Do I need to give up my hobby to study for the CPA exam?

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  • #159566
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I’m currently studying for the CPA exam. I work about 40 hours a week. But I’m also going for Salsa lessons once a week. It’s a 2 hour class. Do I have to give up my Salsa hobby to devote as much time as possible to study for the CPA exam? Or is it recommended that I still stick with my hobby?

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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  • #269527
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    At 2 hours a week, i doubt sticking to it will help you fail and dropping it will help you pass……

    #269528
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Here is the thing, you have to do what is best for you.

    I work a full time job in public accounting and also a part-time job as a sales associate for a publicly traded fashion company. I generally work 10 hours total over the weekend at my part-time job…and I had numerous people telling me I needed to drop that job like it was hot in order to pass this exam.

    Well, I am now 75% of the way there (Yes I realize that 75% is not as good as 100% and it has been a bit of a struggle) and am still working both jobs. My 2nd job actually serves as an outlet and break from my accountant life so it helps me to unwind.

    So, with that said, if this is something you truly enjoy doing and feel like it will help you to get through all this stress with the exam, it then I say keep going to your lessons! Everyone needs to have an outlet when they're going through this process. 🙂

    Best of luck to you!

    #269529
    Soproudofmyself
    Participant

    I agree with Becks! I work full time too and use the gym as my outlet. The gym after work helps me relax and I'm more focused when I get home to study. I say stick with the salsa classes and if you feel guilty, make up the time by waking up an hour early that day! Good luck…with the studying and the salsa classes too =) lol

    #269530
    Herbieherb
    Participant

    Its only once a week. You should be able to manage. Count that towards your R&R…I give myself 1 day a week off from studies.

    NEW YORK- DONE

    #269531
    WhyEvenTry
    Participant

    Stick with your hobby if it is not too time consuming. That will be your only way to remain sane throughout the studying process. I play in a soccer league to serve as my CPA exam induced stress reliever.

    BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
    FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
    REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
    AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

    #269532
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks guys! I'm so glad I don't have to give up an enjoyable hobby to get through this exam. I used to go 2 days a week for 4 hours but when I made my 2011 New Year's resolution to pass this exam once an for all, I decided to cut it down to 2 hrs a week. It was a painful decision because it will slow down the learning process in my dancing, but one has to make some sacrifices if they want to get through this exam. I'm just glad I don't have to cut it out completely.

    #269533
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ok, I’m going to confess. Since I’m currently studying for FAR (to be taken 4/2/11) and work full time, I decided to not continue my hobby in order to give myself as much time as possible for the exam. But here’s the thing, I’m studying like crazy. I get home at 6pm, eat real quickly and study until 11pm, sometimes until midnight depending on how much material I’m covering that night. Then I wake up at 6am every morning dead tired. I study all day on the weekends. I’m must’ve studied 20 hours this week already and I plan to study another 10-15 more over these next few days. It’s insane. The thing is….I failed FAR four times in the past two years and have decided to pass this once and for all. But I must admit, it was my fault. I failed because I didn’t put the effort in before. I didn’t study nowhere near 20 hours a week. So, I’ve decided to work as hard as heck this time to pass this exam with flying colors. I promised myself that 2011 was going to be my year of accomplishment.

    But like I said, I’m stressed out like crazy. I stopped my hobby for 2 weeks already and because of that, I’m not giving myself a moments rest. It’s basically work 40 hours a week and then studying for the remainder time. That has been my life. I’ve never turned on the TV once.

    With that said, I think everyone here was right by telling me to continue with my once a week hobby. While it does take away time from my schedule, it was my only form of relaxation and it was the only thing that was keeping my sanity during this studying process. So, I think I may decide to continue with my hobby after all before I lose my mind.

    #269534
    herbert7890
    Participant

    I gave up my main hobby (playing golf) since I started studying mid June 2010. I have only played twice since then but I plan to start again on march! Now I will need a lot of practice to bring down my handicap to 5-6 again.

    FAR 88 - BEC 86 - AUD 90 - REG 85

    #269535
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hmm, well see your scores? THOSE are the scores I'm aiming for. Maybe I should not continue my hobby after all. I will resume it once I pass all four parts. So, maybe it's best to give up my hobby for now so my mind is fully focused on the materials for the CPA exam. Hmm. I really don't know. Heh!

    #269536
    Ahmad
    Participant

    Dump the old hobby and make the CPA your new hobby.

    #269537
    whitesoxfancpa
    Participant

    Keep your hobby. It's better to study 20 relaxed, QUALITY hours than 30 miserable, stressed, anxious hours. While I was studying I always closed the book and logged off of Becker by 10:00 to watch my hero, Peter Griffin, on WGN. I always had to have something to look forward to. During the week, it was Family Guy. On Saturdays, it was going out at night. I never wanted to go to sleep immediately after studying. Yuck.

    The key here is QUALITY study hours. If you are stressed and upset because you don't have a release (your hobby), then what good are the hours you're putting in? How efficient could they be if you're miserable and jittery? You NEED a balance while studying. Your balance is Salsa lessons. Enjoy them!

    AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

    #269538
    potatogun
    Participant

    I agree with whitesoxfan,

    Learn how to manage your time. Obviously the CPA is priority but make sure to plan and set aside time for yourself too.

    FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

    #269539
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank you all for your input, but I have to agree with Ahmad. I really do enjoy Accounting a lot, so I really need to make it my new hobby. Many people say Accounting is boring, but I don't say that. I love it. I'm really enjoying the studying process even though it's stressful. It's a stress that I'm enjoying, if that makes any sense, lol. If I'm going to have a hobby during this rough (but enjoyable) time, it will have to be something that's 100% relaxing, stress-free, and fun. Salsa is just fun and sometimes relaxing, but it's very stressful at the same time. The thing with Salsa is that partner dancing with different people can be hard at times. Also, the Salsa school I got to give us tests every 3 months to see if we're eligible to be moved up to the next level. In order to pass, it requires hard work and practice. The CPA exam is enough to worry about. I don't want to worry about taking a Salsa test and pleasing my dance partners. Salsa requires a lot of competition and hard work and that's a lot to have on my plate while I'm studying for the CPA exam. It's kind of like karate. Imagine studying for your CPA exam and also worrying about getting that blue or black belt. Salsa is the same thing.

    So if I'm going to find some time for myself during these months I'm studying, it would have to be something very relaxing like watching TV or yoga. Something like Salsa will have to wait.

    #269540
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ok, I'm very indecisive, lol. I think I may go back to Salsa after all. While I'm enjoying the studying process, it is causing me to lose my mind. I guess I'm suffering from a bad case of overstudying, which is probably not a good thing. I need to release because I'm going mad and am turning into a grumpy man. Lately, I've been real edgy at work and with my family. Don't know why, but I just lose my patience real easily with people. I guess it's due to the stress of overstudying. I'll probably continue my hobby after all, but I'll make it a point not to make it a distraction, but rather, as a form of release.

    #269541
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hey, it's me again. This time, I have an issue that I'm hoping many of your CPAs and future CPAs can help me out with.

    I've given up my Salsa hobby for 4 weeks now and have been studying like crazy, about 30-35 hours a week. So, yesterday I decided to reward myself for my hard work and dedication and go out for a Salsa lesson since it's a 3 day weekend. I figured, this will only be a once-a-week hobby. Shouldn't hurt to continue it. I have to say, I had a blast yesterday and never had this much fun in a long time.

    BUT, I have a problem. I had too much fun and now, my concentration is just not the same as it was before. Yes, I'm still studying hard, but due to all the fun I had yesterday, my mind is not fully here and can't fully focus 100% while studying.

    Anyone else have this issue when they go out and do something enjoyable while studying for the CPA exam?? What should I do about this? Give up my hobby or continue with it but learn how to deal with this issue?

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