[shawn in VA]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering how people balancing busy season work, studying CPA, eating healthy, kids and spouse (if applicable), friends, exercise, and manage to eat healthy.

I have noticed without 7 hours of sleep, and if I don’t eat healthy and exercise I am just a mess and not productive. I am in my mid 30s so this may not be an issue for those in early 20s since energy was unlimited at that age for me at least

I have stopped happy hours, hanging out with friends, and most family as well. Seems like all I do, is work, commute, sleep, study, the most necessary errands, and a few moments with wife and 2 kids.

[shawn in VA]

I am surprised/wonder how people do the following…

1) study 600 hours for ONE part of the exam in less than 3 months. I have seen a couple posters do this. I can only ASSUME they have NO job.
2) sleep for like 6 hours and study and still have a busy season

I also have friends that will purposely take the exam at 5/5:30 PM to study ALL day (up to like 4PM) and go in and take the exam. I can never do that my mind needs a break 24 hours leading up to the exam.

[Track55]

To some of the prior posts:

Baloney – I took 22 months to pass the exams and still didn't have time to leave the house, except for work and 5K's.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Missy]

I was in my early 40's when I passed the exam. Up at 6 every day, dropped kids at school by 7:30, at work by 8. Had to use my lincr break to pick up my youngest after school at 2 and bring her to aftercare. Out of work at 5, pick up youngest, home for dinner then depending on the night either scouts, sports or meetings until at least 8. Home, throw in laundry and do dishes, homework for my masters classes from 9-10:30, study cpa from 10:30-12:30. I'd get some studying in while waiting for the kids at practices and listen to audio whenever I could. On weekends I worked retail but managed to get in four hours a day of study before the kids woke up and after my part time job. Took me exactly 12 months of this and I survived it. Wasn't fun and I was tired but I wasn't up against a score expiring and was glad I made the sacrifices I did. It's easy to say you don't have to shut everything else out, but some of us have no choice.

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

[Cruzer]

Doing cardio at the gym vs a ton of weights is better for the brain and gives it more oxygen to help study and crush the exam. I recommend doing an intense cardio session the day before the exam to get tired so you sleep well and feel good on exam day. Do nothing but show up to the exam on exam day and take the entire day off work. Drinking after is also highly recommended.

[imsotiffanyy]

Definitely workout, sleep well, and do whatever you need to make sure you're happy. A happy you is the only way to be in the best shape to study and beat this exam!

[bhunt815]

I gained 15 lbs and stopped exercising altogether while I was studying. I wish there was another way, but something had to give. Only so many hours and I have a family and a job.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[RandomRandy]

During non busy season it is possible to do other stuff besides study for the CPA exam. But right now with busy season, working 55 – 60 hours a week, the only thing i have time for is studying. I legit do not see friends, movies, family, hobbies or anything until after tax season. Its just the way it is right now. I hate it with every fiber in my body, but my drive to pass the exam surpasses my hate for it so I just keep pushing.

FAR: 74 1/15/16, 72 7/2/16 -_-
BEC: TBD
REG: TBD
AUD: TBD

"Nothing is impossible to him who will try" - Andy Bernard

[Namstut]

Ha! None of these things (nutrition, sleep or exercise) exist in my life right now! People gain weight, I lost almost 20 lbs since I started this journey about 10 months ago. My sleeps turned into 3-4 hour naps. I have a family and a very demanding 55-60 hour/week job, not counting the hours I have to work from home. I can't wait for it to be over. Sleep is all I can think about right now…

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[waffle_house]

I ate a lot of fast food and did not work out while studying for the CPA exam. 🙂

[Author]

Replies