[Anonymous]

Just curious how people are dealing with the effects that these test have on ur lives. Any tips would be much appreciated because this is really doing damage too both my physical and mental well being. Maybe i am putting too much pressure on myself too pass as failure is not an option for me. Moreover so worried about not passing audit which I just took and pass bec and retake audit before I lose my reg score on feb 28 2012. I really hate these dead month testing windows! Also should I retake audit if I failed before doing Bec? Either case I only have a few months left to pass these and retaking audit won’t leave any margin for error on bec since I’ll have to pass it before December since my Becker liscense expires.

[nfs480]

I usually manage it by studying more. I'm only able to relax while i'm studying, if i'm not studying I stress over how I should be studying. I can't wait until this is all over so I can have my life back!

FAR 93
AUD 89
REG 81
BEC 87
Ethics 100

Becker 2012 Self-Study

[Anonymous]

@nfs480: For real? I wish I could relax myself by studying. However, I do feel relaxed when I get an answer right while doing MCQs.

To OP: Deep breaths! Remind yourself this IS possible, and you WILL succeed. Set (manageable) goals everyday; finish a section, do this many MCQs, etc…achieving those will help you calm down! Another thing that stresses me is when I compare to myself people who have passed all exams on 1st try with 2-6months of studying. I tell myself everyone isn't same and as long as I do my best, I should be happy!

Good Luck!:)

[Mom2two]

Eat junk food and gain weight? 😉 J/K. I read your other post and I think you are burned out from work so that is going to add to the stress first off. Let it go, please remember this is not life dependent. No one is going to die from failing this exam. Yes you probably do need it eventually and it would be nice to move on. But do not put so much intense pressure on yourself. This is marathon, just put one foot in front of the other, and you will eventually make it to the end. Make sure your diet is healthy, for me I would avoid carbs, anything processed or high fat; it makes me tired so I avoid those. When I am studying and get the munchies I reach for the almonds or whatever fruit is fresh. I take breaks every hour for ten minutes when I am watching lectures; flip to a 30 minute routine for intense M/C which is M/C for 26 minutes, 4 minute break. I set a timer and I am strict on the time and I log my time so I am being realistic about how much I am studying. In the morning I do 20 minutes of meditation and 20 minutes of yoga at night to clear my mind for sleep (and I am old so it helps my back from sitting all day…haha). If you feel anxious, stop and try just 5 minutes of meditation and breathe work. I also use vitamins, rhodiola. Anyways that is what works for me. I wish you good luck and encourage you to find a little balance and give youself a little bit of break. You are half way, maybe 3/4 done which is awesome.

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[Mom2two]

To the OP in regards to my tips, I just wanted to clarify that I hope none of my advice came across as harsh. It is so hard to type something that sets the right tone online! 🙂 I just wanted you to know you are not alone, a lot of people have been through this, tough times at work, etc. and I personally get how sometimes the stress seems insurmountable. I was a mess a few years ago from working 14 hour days for a year straight and felt like I could never get the CPA done, wasn't going to ever amount to anything, etc. But all the changed once I let it go, changed my diet, exercise, yoga, renewed my faith (the #1 thing that changed me) and then suddenly I was able to focus again. I really do wish you good luck and hope some of the stress cuts back for you. Life is too short, please enjoy it.

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I am fortunate with two facts:

1) We have a neighborhood filled with cats that are never spayed/neutered. So I have a neighborhood full of targets.

2) There's a company that makes a line of whisper quiet, lethal pellet rifles. I mean you can really make a smallish sized cat actually catch air with the impact.

Believe me…..REG questions seem incredibly less painful when you see flying feline! 😀

NO, I am just KIDDING.

The best I have is scheduled breaks like at work. I try to make sure to schedule a break that I know is coming rather than sitting down and just saying “I'm studying all day”. On weekends, I try to schedule a brief nap to recharge and also schedule time with the family. If I get past REG, I am going to throw in exercise for FAR as well. I didn't for REG (as planned) because I had so many distractions that required what little time I might have had for exercise.

Rest, exercise and life balance.

[mgnyc]

I focus on method not results. Decide how much you are going to study, then execute and don't think about results.

If you fail, change the method and try again.

Aud 73, 79
Reg 70, 60, 67, 76
Far 70, 66, 72, 87
Bec 77

[Trisha]

Yoga, Running and wonderfully mindless time with my kiddos… The exercise keeps me sane, my kids bring me joy. You have to have some balance to not go crazy….

REG 72, 86 and DONE!!!
BEC 80 🙂
FAR 72, 78 🙂
AUD 73, 76 🙂

[Anonymous]

I take a day off here and there to relax. You have to keep your sanity in any way you can! As long as you stick to your planned study schedule, taking a day off to do things you enjoy and not think about the exam is very helpful. Personally, I run a lot too, it helps to calm the stress and it tires me out so I can just sit in front of my computer and do MCQ's all day 😉

[Mrs 300]

I always tell myself that the stress is part of the package. That really helps keep me grounded. If this were easy and stress free, everyone would be a CPA. So when I feel stressed, I try to take a step back and think about why I'm doing this. I have songs I listen to (Eminem – Not Afraid) and I have affirmations I wrote after I passed the 3rd section. I listen to music and read my affirmations whenever I'm having a freak fest.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[hopefulcpa8]

Anyone feel like the exam is always in the back of your mind?

AUD 84
BEC 83
REG 77
FAR 78

DONE!!!

[Skynet]

I think about how much I hate my job in retail which only motivates me to study harder to pass the exams at all costs.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Anonymous]

@hopeful ALWAYS 😉

[Anonymous]

@ Original poster I think is part of it somehow.. It helps me to drink vitamines, tea and some other energy drinks to keep me focus. You are not alone, so when you are in the stress at the limit,t hink that other NINJA is suffering the same in other part of the world! LOL

[SeattleAccountant]

Walking or running outside daily = was best approach to deal with stress-related issues, highly recommend!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[Anonymous]

Bumping this post because I just got back from a drs appointment and my blood pressure was 150/90 due to the stress of this exam. Not cool

[Author]

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