I'm doing REGS right now. Most of what helped me to understand Regs came from doing real life tax prep, and I found I could relate it to the videos/book to lend it meaning.
Ironically, I am running FAR alongside REGS, and – at first – I was a bit daunted because I think FAR is about 2X the work than REGS. However, I only took two tax courses out of the twenty accounting courses for my academic degree, so – in order to break down the workload – I realized they didn't teach me four years worth of financial accounting for nothing. The point is – try to leverage what you learned in school with what Becker presents to you. I think it might help you to break down the problems a bit better, and then develop some understanding of what Becker shows in the videos.
When I do the videos – I think they talk so fast that the information runs in one ear and out the other, and it feels like useless study. To counter this, I run through them taking handwritten notes. This may or may not work for you. I'm a tactile learner, and I think this tends to help me isolate information to focus on what they are trying to explain. The point is, try to make the most productive use of your time.
In one of REGS final law videos, Olinto tells us, “Do the HWK problems. No pain, no gain. It's where you'll get the most bang for your buck.” The PassMaster MC HWKS do a good job of communicating an explanation when you get something wrong, and the book/lecture is right there in the toolbar when you need it, so this is where you could kind of combine the book/lecture with the HWK. Again, I take handwritten notes when I am doing the hwks, like a tally sheet of stuff I got wrong, so I can isolate what I need to understand better.
Also, while studying, I've become a non-paid spokesperson for 5-Hour Energy Drink. So, if you dont have a heart condition or high blood pressure, then buy a little pink bottle to save the ta-ta's and pass your exam. 😉 Just dont do more than one a day, and give yourself time to rest it off so you don't go into sleep debt.
Good luck. I'm in the same boat. A lot of us are. Everyone knows it's *supposed* to be difficult. The companies sympathize with this. But, then, remember you probably enjoy learning too, so try to build on your strengths.
HTH.
wm
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