Link: http://www.another71.com/how-to-study-for-the-cpa-exam-without-energy-drinks/

quick question for the coconut oil how is it taken? I actually have some in my house and would like to try it.
Dunno - I would leave a comment on their article..I bet Chris will answer.
While I studied a few hours prior to taking exams, I would finish a gallon of water. Only a few sips of coffee. This gave me energy and focus.
Becareful of coffee and energy drinks...you may get energy but you could lose focus being hyped up.
Diet Coke = Happy Medium
Good point...but I lean towards coke zero :)
the article points out that if coffee is to be consumed, to select organic coffee using filtered water -- does anyone know if the small cup of coffee i get from starbucks meets these criteria?
I gave up caffeine entirely (even chocolate) 2 weeks ago. I am exhausted but not nearly as snappy and mean as I was with the stimulant.
I only get happier with caffeine haha. I love the smell of the coffee bean. As for trying to get a few more hours of studying before sleeping, I take a slow jog outside my house and the cold air wakes me up.
I'm kind of surprised that nobody has suggested crack/cocain yet. I'm sure it's been tried.
not possible to study after a long day of work without caffeine/energy drinks....they've gotten me through
I am going to try the cocunut oil tonight since I don't have any more 5 hr energy in the house. wish me luck!
A lot of ppl that I work with took Aderall to study for the cpa exam, with great results and they all passed, I'm tempted to give it a shot. I work at at a big 4 firm, and tax season doesn't seem to be dying down any time soon. I work 14 hours a day, wake up at 3.30 am to study for 5 hours before going to work and survive on 5 red bulls through the day. I'm super exhausted. Luckily I have only one exam left, but it is FAR, and I really need to pass it by Feb end at the latest otherwise I start losing credits. I'm so exhausted from work that I feel like I have barely any time and energy left to study, even if I do have the motivation. Thoughts? has anybody on this forum ever tried aderall?
Aud 83
Reg 83
BEC 73, 78
FAR-11/30
Holy crap...you wake up at 3.30am, study for 5 hours, and work 14 hour days? If you take into consideration transportation times, you must be sleeping around 3 hours a day. Even with 5 Redbulls,I don't see how your body can last.
Nonetheless, it's amazing you were able to pass 3 parts of the CPA already with such a busy schedule.
I'm not a pharmacist by any means, but it seems like Adderall would work for you -- because you're focused and determined already. Some people think it's a magic pill that will make you study, but it isn't. I took it once a few years back at and it definitely helped me to focus. I was just blazing through this textbook that I was reading, and even when my friends wanted me to take a smoke break, I just wanted to concentrate on my study.
It's no miracle drug, however. Just like drinking alcohol gives you a hangover and smoking weed makes you super lazy, Adderall has its side effects, too. There is always a price to pay; Adderall destroys your appetite and will throw off your sleep schedule even more. If your sleep schedule is wacky enough as it is, I'd stay away from the Adderall.
All I can say is, I've tried Adderall a few times before in the past and I still prefer to study without it, even if it means I'm taking a lot more time to study on my own.
But if you say you have a time constraint, it wouldn't hurt to try it out. You may be concentrating a lot harder and reading faster, but Adderall won't increase your memory retention. In fact, it may hinder it since you're going through more material at a faster rate.
I've heard aderall causes some negative reactions........but damn anything that gets you through the exam is worth trying.....but those redbulls..they helped me passed economics with an A.....thanks RB...
I have been diagnosed (long before the exams) with ADD and take adderall. It is nothing to mess with. If you don't have ADD it won't help you. And if you access it in a way other than through your doctor, it is downright dangerous. One of the potentially fatal side effects is extremely high blood pressure, I have my BP checked @ the doctors monthly and check it occasionally on my own. It has definately made mine go up, fortunately still in the "safe" zone.
Don't do it just for an edge. Not worth getting your CPA then having a massive stroke.
Just my .02.
I've been meaning to try something like what SoCalCPA mentioned about taking a jog around the neighborhood to wake up the senses as a study break. I'm just worried I'll get into it and spend too much time exercising then be too tired to sit back down and hit the books. Maybe that's where mind over matter comes in! Anyone else find benefits to working out on a study break?
@JulzCPAlmost...I agree w/ you. On the weekend I work out 2 hours in the morning and always plan to study afterwards @ around 9-9:30 am.. By the time I get back home I'm tired and go back to take a nap and end up starting @ 11..lol..
I tried the whole workout thing. Sometimes, I would be so tired from working out, but by the time I get home, shower, eat, I'd feel energized and ready to start studying. Usually that only lasts a few hours (2-4) and then I want to nap. The bad thing about that, is that I get a lot of studying done in the mornings, but if I don't go workout in the morning, I will not go later... I haven't been to the gym in 2.5 weeks, except the weekend. I feel lazy b/c I'm not working out, and I SHOULD feel good about studying, but I am still behind....... makes me wonder, is working out for a break really a good thing if i'm still behind my study schedule? decisions, decisions... i'm no good at them
I can't handle Red Bulls or soda. If I get the urge to crash, I simply do a set of pushups or jumping jacks before doing MCQs or reading or watching a video. I tried the whole jogging thing during break but that didn't work. A quick set of pushups every hour or two seems to work for me, I get more energy out of it. Might as well try it out, you have nothing to lose.
@hut-hut....push-ups do work..20 every two hours....
I hate coconut oil, but the key is to not let you blood sugar go to low. I eat string cheese and apples and stay away from processed carbs and sugar (except my yummy zucchini muffins I make with WW flour and applesauce instead of oil!).
I still drink at least 2 cups of coffee a day because I like it. Also, taking a brisk walk is good to keep you alert or for a study break, but I am guilty of internet surfing or watching tv on my study breaks!!
zucchini muffins with ww flour and applesauce? I have to try that!
The magic formula for me was Mountain Dew and marijuana. Dew for the energy, bud to relax. Also steak burritos from Taco Burrito King and the whopper combo from Burger King provide good fuel.
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