cpastories
offlineMember
I don't have a "family" yet, but I have a demanding job, and during the time that I was/have been studying for the exam, there were times when I was just swamped in work. For the most part, work was a priority. The last thing you want is to have an unhappy boss or self-doubts of you competence at work while you are also stressed out about the exam. So, I did as good a job as I could at work, and then tried to create time to study. It was pretty tough, but I would like to think it worked.
(p.s. my g/f was very supportive when I needed to study - so that helped!)
Kricket
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I was sitting down to dinner tonight after a hard day of studying for FAR and my son asked me what was the first thing I was going to do after I pass all 4 parts of this test. I pondered his question over my Marie Callender's microwave chicken pot pie and looked over at the Pepperidge Farm lemon cake sitting on the counter thawing. I've decided that the first thing I'm going to do, after all of the crying, screaming and celebrating is done of course, is to cook a real meal; nothing out of a box, a bag, a can and doesn't require the use of the microwave. What is everyone else going to do?
Jeff - another71.com
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I bought myself a dirtbike :) Honda CR 250 2-stroke. It's fast :)
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadmin
"Fast and dangerous, Jeff. I hope you bought a helmet! Sorry, the mom in me came out there!"
I don't ride without one :) My six year old rides a dirt bike as well...I just bought him an 80cc for him to grow into. My 4 year old rides a 50cc with training wheels.
I've been riding for 9 years now...I take my bike to the mountains once a year usually.
Anna
offlineMember
And I... first of all, will be continuing getting my auditing experience (just starting work in mid-size accounting firm in December).
Second, I will buy myself some jewelry, like a birthday gift (may sound silly, but that's what I do for myself for reward;-)).
And third, I will start researching on law school part-time programs and bar exams. I think I want to be a tax attorney... I think. Maybe.
kristyhana
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I haven't figured out how to balance it all, but thankfully it's almost over for me. The first thing I'm going to do is CLEAN MY HOUSE! OMG It's horrendous. My daughter hasn't been too neglected since I mostly studied after she went to bed, but I want to do something fun just me and her. And then finally SLEEP, for like 2 days straight :) Being a single, working mom and studying for the CPA has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. It better be worth it!
Anna
offlineMember
Kristyhana, going through college full-time while giving birth to two children and now studying for this exam with them... I understand you so well! But I am sure that you and all of us who work hard will be rewarded for that. CPA is named to be the most trusted professions in US, plus it is so versatile - you can do anything you want with it, go in any direction. I am sure that everything will turn out great for us!
lisa2bcpa
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I agree with MsA...it's been hard but well worth it. I have 2 kids under two years old, I have a gradeschooler also, and I work evenings teaching accounting, business and finance at a community college to bring in a little money. Studying usually occurs between 9-11pm on the weekends:(
CPAWannaBe
offlineMember
Balance? Are you kidding me? Studying for the exam has consumed my life. I have an 8 year old, a 4 year old and a very neglected husband who has patiently been trying to take up the slack to let me study. I also work full time and have not done any bookkeeping since June, so I am way behind there. October 15 deadline is coming up now for tax extensions so that will be another nightmare.
I went to a "live" Becker review course for a week or so (two hours away) and noticed the people in my class were all either still in school or fresh graduates. No jobs. No kids. The "live" Becker review was merely a video of what you can purchase online so I opted to do it on my own and save the trip.
I wish the AICPA would reconsider this 18 month window. They take so long to grade the tests and then don't test for 4 months out of the year. I do taxes from January - April, so that time is completely out of the question for any studying.
My hat goes off to all the seasoned people, like myself, who are even attempting the CPA exam and I bow down to the ones that can pass, especially after failing.
deltacpa21
offlineMember
I truly admire those of you who have FT jobs & families and are working to pass the exam. I don't know how you guys do it, but keep your heads up! You're going to make it!
As for me, since I will find out my final score around Christmas, I will be drinking heavily with friends & family, screaming at the top of my lungs, sobbing, praising GOD, etc. And of course, figuring out what I'm going to buy for my new apartment with my CPA bonus from work :)
TD
offlineMember
i'm taking a much need vacation with the wife and kids, possibly to Italy. I'm a life long surfer, and usually go someone foreign/exotic with good waves and/or culture. but i want to leave the surfboards behind, and go on an adventure, just the family (i have a 5yr old daughter and 2.5 yr old son. I'm also gonna buy a HDTV (big one) so i can watch my Angels bomb out to the Sox in the ALDS, and possibly the Dodgers go all the way.
kmcauliffe
offlineMember
Since most people reading this thread have kids, you may find this amusing...You know studying for the CPA exam has taken over your life when you give your 19 month old 6 different colored highlighters to color in his Mickey Mouse coloring book because he ate most of the crayons and they are the only close substitute at hand. Since I save all of his "artwork", everytime I look at that dayglo Mickey it will remind of this time in my life and I know I will laugh. Maybe not now, and maybe not even when I pass it all, but I definitely will laugh one day.
TD
offlineMember
there are random pages in all my becker books that either have my 2 yr old's scribbles, or my 5 yr old daughter's hearts, flowers, or sun's. i also have arial and belle stickers on the covers. i have at least 5 different custom artwork bookmarks.
they make me smile when i come across them and remember the main reason that i am putting myself and my family thru all this.
missfuturecpa
offlineMember
My husband's response after I took my last section of the exam before Thanksgiving, "I can't wait to have my wife back", my 13 year old, "Can we go shopping now?", my 16 year old "Gee, now Mom is going to actually pay attention when I ask to go somewhere"...me...where to begin...the house, the green stuff in the back of the refrigerator, the dust balls blowing around the wooden floors. Now, I have no excuse not to cook, clean, run all the errands, pay attention to what my kids are doing...oh my, don't I have some studying to do?
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadmin
This is timely...I wrote this exactly one year ago to the day...
missfuturecpa
offlineMember
Jeff~ I loved reading your list of 5 things to do after passing the exam. I'm not quite there yet, still waiting on my auditing score. I need to wait two weeks until I find out whether number 5 applies or not! I've got a list a mile long of "things to do" on my first day off work without studying and so far, I haven't crossed anything off the list. I don't miss studying one bit, but I am just not ready to tackle the list. Perhaps, I should start thinking of an excuse for not being able to visit relatives just in case I do pass!
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REG (83) 7/09; BEC (85) 8/09; FAR (82) 10/09; AUD (WAITING ON THIS) 11/09
missfuturecpa
offlineMember
Cowpatty~ I agree...I've got huge black circles under my eyes from late nights studying, a dirty house, a neglected family, not to mention I'm out of shape from sitting at work all week and studying all night. I haven't gone anywhere without flashcards for the past six months but....freedom is just around the corner for us with one my exam to pass!
It is worth it...think of the value of having your CPA. If your current employer doesn't appreciate this, than you have an ace in your pocket for your job search!
ginabiniCT
offlineMember
I'm hoping this will be a very nice Christmas for me this year. I graduated in May 2008, and started my online Masters program right away. Started work at a Big 4 firm that August, still taking at least one class per semester. Started the exam process last January, on top of work and school and trying to not neglect my long distance boyfriend!! I'm waiting on my last score (AUD), and I will be done with my masters next week. I'm very much looking forward to being able to breathe again!! Hoping for a very nice Christmas gift somewhere around 12/18....... Then (hopefully) relaxing for a few weeks before busy season kicks up and my, now, fiance and I start seriously wedding planning!!! :o)
Anna
offlineMember
GinabiniCT, lots of respect for your schedule, grades, everything... hope you do have a great Christmas this year.
If you don't mind sharing - which online master's program are you taking? I was looking into them, but couldn't find something that excited me much.
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadmin
Anita - I would remain patient unless you have something much better to turn to.
With the economy, accountants are just happy to have jobs right now.
I didn't get a raise...just an 'atta boy. I didn't even get a lunch. :/
I'm the only CPA in my department though.
Haterz.
ginabiniCT
offlineMember
Anna- I'm doing the UCONN MSA online program. I liked it a lot. The program is 10 classes, with 2 required classes and the rest are electives. One of the required classes is a Tax class (which I'm positive the reason I did so well on REG). The other required class is a one-week "in residence" class, that's basically an intro to the program. We had to be on campus at UCONN for one week, for a 9am to 5pm day and that was the whole 3-credit class. That's the only time you have to be at UCONN. There were people there from all over: one from Texas, one from Cali, etc. The students from out of state stayed at a hotel nearby. So that's the only slightly annoying part. Everything else has been great! All quizes/exam are open book, you don't have to go to a testing center or anything. Lots of group work, which is always interesting!
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