[Rebornalphawolf]

So, I’ve been studying for months now non-stop. I mean, I don’t even take one day off. I study at least 6 hours a day I’d say, but still, I really don’t feel like I study enough (especially considering I don’t have a job currently). Anyway, I think I’m at the point where literally I can’t think. Everything looks like it’s in Egyptian at the moment.

I really don’t want to stop studying though! Even if I take time off, I’m still thinking about the materials non-stop so I can’t seem to let it go. I know my studying efficiency is going to nothing, so I know I need to take a break or something.

How do you guys keep your minds fresh? Any tricks or tips? How can you study hard and yet have a clear mind? I don’t necessarily want to take a long break either. I’ve read crazy stories about you guys studying like chipmunks on drugs, so I know I can’t be the only one on burnout. Thx!

[wmalvino]

Hey, Rebornalphawolf, I hear you. I'm hoping to be done with all this in 2 mos & I am so ready. I'm in similar situation to you – essentially study full time.

I find it sometimes helps to mix up your methods to avoid the monotony – review your notes one day, work mcqs the next, listen to lectures the next. You can also try to alternate your schedule more (i.e., an 8 hr day followed by a 4). At least one day off a week really helps too.

Far & away the best method for me though is just to try to work the mcqs as much as possible. This works because it's harder to zone out when you're having to actively participate. Also, you get a higher level understanding the more you work the qs which translates to less info overload and thus you remember more.

All that being said, a lot of this process is about continuing to push through even when you're soooo sick of studying lol! Good luck 🙂

B - 8/30/12, 91
A - 5/25/12, 87
R - 7/28/12, 82
F - 4/18/12, 84

[Rebornalphawolf]

I just wonder sometimes. Do other people get this way? My head literally hurts so bad after I study sometimes. Like… bad! Also, things start to turn to mush it seems after some point. I see other people who can study like 20 hours a day nonstop and have no problems. I wonder if that's just genetics or something. Sometimes I wonder if people can really effectively study hardcore for extended periods of time. I think that due to body limitations, it is like 9000% more effective to learn over twice the time span. For instance, if I study for 4 weeks, 2 hours a day. I bet that could translate into equaling 2 weeks of 6 hours a day. Anyways, thanks for your post man. It definitely has some good points that I will try to use.

[Marivy22]

Welcome to the club. I think it happens to all of us.

If excercise is not part of your daily routine, then add a walk or a jog……..at least that works for me.

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[Anonymous]

take a break for just one day from studying. it won't hurt you actually. Instead, it's very beneficial. Even though you are not working right now, studying for CPA is a full time job. You deserve a break and should enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

You should take breaks whether it be 15 minutes to an hour. It really goes a long way to battle mental fatigue. As Marivy22 mention, you should try to incorporate some exercise in your study schedule. A 30 minutes jog will get your mind off the exam, which is a good thing. Trust me when I say this. This is what I've changed from my study schedule as I had a similar experience like you (studied fulltime + unemployed). To me, it seems counter productive to study everyday (found out the hard way). You will definitely feel more burnt out when it comes down to the final review week. So remember, TAKE BREAKS AND EXERCISE!

[MChro12]

When I was studying I always took one night off a week to go out and have fun. Granted, my highest score was an 80, but I didn't fail a part.

Reg 77 (Aug 11)
Aud 80 (Nov 11)
BEC 79 (Jan 12)
FAR 80 (April 12)

[Anonymous]

FAR is in 5 days (8/4). Feel like I've done so many MCQs and starting to get sick of seeing them on a screen and brain is getting exhausted. I wish I could take it tomorrow. Of course you never feel like you've mastered the entire text, but I feel as confident and prepared as anyone can feel going into this beast.

I'm going to try to still crank some MCQs in the form of 15-20 number shots. Sunday will be a light lookover so my brain is fresh.

Anyone feel like they're just waiting for exam day?

[samdiegoCPA]

I've been at this since Oct 2012 and yes I definitely understand where you are at. I might take a week or 4 off sometimes between exams, but sometimes at work I feel like I have no brain. If I go out on the weekends with friends or even during the week, I don't feel like myself cus I sometimes have nothing to say cus I'm burnt out.

Just know it won't be forever! I also stretch after work a lot, which seems to get blood flowing and help my stress. Or even a quick walk helps.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[impska]

It's usually a sign that I've over-studied.

How many more tests do you have after these months of 6 hours per night? You gotta be close, right?

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Anonymous]

I know there definitely is a point of the diminishing returns concept that many people talk about on these forums. It's almost counter-intuitive to think that you can ever “over study” for these exams because it's impossible to ever know everything but you actually can.

Like I said, I reaaaallllyyyy wish I could just hit this thing tomorrow and squash it. I'm ready to go right now. It doesn't help that I'm on the other side of the country for work. I was tempted to find a testing center around here and move it haha.

[Sarah1421]

I'm in a similar boat – while I don't have a full time job, my husband and I run two small businesses… so, the exam isn't my entire world right, although it can feel like it some days.

I learned the hard way (and actually, I'm still having a difficult time abiding by my own “rule”) that you reach a point every day where you should seriously walk away from your books. I can tell when my brain just literally won't allow me to answer another multiple choice question or read another page. It can even be in an easy subject – I'll just stare at my materials, read questions over and over, and NOTHING will happen. I start making dumb mistakes which annoys me even more (and freaks me out!) as I watch my score go down.

So, I try to take my dogs for a walk (exercise in any way you can). Get some fresh air! We live in a very unhealthy way of sitting around, staring at a computer all day. When I was studying for FAR, I got this crazy consistent eye twitch in both eyes – made it hard to concentrate!! I had to get reading glasses for the FIRST TIME. Thanks CPA exam!!!

Studying is serious. Give yourself a break and try to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Honestly, spending an hour doing something away from this will increase your score more than an hour of burnt out studying.

FAR - 90
AUD - 91
BEC - 86
REG - 87

[Kimboroni]

I feel your pain, Bobcat. I studied for FAR for 7-8 weeks, and then couldn't test on my assigned day due to technical difficulties at the center. The next date they could get me was like 10 days later. But I was so over the FAR material that I barely studied during that extra time. I could have done with maybe a day or 2 extra from my original date, but not 10. Ugh. I felt like you– I just wanted to get it done.

I don't think they'll let you schedule any closer than 5 days, even if you're rescheduling. Too bad.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Ntw6817]

6 hours a day is a lot. Have you taken any of the exams?

[Anonymous]

Y'all, the “6 hour” number came from the OP 2 years ago, not me lol.

It's on Monday so I'll survive. I'm just getting impatient because I'm sick of working problems and ready for the real deal. My mind has absorbed all it can.

These exams are a huge deal, but then again you're not walking in there to literally fight to to the death or something; that would be something to be pretty damn nervous about. It's all about confidence going into these things and staying calm so that your brain can operate efficiently. When your cortisol levels are high and you panic you're not helping anyone. Study, prepare, give it your all. That's all you can do.

[samdiegoCPA]

@Ntw6817 6 hours a day is a lot?! yikes. I usually do 8-10 hour days (including at work)

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Author]

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