I can relate to the original post so I'm just going to lay out my story (sorry for the novel) and hopefully it might help you a little bit…
First off, I work full-time, but I have an excellent work/life balance. I work at a very small bank in rural KY and I work 8-5 every day during the week and the occasional 8-12 on Saturday AM. I have a very steady work schedule and while I'm at work I mainly just focus on work except on my lunch hour which I use for studying. My wife is in physical therapy school so she is currently going to class and studying full-time as well. It helps tremendously having a partner that is studying and working hard as well so she is very much understanding of my commitments and vice-versa.
In addition to work and studying for the CPA, I run… a lot. I train for marathons and its not uncommon for me to run anywhere between 30-50 miles per week (usually depending on the distance of my long run on weekends). Let's just say it has not been easy training for marathons, working full-time, church commitments, trying to be a good husband and studying for the CPA exam.
I started studying for my CPA exam back in March of 2013. I attempted AUD & BEC and failed both in April and May of 2013. I absolutely sucked at time management. After the summer and an early fall half-marathon in 2013, I decided to focus on studying for my CPA exam and neglected running. I may have ran 3-4 times per week and no more than 3-4 miles per run, but I was very inconsistent. Although my running and fitness took a huge hit, I managed to pass AUD & BEC in October 2013, and February 2014. I was on a roll with the exam, but felt guilty seeing my weight start to increase and my endurance fade.
In March, with the spring weather starting to arrive and warmer temperatures, I started to get back on running to the neglect of my studying. I tried to study for FAR to test in May, but ended up pushing the exam back to July. I steadily increased my mileage each week at the expense of studying for the exam. I signed up for a half-marathon and marathon in the fall of this year. My logic was that I would pass FAR & REG in July and August and then I could have all the time in the world to focus on my running. I failed both attempts by a combined 7 points (FAR – 70; REG – 73). I was devastated.
So as it stands today,I have two exams passed but my 18 month window is approaching. I have a marathon on 11/1 and REG scheduled for 11/30. I have had an extremely difficult time balancing marathon training and studying and I cannot give each commitment my best effort. Both have suffered tremendously. If I'm studying, I feel guilty that I'm not training. If I'm training, I feel guilty that I'm not studying. It's a horrible cycle.
My best advice – FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME. I've learned the hard way, and it's not pleasant. If you're committed to passing the CPA exam, dedicate 6 months of your life solely to passing the exam. I'm not saying don't work out, but cut back on fitness obligations to an extent. The great thing about fitness is that you can always get it back and you can always lose the weight you put on while studying. Although I'm collecting medals, t-shirts, achieving personal records, and I've lost over 25 pounds this year, it does not help me achieve what really matters most in my career and that is CPA behind my name.
After my marathon on 11/1, essentially all of my available free time will be dedicated to passing the CPA exam. I'm going to study like my life depends up on it and give the exams the respect they deserve.
AUDIT - 78 (10/28/13)- ROGER CPA REVIEW / Wiley Test Bank
BEC - 76 (02/09/14) - ROGER CPA REVIEW / Wiley Test Bank
REG - 88 (01/30/15) - ROGER CPA REVIEW / Wiley Test Bank / NINJA Test Bank & Notes
FAR - 80 (4/10/15) - ROGER CPA REVIEW / Wiley Test Bank / NINJA Test Bank & Notes
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