[Affekerl]

I passed AUD and BEC on the first try last November and January, but have since done virtually nothing. I need to get in gear, so I can finish off REG and FAR before AUD expires and they go and change the test around. So, I’m shooting to be done by April 30, 2017. Any suggestions on how to deal with the roiling pit of anxiety that occurs in my stomach when I think about studying?

On the scheduling side, I’m trying to decide if I should do an attempt this year. I studied like crazy for FAR last year, but was prevented from taking it by an injury. Is it worth it to schedule an exam for December 10th and study for less than two weeks?

AUD: 81 (10/30/15)
BEC: 80 (01/19/16)
REG: XX (05/XX/16)
FAR: XX (07/XX/16)

[laxman06]

First thing is, you clearly know what it takes to get the test done so that is awesome!

Honestly, you are halfway there. FORCE yourself to sit and start reading/studying and think about the raises, opportunities and potential once you have finished. Don't drag it out like I did. I started, failed a few times, wasnt sure if I really wanted to do it. Procrastinated, delayed, said F it. Got married, had a kid and then got really focused. Now I have BEC left. TRUST ME. DONT WAIT ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND HAVE TIME. It does not get easier with kids in the picture.

I cant give you advice on FAR since I dont know how far along you were. Buy NINJA MCQ, and hammer out questions and try it at the beginning of Jan?

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm also a really, really bad procrastinator. Here are a few things that help me:

1. Give yourself less time to study instead of more. I only gave myself five weeks for FAR, and I've been much better about making myself study than I was with REG since my feet are to the fire. I think being on a time crunch is good for procrastinators haha. Since you've already studied FAR once I'd say go for the December attempt, if you have time to put in a lot of hours of studying during the next two weeks.

2. When you schedule your test, write out a detailed schedule of what material you'll cover each day until the exam. It's harder to avoid studying when you know how far behind in your schedule that will put you.

3. Give yourself little rewards for studying. When I'm really unmotivated I tell myself that for every 10 or 15 questions I work, I can watch 5 minutes of Netflix or something like that. It's not the most efficient way to study but it's better than not studying at all.

4. Go to the library or somewhere else where there are no distractions, and leave your phone in your car.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[Over_It]

If the thought of losing BEC and AUD and having to start all over isn't enough to motivate you… then I don't know what possibly could.

[Missy]

I simply treated it like a job, I had a set schedule and was expected to accomplish certain things during those hours. I didn't get to decide when I felt like it and even if I wasn't feeling well unless it was significant enough that I'd miss a day's work for it was no excuse not to study. If you have the mindset that it's somehow not optional you'll knock out your last two. I would advise against trying to cram FAR in two weeks if you haven't looked at it in a year.

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

[EWC115]

I'm with @Over_It. The thought of losing credit kept me from procrastinating too much.

Honestly though, my advice to procrastinators is to make a routine. Study at the same time every weekday and make a calendar.

[.]

I used a spreadsheet schedule to keep track of how much I needed to study everyday. That helped a lot.

When the reading got boring, I'd read the book out loud. Business law, especially, gets really dry. I'd start feeling sleepy if I didn't read that out loud.

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

Wiley CPA Excel & Ninja MCQ

[Tncincy]

I agree with the others, give yourself time (Mid Jan or early Feb), do the mcq's, and stay on schedule. You might not be able to be intense everyday but plan to so something. Don't allow yourself to go without doing anything, if it's just one chapter, or rewriting notes….You can do so get it done.
So can you really watch 5 min of netflix and go back to studying? I don't have netflix but I know if your mind get into a relaxed or social mood …..so much for studying. (just wondering)

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

[Anonymous]

@tncincy I actually find it easier to focus on the MCQs after the Netflix breaks. I try not to do that too often because it takes so much longer to get through the homework, but whenever I get to the point where I think I'll puke if I see another MCQ it helps me keep working until I've done everything I need to do for the day.

[Author]

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