it, but come back when you found the motivation you need. I realize this is unrealistic advice for someone in your shoes, but I actually spent 5 years exploring operation/sales/purchasing/logistics after graduating w/ an accounting degree. Long story short – I learned what I liked and what I didn't like through experience and decided that I wanted to be a CPA. The journey to my license was still nerve-wrecking & stressful, but I knew I was absolutely determined and motivated to cross the finish line after seeing what other fields had to offer and that really helped.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[thunderlips]

jombe has a good point. having that feeling this early in the game. might want to take a step back and think if you really want this. i have yet to pass any but continue to troop on until i do, always bugged me knowing others are cpas and i am not

[vbmer]

The knowledge you get from the CPA is useful in almost every business function. I would get it over with now, while your accounting education is still somewhat fresh, rather than going off to do something else and deciding to come back for the CPA, when it will be much harder. Your life situation will only get harder as you get older, too.

[Recked]

It's very normal to be very overwhelmed when you first start out, especially on FAR.
This is a different sort of beast than all your college classes and exams.
You really need to give yourself a chance to learn how to study effectively. Once you figure out your best method of learning, then you will be able to make better progress.
Also, 2 Chapters a week is an average, but doesn't have to be the hard line for everyone. Take your time as you start out, because your 18 month clock isn't even ticking yet.
Slow and steady wins, the race. Start to understand the material, start to understand how you learn best, keep chugging along and it will all come together in the end.
Don't give up now. You'll encounter many challenges, from having to rewatch entire lectures, to MCQs quizzes where you only score a 10%.
Happens to all of us, and it's all part of the process. Just keep plugging away. FAR is humbling.

[jeff]

Keeping on schedule is more important than understanding every nuance of each chapter. Whatever you miss in the book/videos, you'll get in the MCQ. Try the ninja method (via free study planner): https://www.another71.com/free-downloads

[CPAHOPE]

Just really enjoy learning bro really enjoy learning i know i will eventually become a CPA since i do really enjoy learning i think about the CPA materials through out my days to not forget about the materials i even talked a friendly dog about what ive learned lol
When u study them correctly things will click n u will want to learn more n more
Look at my scores horrendous but i didnt give 200% thats why

[Ralphie Dos Nachos]

It is ultimately only yourself that will genuinely motivate you to tackle this thing. Nobody but myself has made me sit down and study for hundreds probably over a thousand hours at this point. Speak from experience, you can see from my first FAR and AUD takes back in 2017 fresh out of college and I did not take it seriously. Fast forward to november of 2018 til now I have found self-motivation through possibly getting a promotion after passing or other job opportunity, making my family and friends proud.

[jombe]

Oh BTW, I did study for CPA right after graduating from college. I studied w/ a book I bought from the bookstore (prob becker, don't really remember for sure after 10 years) for two months. Nothing made sense. I hated the fact that I was studying AGAIN after being in school for ~17 years. That's why I explored other fields for 5 years… 🙂

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[Mercenary]

Motivation can be gained in many ways. The content can be presented in an interesting way with the right course to help increase it. Setting deadlines by scheduling the exam and any travel requirements certainly helped keep me motivated.

[Small4]

preparation can help ease some of the anxiety. however, it never eliminates it. with that said, think of it as an important milestone in your life thst is worth every sacrifice. it took me a decade. so youre good.

cpa is about to study effectively. not all cpas knnow all topics, we just got good at applying it short term in a test. if u ask me about sox now i wouldnt know anything since i wassnt an accounting major off the bat and im in tax… but just applied a general spproach to it

best of luck…who knows youll prob be my future boss someday 🙂

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[monikernc]

Your problem isn’t motivation it is anxiety. Don’t worry about what you learned in school. Studying for the exam is a learning process all it’s own. The materials will teach you what you need to pass each and every exam. I used NINJA books and mcq for all exams and passed each on first try. The secret is really focusing, taking good notes as you do the mcq’s, and reading EVERY answer to mcq to know why the right answer is correct, why the wrong answers are incorrect, and for emphasizing the correct procedure to solve the question. You won’t get the same questions on the exam but you will need to understand the concept and know the method to solve similar questions on same topic. Rid yourself of your anxiety by allowing yourself to start fresh everyday and reminding yourself you can learn this. Positive self-talk is key! You will get answers wrong as you study but learn from each mistake and you will succeed. You are eating an elephant so take small bites. As you learn you build confidence that you will use to take the exam successfully.
You can do this. Good luck!

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Author]

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