[Leena_1101]

I have access to everything but i still cannot focus and motivate myself enough to study. Life just keeps getting the way. please guys I need help, i need serious motivation. i keep forgetting why i wanted to be a CAP to begin with. :'(

[Zuly]

Most of us know how you feel but you really to know why you want to be a CPA. That's the first question I asked myself before I started this whole process. I actually wrote down three important reasons and keep those visible so I don't forget. I personally didn't think I could do self-study and although its hard to set a side time I think I've found what works for me. I hate studying at night so I just get up early to study so I have the rest of the day to work, get things done and be with my family, especially with my son who is a toddler. You just have to find the best way that works for you to study. I'm not a big fan of videos and writing notes but I trudged along and got them done, re-wrote notes and now I'm on to MCQ phase and enjoy that practical way of learning. Other things that I'm doing is that I'm telling people that I'm doing this…puts more pressure on me to complete the CPA and also helps that my job is paying for it so even more pressure to do well. You just have to find what works and even watch videos on youtube for motivation…I do this too and it helps. Visit this forum a lot and you'll find a good community of people that give great advice and support you through all of this. It helps to stay plugged in and have the CPA exam on your mind at all times. Best of luck to you!

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Zuly]

Oh and set up a study plan and try to stick to it as much as possible. Jeff has a great study plan that I use and I also use the one came with Roger CPA Review which I have tailored to my schedule.

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[playonwards]

The way I look at it is that you're either all in or your all out. Make up your mind and then get to work. You can't half-@ss your way to passing scores. Honestly if you're not going to give it 100% of your effort you might as well not even study or take the exams. Save yourself the time and the money. And we know that's not really an option.

If you care enough about passing to come here and find motivation, then that tells me you have the motivation you just need to stop questioning yourself. The most motivating thing for me is thinking about life after you pass. Get off to a good start with your studies today and don't look back. No excuses and there's nothing to be scared of it's just words and numbers.

FAR- 92 (7/25/2014)
AUD- 93 (8/30/2014)
REG- 93 (10/10/2014)
BEC- 91 (11/10/2014)

Using Becker self-study only. Working full-time.

[Leena_1101]

Thanks so much .. I completely agree about either being all in or out. And also having a solid plan. not sure if i can take another failure.

[Leena_1101]

Thanks a lot @playonwards … you made me feel much better … @CPAalltheway2015 I need to write down three important reasons as to why i want to be a cpa …hhmmm will get back to you on this one 🙂

[Anonymous]

If you are in the industry, you are generally capped on opportunities without the license.

[Leena_1101]

@6silvermoonbeams a i am .. and its expected to get the CPA with 2-3 yrs .. my boss does not have hers but then she has been doing the same thing for years now .. oops there's my first important reason… i do not want to do the same thing for years and years

[rzrbkfaith]

@Leena_1101

I also constantly struggle with motivation as well because of maintaining such a busy schedule. (Work full time, mom of 2 active kids, volunteer, and part time CPA studier.) What works best for me is just scheduling the exam. Once you set that date in stone, then you know you have to be ready for that section by that specific date. At least that helps me.

AUD - 99
BEC - 97
REG - 91
FAR - 1/8/16

[Anonymous]

Myself, I have two kids. I switched into this industry a few years after I had been out of college. It is extremely hard doing this now while working full time and everything else going on. Many nights I don't begin studying until 9pm. I get up daily at 4:30. I don't generally have regrets, but this would have been a lot easier had I done right after school. So if that is your situation, then heed my warnings.

[Anonymous]

@rzrbkfaith: you struggle with motivation and scored a 99 on AUD? I doubt motivation is much of an issue to you. Just because you take days off and are not studying constantly does not mean you are not motivated. Scoring in the 90's is an indication of studying too much IMO, as I found out with REG. Better safe than sorry though.

[I Believe You Have My Stapler]

I also struggle with motivation to study on a daily basis. I agree with rzrbkfaith, just schedule it. Use an exam planner to help plan out what you can REALISTICALLY accomplish. If you're a planner like I am, schedule study time on your calendar; set a reminder, if you have to.

AUD- 97! (May 2014)
BEC- 79 (August 2014)
REG- 64, 83 (February 2015)
FAR- May 2015

[Anonymous]

I give myself rewards. Examples:

Saturday at 7am: All I want to do is sleep for a few more hours and then drain my DVR. I'll tell myself that if I can get through five hours of real studying, I can spend the rest of the day working on my tan.

Monday – Thursday: If I can get three hours of legitimate studying in each night, I'll take Friday off and go out with my friends. If not, I punish myself by staying in.

If I pass FAR by the end of October, I can go to Vegas with my husband and our friends. If not, I'm staying home while they all have a great time without me.

[mystical guy]

You get motivated by going back to the basics. Ask yourself, why the heck did you even get into Accounting? How do you feel about it? In fact, take out a piece of pen and paper and write why you want to get your CPA. Describe the kind of life you'd have. (I always fantasize about traveling to Audit sites and staying in a nice hotel… Maybe tax accountants get excited when they consider representing a client before the IRS or citing some obscure tax law and actually knowing what it means.).

Whatever motivates you is inside you, and you must express it on a piece of paper. Print out a picture that represents a successful CPA, and look at it every day. Then do what people have said, which is planning and setting targets for yourself.

The final thing I did was to “just do it” against all resistances. Obviously, it worked for CPA, CISA, even losing weight.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Leena_1101]

Thanks All so much for all the wonderful advices. i feel so lonely most of the time in this CPA journey. its so nice i can always come here and share my feelings with you all … thanks again … now i am all motivated 😀

[Author]

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