MintsRBack and it's ok to take a break!

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #180825
    MintsRGood
    Participant

    After missing the mark on FAR a few weeks ago and failing to close out my CPA journey, I felt defeated and disgusted with this whole process. Like many others here at A71 my CPA journey has been extremely challenging, but I’m not afraid of hard work. I worked through my MAC at night while working full time in public accounting. My undergrad degree was pre-law, so I found my MAC program to be extremely challenging as I’d had basically zero exposure to the majority of the topics. In my professional life, I had to scratch, claw, and outwork my peers by 300% to earn their respect and ultimately their titles. I’m on track to make partner at my firm once I have my CPA, so needless to say I work at high pressure 24/7. It took me 5 years to finish my grad program but I made it. I went through hell with Auditing, but I made it. REG and BEC were no cakewalk either…but I made it. I am fighter.

    I put 10 focused and intense weeks into closing out FAR, yet I didn’t make it and it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was the first time on this long eight-year journey that I’d decided that I’d had enough. I told my family that I was done and this wasn’t worth it anymore. I felt that life is too short and too precious to spend another minute of my life chasing this. I packed up my materials and put everything in a box in my basement. I cried more in that week after the 9/9 score release than frankly I had in the past 5 years combined according to my family. I was broken.

    Earlier in the summer, my husband and I had made plans to take 10 days at the end of September to go to Florida. I demanded to cancel the trip but my husband refused. He could see that I needed to take a break from everything and was he ever right! I spent the past 10 days not thinking, speaking, worrying, or studying for this exam or being consumed with the firm. We took our dog, we walked on the beach everyday, ate amazing food, enjoyed copious amounts of wine, and for the first time in weeks I felt like myself again. To be more precise, I feel healed and whole again. This morning I went into the basement and brought up that box without hesitation or emotion. After 3 weeks of decompressing, I’m ready to tackle FAR again and close out on 11/4!!!!

    My single goal in posting this today is to say that it’s OK to take a break when you feel you need to. I’d previously been in the camp of “no breaks EVER, MCQS until you die at your desk, don’t be a wimp, study 12 hours per day on weekends!!!!” but that can run you into the ground and break you just as easily as it can win you the EWS award. I’m ditching the guilt ridden and desperate 4-5 hours per day during the week and 8-10 hours on weekends and moving back towards balance and adopting Jeff’s E.L.L. plan. 3 hours per day of focused weekday prep+4 hours per day on weekends=23 hours per week. It may not work for everyone, but it’s going to work just fine for me this time. I don’t have to be a slave to this exam to pass; quality trumps quantity every time. That’s how I took a 68 to a 92 on audit. This retake will be no different.

    Please remember to be kind and take of yourself on your CPA journey!

    REG: 75 DONE 🙂
    AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
    BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
    FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
    Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
    -Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
    -The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
    -You better work, b***h!
    -Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 32 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #520884
    TaRenee
    Member

    Mints!!! Great Post! I'm in the same boat. PLUS I started a new job 🙁 I'm planning to take my test on Nov. 25. Good luck with your study plan and I know you will do well!

    REG [75] 02.27.13(1)
    AUD [82] 04.15.13(1)
    BEC [79] 05.29.13(1)
    FAR [62] 08.26.13(1) [76] 02.24.14(2) - God is able!!! 🙂

    Licensed NC CPA

    #520921
    TaRenee
    Member

    Mints!!! Great Post! I'm in the same boat. PLUS I started a new job 🙁 I'm planning to take my test on Nov. 25. Good luck with your study plan and I know you will do well!

    REG [75] 02.27.13(1)
    AUD [82] 04.15.13(1)
    BEC [79] 05.29.13(1)
    FAR [62] 08.26.13(1) [76] 02.24.14(2) - God is able!!! 🙂

    Licensed NC CPA

    #520886
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Welcome Back Mints….

    You can and will pass and become partner and live a good life with a great career. Just do what you have to do to get there. Thank God for a good husband to be able to help you put things in its proper perspective. You're in a great place to get the support you need to try it one more time.

    Good luck, study hard, and it's not over but the beginning to a great career.

    I look forward to reading the story of success on the other side.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #520923
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Welcome Back Mints….

    You can and will pass and become partner and live a good life with a great career. Just do what you have to do to get there. Thank God for a good husband to be able to help you put things in its proper perspective. You're in a great place to get the support you need to try it one more time.

    Good luck, study hard, and it's not over but the beginning to a great career.

    I look forward to reading the story of success on the other side.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #520888
    acamp
    Participant

    Welcome Back. I am a strong believer in hitting the reset button from time to time; which is why when I take PTO, I do not turn on the work computer.

    I tell people I'm available on my cell only (I like the people I work with, so taking 3min of my time to save them 30min is fine), but it also reduces the amount people are willing to bother as they're more likely to find an answer for themselves before making a call.

    Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

    California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

    FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

    Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

    Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

    California CPA

    #520925
    acamp
    Participant

    Welcome Back. I am a strong believer in hitting the reset button from time to time; which is why when I take PTO, I do not turn on the work computer.

    I tell people I'm available on my cell only (I like the people I work with, so taking 3min of my time to save them 30min is fine), but it also reduces the amount people are willing to bother as they're more likely to find an answer for themselves before making a call.

    Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

    California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

    FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

    Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

    Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

    California CPA

    #520890
    nbad311
    Member

    Welcome back Mints! You sound like you are in a better mindset to start restudying. 🙂

    I like to take this apporach on a daily level: no way can I study more than 2-3 hours at once (especially on a weekend day)

    I treat myself to little treats between studying blocks, with lunch, a quick Target shopping spree, or like you have inspired me to do at the end of this 2-hour block, a pedicure break!

    I hate FAR but in the end it is going to hate me more!

    REG - 65, 70, 80!
    BEC - 35, 62, 79!
    AUD - 73, 75!
    FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

    #520927
    nbad311
    Member

    Welcome back Mints! You sound like you are in a better mindset to start restudying. 🙂

    I like to take this apporach on a daily level: no way can I study more than 2-3 hours at once (especially on a weekend day)

    I treat myself to little treats between studying blocks, with lunch, a quick Target shopping spree, or like you have inspired me to do at the end of this 2-hour block, a pedicure break!

    I hate FAR but in the end it is going to hate me more!

    REG - 65, 70, 80!
    BEC - 35, 62, 79!
    AUD - 73, 75!
    FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

    #520892
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Mints: I've been wondering about you since I hadn't seen any post from you in a while. Glad you took some time for Mr. And Mrs. Mints and Woofie. I think that is exactly what you needed. Now … Let's go bitch slap FAR and be done with this!!!

    #520929
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Mints: I've been wondering about you since I hadn't seen any post from you in a while. Glad you took some time for Mr. And Mrs. Mints and Woofie. I think that is exactly what you needed. Now … Let's go bitch slap FAR and be done with this!!!

    #520894
    Jennifer241
    Member

    Sometimes we just need to hit the reset button 🙂 Welcome back

    AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
    REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
    BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
    FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

    Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

    #520931
    Jennifer241
    Member

    Sometimes we just need to hit the reset button 🙂 Welcome back

    AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
    REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
    BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
    FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

    Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

    #520896
    MintsRGood
    Participant

    Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it!!! 🙂

    I spent time today preparing a timeline and set up a batting order for review. The E.L.L. calendar created by Jeff fits perfectly with my retake timeline. I'm going to stick to the program and not make myself nuts. Balance, balance, balance!!!!

    It feels great to be geared up and ready to get back to work; I'm with you @Baxter!!!! 🙂

    REG: 75 DONE 🙂
    AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
    BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
    FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
    Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
    -Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
    -The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
    -You better work, b***h!
    -Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

    #520933
    MintsRGood
    Participant

    Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it!!! 🙂

    I spent time today preparing a timeline and set up a batting order for review. The E.L.L. calendar created by Jeff fits perfectly with my retake timeline. I'm going to stick to the program and not make myself nuts. Balance, balance, balance!!!!

    It feels great to be geared up and ready to get back to work; I'm with you @Baxter!!!! 🙂

    REG: 75 DONE 🙂
    AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
    BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
    FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
    Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
    -Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
    -The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
    -You better work, b***h!
    -Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

    #520898
    LSNYC
    Member

    Good luck Mints! I know how hard it is to get a fail on your last section on this journey, but i know we can all do this! Good luck on FAR! You are so close you will be a CPA!

    A - 61, 91!!
    B - 78!
    F - 76!!!
    R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

    Finally done!

    This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 32 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.