[Anonymous]

How do you all study when you work crazy hours? I’m in auditing and I start work at 7:30 am and leave work at 7pm, work through lunch and get home at about 8 in time to eat dinner, shower, lay down for a quick second to breathe, and TRY to study. Then I wake up at 5am (leave my house at 6:15 am) to do the whole damn thing again. On top of this, I try to have somewhat of a social life, work out, and maintain a relationship with my boyfriend. So stressful. I guess this might be more of a rant than a question.

[mla1169]

You study early (before work) during lunch and late. (Jeff's ELL plan). The only time I could study was from 10pm-midnight during the week and from 6am-10am Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you've got a 1+ hour commute consider the audio materials.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[y_u_no_pass]

Well it looks like you've figured it out through 3 exams, so props. I do not work that crazy of hours, and could never wake up at 5 am, but I do find it harder to study if I have to work more or am stressed at work. I am way behind from this past weekend (I'm in tax). But as long as you get the total time in it works out.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Must Pass CPA]

Well, you actually give me a lot of motivation. I work full time (8 – 4:30). Wake up at 6:30. Arrive home by 5:00. I was feeling so stressed before reading your thread. I know you can do it.

AUD-SCHEDULED 1/17/15- FIRST TEST
REG-
BEC-
FAR-

[Kimboroni]

I'd consider the Ninja audio for any size commute. Mine is only 15 minutes, with occasional drives of 30 minutes or so, and it's always more than enough time to get value out of the Ninja Audio.

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. 🙂

[kpb]

cole, in about a month i will be in your shoes as well…did you do your other 3 exams with this schedule? if so, looks like you got this down already.

I am trying to get as much as i can done for REG before i start working, because i know how hard it will be to study after a very long day of work (looks like ill have your same schedule) get up at 5am probably wont get home til anytime 6:30- 8pm. yikes. i doubt ill want to study on sundays too. possibly saturdays, if im not working

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[Anonymous]

@Kpb No I did not have this schedule before, that's why I'm so worried. You're really smart to study as much as you can before you start work, that's what I did with REG and passed thank God.

[Anonymous]

mla – Wish I could study before but I barely have any time. I can't even study during lunch because everyone here works through lunch so I'd look off not working : / Looks like I'll have to just push through 9-12 at night and do it then.

[kpb]

Thanks Cole! Yeah, if i hadn't failed aud i would've had 3 done by the time i started working, would've been perfect, but at least i'll be working in aud, hopefully that translates into some better understanding of the material and possibly won't be as hard to learn as new material would be since i've already studied that book once. hence, i'm trying to get reg done asap. good luck with FAR, since its your last, try to take as much time as you need i guess, without having any other credits expire. review notes constantly so you don't forget information, make sure to do progress tests after each chapter if possible. it will really help you to remember all the info when it comes time for review. any advice for reg? I just finished 4, which 3 and 4 took a really long time, i'm hoping 5-8 will be a little easier?! any advice is appreciated.

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[Skynet]

I used to work in retail and had the same situation of working all crazy hours of the day. My suggestion is to take Small Naps when necessary before studying. For example, Once i would be schedule from 5am to 1pm. By the time i got home it would be around 2pm and too tired. I would take a nap for a couple of hours. With the nap, I was a little bit refreshed and was able to study. So again, small naps whenever possible are necessary. If you are tired and trying to study, you will not learn or retain anything.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Anonymous]

Don't worry Kpb I failed REG before I started work and had to retake it once I started working – ___-

So annoying! The plan was to pass and hurry and take FAR before I even started working but obviously that isn't the case. Thank you for the advice! As for studying for REG, just repeat multiple choice like no tomorrow and do TONS of SIMS because those bit me in the ass during my first try at REG. Make sure you know tax law inside and out too.

[kpb]

Will Do! Thank you! I hope to pass it the first time, hope. I will pray for good sims. 🙂 Good luck with FAR

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[itsjustatest]

You could always get a new job in the same service line with a different (probably smaller) company that pays the same and you work 30% less hours.

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[Anonymous]

I don't study when I work those hours in tax season. But I also have two young kids and a wife. I study outside of tax season. But you have done great so far! You are almost done.

[Anonymous]

Thank you I'll need the luck. I think my solution will be waking up at 4am…I'll let you all know how that goes hah.

[Juliemiddle]

I feel so bad for you! FAR is the worst to study for. I agree about Ninja Audio – it's great, but it only seems to click for me after I've done all my material review. But, it's great to really get the important things in your head.

The main thing that I MUST do is study something everyday…even if it's just an hour. Just to keep something fresh in my brain. Plus, I don't feel so stressed to study all day on the weekends.

AUD: 84 - Oct. 2013
BEC: 83 - Feb. 2014
REG: 91 - May, 2014
FAR: 68, 96 - Oct. 2014...DONE

CPAExcel, Ninja Audio (all sections)

[Author]

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