[Jess774]

I passed REG in July and failed BEC in August and October. I took a break from BEC and have been “studying” for FAR since the first week in November. I find myself constantly procrastinating while studying whether it’s on my phone or surfing the internet for something. I’ve thought about completely giving up my cellphone until I’m done with the exam, but I like to stay in touch daily with my family and niece since I don’t get to see them much. I’ve wasted so much time procrastinating. I feel guilty to go to dinner or to hang with family and friends, but I can spend an entire Friday and Saturday night home procrastinating with Becker CPA Exam review just hanging out next to me looking pretty all night long. I can either spend the next decade monkeying around and secluding myself so that I can just procrastinate OR I can really buckle down, commitment myself completely to studying and FINALLY pass so that I can get back to living the life that I want to.

I guess this is just me venting! I don’t really have anyone in my life (other than the 4 people that I work with) that truly understands the battle. Ahh! I really admire everyone that hasn’t given up even after failing and to everyone that has committed themselves to studying and passing. This truly is a test of how resilient you are.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

REG - 75
BEC - 70, 64, 81!!!!
FAR - 67, 69, retake: Oct 2016
AUD - 8/25/16

[ohiostategirlcpa]

Seclude yourself for 1 year until you pass. It is the only way.
Give up your cellphone, internet, social life, etc.
Make a decision to pass the exam and then commit to it.
Most who pass have to do something similar (myself included).

F91 A95 R90 B94
CMA since 2015
(Gleim books/PDFs, MCQs, SIMS)

[hasy]

As I take a small break from studying for FAR, I am also procrastinating. There was MUCH heavy procrastinating with BEC but the book itself was very manageable to get through and I pushed myself hard in October to finish it. As for continuing to study, I have to say, it's either you do it or it may be harder to find a job in the future.

I took BEC and got laid off literally 5 days later. I am currently temping at a good company but I may not get a fulltime offer so I'm still on the rope. So it's either I can say I passed 2 parts or I can waste my money by not trying. It is really hard to study FAR. There are SO many chapters. But do small goals. I'm determined to finish this chapter today and finish another chapter tomorrow as my work has given me 2 days off. So I should use this VALUABLE time before the busy season to study.

You have the respect of others (as well as me) in this forum being able to pass REG, which to me, is one of the harder exams in this entire journey. So don't give up. I am very much struggling as well. So let's struggle together and get past this. 🙂

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Tncincy]

@jess, I feel you, Procrastination is not a guilt free ride. I have wasted almost an entire year starting and stopping. No more. I am committed to passing and I am committed to studying. I have renewed my mcq's ( can't keep giving Jeff 47 bucks, although I appreciate the materials), cleared off my credit card so I can pay for my nts, and after dinner I am getting to work. consistent is the key. I am not a social network, internet nerd so that's not my problem. Getting started and continuing is my problem. I allow everybody and anything jump in front of the line instead of consistent study ( I'll do it tomorrow attitude). Most of us have been through it, but you (me) have to decide when enough is enough. The other hard part is others on the forum have studied passed, failed, retake, passed, finished and waiting on their license while I am deciding to get started. I know it's not a contest, but I could be finished too. Procrastination,….. what a bummer.

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

[Jess774]

Thanks everyone!!! Ohio girl, I really think that is the only way! I secluded myself and don't procrastinate much at all with REG and I just barely made it with a 75. It is the only way.

Hasy thanks a lot. You have the right attitude. Having those three letters after your name will definitely help you find a job that you deserve or maybe help you stay where you are temping. Lets struggle together. We got this!!! All time is valuable. Including driving time, I tell myself.

Tncincy its awful how everything and anything should be done, right before you study. Enough is enough. Lets study hard, put studying first and pass these exams!!!

Thanks guys. I needed that little boost.

REG - 75
BEC - 70, 64, 81!!!!
FAR - 67, 69, retake: Oct 2016
AUD - 8/25/16

[More_Coffee]

I started getting it really bad with FAR. I ended up pushing my exam out a month… I just felt defeated and a lot of times that I tried to study, I'd find myself on my phone, browsing Facebook or this forum haha. I started letting myself only check my phone after I got to a certain point in my studying (“I can check Facebook for 5 minutes after I finish this section of MCQ's”), which seemed to work okay for me. But you literally have to set a timer or something, because 5 minutes can turn into an hour, and then you're left frustrated with yourself. It's hard… procrastination is terrible and it's hard to beat. You can do it though!

REG - 86 (4/11/15)
BEC - 92 (5/29/15)
AUD - 99 (7/23/15)
FAR - 89 (11/23/15) It's over!!!
>> Becker Self Study

[1koolcat]

@Jess,

I'm in the procrastination boat with you, but you didn't notice me because I was too busy watching YouTube videos to say hello. I'm not saying what I am doing is working, but it helps me to break studying down into small parts. VERY small parts. I'm re-taking FAR in January, so I'm going through Becker all over again. The are 68 sub-sections and I'm trying to get through 2 per day. Doable, right? I'm already 10 sub-sections behind. The timer thing helps too. You might want to set your timer for 25 minutes and place your phone in another room. Study for 25 minutes and then check your phone for 5 minutes. Or whatever works for you. As you can see, I have a super short attention span…Are those kittens wearing hats?

AUD - 77
REG - 73, 80
FAR - 69, 73, 79 and DONE!
BEC - 82

[MrCPA511]

I think just having the right mindset is all it takes. When I was studying, I disabled facebook and studied at the library with my internet disabled. Studying at home would be a complete waste of time. I also stopped communicating with any friends to a point where I wasn't even asked to hang out anymore. And lastly, I studied for each exam as if my life depended on it as failing was absolutely not an option,. Granted, this put a lot of extra pressure on myself but I think that also pushed me to do whatever it takes to pass. As everyone here says, you don't have to be smart to pass these exams.. it's just how badly you want it.

So how badly do you want it?

FAR - 86 7/2014
AUD - 95 10/2014
REG - 87 1/22/15
BEC - 84 7/2015

[SGShiver]

There have been days where I wanted to procrastinate. Two weeks ago I read a comment on here about someone using the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused (more information on it at https://pomodorotechnique.com ). I used the tips from the video and a free app on my phone as a timer. I must say I have become focused and have gotten a lot more accomplished during these past two weeks than usual. I like the technique because it gives me allotted breaks and I don't feel like my study time will go on forever. I also like that it lets me know when my break has been long enough and it is time to get back to work which helps me procrastinate less. If you have not tried the technique before I would say check it out it may help.

FAR- 53, next time 5/5/16
B: 7/30/16
A:TBD
R:TBD

[Jess774]

@Koolcat There are sooo many subsections in the Becker FAR study program. I super behind as well. Like two whole entire sections behind. Your FAR exam is right around the corner! Mine is too. I plan on taking FAR before the end of January and am planning of retaking BEC by the end of February. I imagine it will be tough studying during tax season ahh! I like the timer idea. I'm going to try that tomorrow. Thanks!

@MrCPA511 I know that there is an app that I need to disable until I have passed. Studying at home is pretty pointless for me as well. Only took me 6 months to realize it. A lot of great points. Thanks Mr CPA!

REG - 75
BEC - 70, 64, 81!!!!
FAR - 67, 69, retake: Oct 2016
AUD - 8/25/16

[Missy]

I treated it like my job, set a schedule and the only cause to deviate would be if it would fly with work. If I was tired I'd ask myself if I was tired enough to call in sick to work. If it were Facebook or tv, I'd ask myself if those excuses would fly with my boss for missing a deadline. But also like work if “my time” was from 8-9 pm, that was always my time, and the exam didn't get any of that time.

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

[ocarina]

I second secluding yourself from society for a year! I had to do that for 9 months. I did find time for socializing on the weekends every now and then but nothing on a consistent basis. I did maintain all my social networking and exercise routines, but didn't do anything after work except study and it took up most of my weekends.

FAR - 78
AUD - 82
REG - 79
BEC - 78

Study Materials: Becker Self Study, NINJA Notes, NINJA MCQ for review
Started March 2015 and finished December 2015 all on first attempt. Licensed CPA Jan 2016.

IT Auditor/CyberSec Consultant in Public Accounting
Future goals: Learn IT Network infrastructure, obtain CISA & CISSP

[mitchmatch]

I am guilty as your are. For FAR REG and AUD i put every second and effort i had into those exams, come BEC and i cant get myself as motivated and i too procrastinate like their is no tomorrow. Its difficult but use the fact that you already passed an exam as motivation to push through, what helps me is the fear of losing a credit, that would be a disaster, everytime that comes to mind, i grab my book and fire on my laptop.

FAR-76 First attempt.
AUD-79 First attempt.
REG-79 First attempt.
BEC-79 First attempt.

Done!

BECKERS

[Author]

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