[Jennifer241]

First off let me begin by saying, I am ashamed and proud of myself all at the same time.

I had this week off from work planned since the end of tax season. At our firm there are no real “slow” times, as soon as tax season is done we go straight to work wrapping up our 12/31 audits. So this week is my first week off this entire year, and this is the norm for me. Knowing my schedule my best friend called me to see if I was taking any time off. Not wanting to lie I told her yes, well that was my first mistake.

We just recently purchased a house in March, and it is our dream house, and my best friend wants to see it. We have been trying to plan for years for her to come see me, as we live in different states and we are both career oriented it has been difficult, so she said that she could probably get some time off and come up. I agreed to this ONLY because I felt she wouldn’t get the time off from work, she has a 6/30 year end and is a supervisor in a billing department at a large hospital. I thought, no way is she going to be able to take a whole week off! Wrong again.

So here I thought I was going to have an entire week of studying, with no plans. As the days drew closer to my vacation I got more and more upset. I talked at length to my husband who told me that I need to do with my vacation what I want to do. 6 months of working without a vacation, it’s time to focus on what *I* want. So, now, how to fix my dilemma.

I took the easy way out, I lied. My friend, being career oriented, I knew she would understand if my job needed me and I had to cancel. If I told her that I chose to stay home, and study… well I just don’t think she would understand that since I study all the time. I called her up, told her something came up and I had to work this week. She sighed on the phone, and was thinking it was all for the best because she was stressed trying to get her work done to come up to see me.

Part of me feels horrible for lying, but the other part of me is so pleased with myself. I will get through HALF of my chapters in one week! I have an 18 month window staring me in the face, and I needed this week to study!

What have you done, or what would you do to study? This is true dedication right here.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Zaq]

You didn't lie to her; you got some major work to do. Be sure to make the time count!

I blocked Facebook and Reddit at the same time. Those were my goto websites whenever I wanted to take a “small break” which would usually end up turning into a “45 minutes? WTF” break. My efficiency level has been off the roof since, but it's been extremely difficult resisting the urge to check. Even when I have free time, out of principle I refuse to go back until I finish up with my next exam in July.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[overapplied]

As soon as Jeff posts the REG update for the ninja notes I'm going into a self-imposed forum/(majority of Internet communication exile). When I emerge, blinking in the sunlight in the middle of August this test should be done.

If there are things you want in this life sometimes you have to sacrifice and accomplish your goals. As @Inferno says above me… you will be working.

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[ImaCPA168]

What's done is done. Both you and your friend will get over it.

To avoid similar future heartache, don't make any more personal commitments until after you're done with the exams. That's how it is. Public accounting and CPA exams, one of the deadliest combo in terms of killing off all social and family contact. Just tell yourself that until you pass, the words vacation, party, hanging-out…etc., are not in your vocabulary 🙂

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[smp73]

I think we have all been there.

I officially adopted the hermit lifestyle for my last go-round with REG. I did nothing social. I woke up studied, went to work, came home walked the dogs and/or went to the gym (alternating nights) and studied until I fell asleep. Weekends were just studying with a dog walk/ gym trip to break it up. I did listen to audio while working out.

I turned down invitations to hang out/get dinner/go to brunch. I asked people to not text or call me (and when asking nicely didnt work I was blunt about it). Other than colleagues I only spoke to my mom during that time. It was ridiculous but it paid off!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[ruggercpa2b]

Jennifer241 its so hard sometimes for people to understand that instead of just hanging you actually want to study. I use work as an excuse all the time. I tell people I am traveling when I am holed up in my study cave all weekend because I have no desire to drink and people can never seem to grasp that concept.

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.

[Anonymous]

I am on a self imposed social hiatus! My poor boyfriend is being sorely neglected and I type out notes and study while I am doing an hour of cardio at the gym four days a week. My nights are filled with the excitement of the Becker lectures (NOT!) and I get in bed with my laptop and MCQs after that. I’ve even been known to pop out of bed at 5 am and come to the office two hours early to study concepts that are giving me difficulty.

My friends all think I’ve lost my mind (I don’t need to be a CPA but I’ve somehow made it a mission… ) and my family has given up on me.

Once this is over though—I’m getting my life back!

[Onmyway82]

I think the biggest thing I gave up was a family reunion in Hawaii, that one hurt. But I also gave up my social life while I was studying. My friends and family didn't understand but I had to do it. It does seem like no one understands the sacrifice you have to make unless they are studying for something too. Those are the only people that will know what you are going through. But I can tell you it is totally worth it!

FAR- 70, 68, 90
AUD- 72, 85
REG- 74, 83
BEC- 81
ETHICS- 90

CA CPA
CMA

[Jennifer241]

@Onmyway82

Well your sacrifices have definitely paid off! Congrats on your pass. Do I see a holiday in Hawaii in your near future?

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

I had a REG exam scheduled for mid July 2012. I had spent a week gambling and having fun with my Mom and sister in Biloxi at the Hard Rock Hotel the week of June 18th. We had so much fun, my mom hit a big jackpot and it was a great weekend. I came home and turned into my hermit self and focused on my exam. My mom's health started to decline the week of my exam. Instead of rescheduling, my plan was to take two weeks off after my exam to go home and spend time with her. So, I took the exam as planned and then headed south to Georgia. She died while I was enroute. I got a 71 on that exam. Yeah…that was the only time I ever seriously considered throwing in the towel. =(

[Onmyway82]

@Jennifer241 – Thanks, I was seriously considering it. Although now I am about to start studying for the CMA, maybe once I have that done.

FAR- 70, 68, 90
AUD- 72, 85
REG- 74, 83
BEC- 81
ETHICS- 90

CA CPA
CMA

[Zaq]

@Baxter: Damn, dude. Ugh. That's really sad.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Anonymous]

Aww…Inferno…it's Ok…we had such a nice visit a few weeks before and she was so alive. We make the best choices we can and go forward. She called me the mornign of the exam to tell me good luck. I missed the call but I have a wonderful voice mail that I have saved. No one (not even the docs) expected her health to decline as quickly as it did. I sure miss that great lady!

[Jennifer241]

@BaxterCPA So precious that you have a wonderful memory right before her passing, wish so many of us were that lucky.

Now THAT is determination!

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

Last night, I asked my husband to change my FaceBook password until I pass FAR so I won't be distracted…which he did. =( I saw this idea on another thread and thought…Man, that is a GOOD idea… I miss my friends and all the pics of cute kittens… hahaha

[joch0803]

I am a huge T.V. addict. Especially watching old shows on Netflix and Amazon instant video. I love to start at season 1 episode one and will continue to watch until I finish all available episodes, using up all available free time I am not at work.

Last week I had my coworker change my amazon and Netflix passwords and gave my DVR remote to my sister. If I have a great day of studying on the weekends, I will go to the movies as a treat.

Its amazing how much time you have when you don't watch T.V. haha

Audit 10/2012- 77
Reg- 1/7/13- 82
Financial-2/25/13- 78
BEC- 74,66,81!

License pending : )

Ethics- Passed
Experience- Done

Using Becker self study.
**For BEC retake using Ninja Blitz, Ninja Notes, Ninja Audio, and WTB (my Becker expired)

[Author]

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