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Subject Topic: Exam Life - Exam/Life Balance (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
  
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Fuhrman2408
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Posted: 26 Sep 2008 at 15:46 | IP Logged  

I studied for FAR from the middle of June until I took the exam on Aug 22... during that time, I did a ton of stuff.  I didn't really cut down on my social life at all, I just cut down on things that were wasting my time.  A few suggestions that helped me have a life and get work done at the same time.

1) Don't waste time when you exercise.  I lift 4-5 days per week and a workout used to take me 90 minutes.  I cut out all the bs-ing and long rests in between sets and cut my time in the gym down to 50-60 minutes.  Doesn't sound like much but adds up to about 3 hours a week.

2) Don't waste time doing nothing.  Aka, watching tv -- especially if its something you aren't really interested in.

3) Don't sleep in so late on weekends.  I used to sleep in to 11 or noon on Saturdays and Sundays.  But now, I wake up around 9 and I'm usually done with my studying for the day by noon.  That leaves the rest of my day free if I want to do something.  Or I can pick it up again around 4 and study for a while and still be done early enough to go out.

4) Go to bed at a decent hour.  I can get a lot more efficient studying done when I'm working on a good night of sleep.  I usually get about 8-9 hours now.  Sounds like alot but if you go to bed at 10 or 11 and wake up at 7, its pretty easy to get that amount.

 

Note - I am 23 and living with my girlfriend.  She is in dental school so shes studying even more than I am.  It makes things a lot easier for me.  I don't live near my family, I just moved here so I don't have a lot of friends yet either and I have no kids.  So I essentially don't really have many distractions so these minor changes were plenty for me.

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CPAwishful
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Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 20:14 | IP Logged  

I am struggling with balancing time with my family (hubby and a 10 month old baby) and studying and it really wearing down on my marriage.  My husband is AWESOME when it comes to watching our baby girl while I study at night after work and on the weekends but he has become tired and impatient.  I think a majority of it is not understanding how difficult this test is and all the time needed to prepare. 

Does anyone have any tips on balancing study time with family time because I haven't figured it out???? 

I know I am an extreme studier (more than 20 hours/week I have dedicated to studying) in some people's minds, but I studied just as hard for FAR and BARELY passed.  I refuse to get that close again because next time I might not be so lucky!

 



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CPAwishful
FAR 8/28/08 76
AUD 11/1/08 81
REG 1/17/09 79
BEC 4/11/09   61 devastated, retake 8/1/09 PASSED 76!!!!
licensed CPA, Texas
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sla_mo
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Posted: 27 Oct 2008 at 23:03 | IP Logged  

Sounds like a tough situation.  I understand being an extreme studier.  A suggestion may be to chat with your husband and focus on the fact that if all goes well (due to your dedicated studies), you could be done in just a few short months.

Also, maybe work out a schedule to take a couple hour break over the span of a weekend or even on Saturday & Sunday to give him a chance to get away.  1-2 hours will not destroy all of your hard work.



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BEC-July 3, 2008: (82)
FAR-October 3, 2008: (92)
AUD-November 26, 2008: (91)
REG-February 27,2009: (95)
MO Ethics-March 3, 2009: (93)

BECKER 2008
LICENSED CPA IN MISSOURI
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arushi_13
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Posted: 28 Oct 2008 at 01:14 | IP Logged  

CPAwishful I kind of am in a similar situation as u are. I started my journey to CPA in Jan 2007 when I first got my credentials evaluated as I have a foreign degree. I was short a substantial amount of accounting units. At that time my son was 1 year old. I still remember how tough it was for me with work and a kid...somehow I survived..there were times I would break down but then somehow gather the courage to start again...Unlike your husband my husband could not help me that much as he had to work long hours and I don't blame him....

I gave my first paper FARE in April 2007 and with God's grace I passed..With great difficulty somehow I managed to give AUD in Oct ...I still have 2 more to go...

My only advice to u...
There are times when u will feel helpless and tired..there won't be any friends or any support around u and this journey would seem tired and long and lonesome..but hang in there...There are so many out there like us...maybe in worse situation than u and me....Try to do what u can do and make the best of it...try to get hold of someone who is giving the same papers as u and try to form a study group where each one of u will motivate the other...
A good quote I found which really motivated me...
TOUGH TIMES DO NOT LAST BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO.

All the best to u!!!
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arushi_13
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Posted: 28 Oct 2008 at 01:15 | IP Logged  

Correction 1st paper in April 2008.
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