Cant stick to my study plan

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #177937
    IMRU
    Member

    So far I have failed BEC and FAR. I am typically very organized so it’s really easy to sit down and make my study plan and all that. However, I just can’t seem to actually follow through. I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel so overwhelmed and unmotivated. I think about studying all the time, but I never actually do it. That ends up stressing me out even more. If I do happen to start studying, I can only manage to stay focused for a short period of time. It’s so frustrating. I’ll tell myself ok just take a break and come back to it, but that never happens. Does anyone have any advice? I am at my wits end. I feel so upset with myself.

    I have my study plan all set for REG at this point I should be done with R3 in Becker, but I haven’t even gotten through R1. It’s so frustrating. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    BEC 65 retake 5/18/13
    FAR 64
    REG 7/11/13
    AUD 8/31/13

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • Author
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  • #418445
    readyforlife
    Member

    I see that you recently sat for BEC. How did you feel about the re-test? I personally would stick with one section until you receive a passing score before moving onto the next

    AUD - 51, 80
    REG - 84
    FAR - 15, 29, 55, 80
    BEC - 65, 72, 69, 76 (expired), 83

    #418446
    SammyJ
    Member

    I think you need to do a self-analysis. For me, I realized that I am addicted to the internet. It's in my blood now. What I did was make sure I never go online before studying for atleast 4 hours each day. Have a family member or roomate hide your laptop will get the trick done. But dont even let yourself check your email. You can convince yourself that all you're doing is checking your email for a few minutes, but that sometimes can spiral into hours and soon you have lost most of the days and all your motivation is gone. Wake up early like 8am and study. (assuming you arent working). When it's around 1-2m, then allow yourself some intenet time. Even if you end up spending too much time online, its alright you are already have 4 hours in the books.

    Thats just me. I was addicted to going online. Even when I did Becker's homework problems on my computer, I would turn off my wifi. You need to find all the distractions in your life. If you tend to falls asleep studying on your bed, THEN STOP DOING IT. Go to the library and study. You are less likely to fall asleep if there are other people around. If you're addicted to internet, have someone hide your computer. If you have a lot of pesky friends who always asks you to hang out with them, then explain to them you need to study and never to bother you again. If they make a fuss, then they aren't true friends.

    You can't survive four exams, if you are constantly making excuses. Be real. Don't lie to yourself. Identify what is holding you back and cut those things off right now. You need to find that inner strength. Good luck!

    FAR-81!!
    AUD-69, Retake: 84!!
    REG-86!!
    BEC-81!!
    Education- Done
    Ethics- August 2013
    Experience- 7 Months of CPA Experience and counting!

    #418447
    SammyJ
    Member

    I think you need to do a self-analysis. For me, I realized that I am addicted to the internet. It's in my blood now. What I did was make sure I never go online before studying for atleast 4 hours each day. Have a family member or roomate hide your laptop will get the trick done. But dont even let yourself check your email. You can convince yourself that all you're doing is checking your email for a few minutes, but that sometimes can spiral into hours and soon you have lost most of the days and all your motivation is gone. Wake up early like 8am and study. (assuming you arent working). When it's around 1-2m, then allow yourself some intenet time. Even if you end up spending too much time online, its alright you are already have 4 hours in the books.

    Thats just me. I was addicted to going online. Even when I did Becker's homework problems on my computer, I would turn off my wifi. You need to find all the distractions in your life. If you tend to falls asleep studying on your bed, THEN STOP DOING IT. Go to the library and study. You are less likely to fall asleep if there are other people around. If you're addicted to internet, have someone hide your computer. If you have a lot of pesky friends who always asks you to hang out with them, then explain to them you need to study and never to bother you again. If they make a fuss, then they aren't true friends.

    You can't survive four exams, if you are constantly making excuses. Be real. Don't lie to yourself. Identify what is holding you back and cut those things off right now. You need to find that inner strength. Good luck!

    FAR-81!!
    AUD-69, Retake: 84!!
    REG-86!!
    BEC-81!!
    Education- Done
    Ethics- August 2013
    Experience- 7 Months of CPA Experience and counting!

    #418448
    neika822
    Participant

    I was the SAME WAY when I first started studying. The stress and anxiety just turned me off from studying, and I'd never do it, but the fact that I wasn't studying was stressing me out. Full circle!

    I think you just need to get serious with your studying. Tell yourself that this is IT, you're going to pass this time. It sucks. You have no free time. You'll be tired. But you have to do it if you REALLY want it!!!

    And try the pomodoro method. It's basically 25 minutes of study time and then a 5 minute break. After 3 (or 4?) cycles, you're allowed a longer break. That helped me. There's a few free apps you can download.

    It took me two years to get serious about studying. And so far, I've passed two exams (after taking 3 in 2011 and never passing). Although I say that now, but FAR is kicking my butt.

    Good luck!!

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

    #418449
    Tncincy
    Participant

    When I find it hard to stick to my study program, I make sure I something every day. Even if its just re-reading my notes, I do something. I have better success on power weekends though because my mind is set that I MUST STUDY.

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

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

    #418450
    memmy29
    Participant

    I shoot for a “study time per day” goal of 4 hours for weekdays, 8 hours for weekend days. This is for working full-time. You should be able to do at least 6 hours each day without working. The hardest part is getting started…but you'll find if you reach your “time per day” goal, that guilty feeling that stresses you out will disappear.

    AUD - 84
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 77
    REG - 75
    So glad to be done!

    "If you're going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill

    AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

    Licensed CPA

    CIA Exam
    Part 1 - Passed
    Part 2 - Passed
    Part 3 - Passed

    #418451
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Oh I hate feeling guilty for not studying…….

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

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

    #418452
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi IMRU,

    Honestly, I think it is a great sign that you are even ‘worrying' about not following through your schedule.

    Most people would rather give up, or keep trying to stick with the plans that just won't work for them – which is not ideal.

    So we can get your ‘will' to study out of the way –

    As far as plans go, it happens all the time – to almost everyone I know of (including myself)

    My suggestion is if the plan isn't workingk, may be it is time to re-arrange your plan to suit you better.

    For instance, instead of reading books ‘cover to cover' (it could be boring), try focusing on ‘Flashcards' first to get the basic concept, then you can go back to reading books.

    You might have to completely scrap your plan and start a whole new plan.

    I say this is just your trial & error process in finding out what works for you.

    #418453
    oilgaslb
    Member

    I'm so glad you posted this – it's as if you said everything I was thinking half way through studying for BEC. In the end I honestly gave up. I find out Friday (hopefully) what I got but I'm not expecting much. If I fail and have to retake, it will be like starting over fresh on everything except IT and Corp Gov.

    I've never heard of the pomodoro method, thanks @neika! I just downloaded an app so that I don't forget come next round.

    Any suggestions for wasted time just sitting, staring, doing nothing – no TV, no internet, no phone…simply no motivation with no distractions?

    #2576949
    Anonymous
    Participant

    Same here

    Stop goofing around. Put headphone on, airplane mode on baby. Wifi Off. Yeah buddy! Stay focus! Soon I will be a cpa.
    #2576952
    Anonymous
    Participant

    Same here I need to be more serious. Put my phone on airplane mode, And WIFI off. Yes off during the time I am trying to focus and study. Tell friends and family’s to back off. The only thing allow is work. Work barely min to pay bills. I Workout when I need a break. This life of solitude is the only way.

    Stop goofing around. Put headphone on, airplane mode on baby. Wifi Off. Yeah buddy! Stay focus! Soon I will be a cpa.
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