[mla1169]

Since I had my hands full while studying (2 kids, f/t job, in school for my masters and a girl scout leader) I consider myself somewhat a conneisseur of short cuts. I thought it would be neat to start a thread of ways to make the rest of your life a bit easier while going through this process. Please add any tips you have!

#1 and most important: the crock pot. Use it, love it! No need to come home after 8+hours and have to prep and cook a meal. Best crockpot recipe (and easiest) put a pork loin in with 1c orange juice and 1c craisins. Let it cook on low all day. Tried and true family favorite.

#2, when you DO cook, double or even triple the recipe and freeze the extra. Before you know it you have a freezer full of heat and eat meals that are not processed frozen foods.

#3 if you do online banking, set up all of your bills to pay automatically without sitting and writing checks. I can honestly say I havent sat with bills in 8 years, and everything is paid up to date and on time (further to this, I am paid biweekly and pay 1/2 of each bill out of each paycheck so on my $100 cable bill, I pay $50 every two weeks)

#4 dont fold laundry. EVERYTHING in my house except underwear and socks goes on hangers. quick and easy and faster to find clothes to wear!

What else do you to to save time in other aspects of your life?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[kandisjoy]

1. Figure out a routine that works for you, and stick to it. That way you don't have to waste time figuring out how to spend your time.

2. If you use flashcards and are driving, you can just look at one side of the card (the topic/question) and then try to remember the answer while focusing on the road. If you can't multitask I don't suggest this! If you have a passenger, have them quiz you.

3. Don't check Facebook or any other website while you are studying, unless it's a part of your studying!!!! This is a big one. Taking a few seconds here and there to check your email or whatever can seriously mess up your study time. You lose track of what you were thinking about in those brief moments. Focus and make the most of your study time!

4. Keep your stuff organized. If your house is a mess, you will waste time trying to find stuff. Especially relevant when it comes to clothes and shoes. Also keep your study stuff organized and together so that when you want to study, you can just grab your bag and start, rather than spending a bunch of time tracking down your books, some paper, a pen, etc etc.

5. For people with medium hair or longer: Dry Shampoo every other day, or more often if your hair can handle it (mine can't because it's so fine, but thicker hair can usually handle it). I mostly started this because I dyed my hair red and if I washed it every day, it faded in about a week… But it also saves me about 30 minutes of prep time in the morning (drying/curling). I use a shower cap, then after my shower I just spray some dry shampoo in it, brush it out, and tie it back in a messy bun. I always get complimented on how cute it looks. And I get 30 minutes of extra sleep on those days.. or you can study if that's your thing. I don't like studying in the AM.

6. Relationships – Make whatever time you spend with your family/friends count. Don't let yourself be distracted by feelings of guilt for not studying. Either study and focus all of your attention on it, or be with family and don't think about studying at all. It's important to take time to appreciate the people who are supporting you through this journey; sometimes the exam process can be just as difficult on your spouse or whoever you have around you, as it is on you. I took my fiance out to dinner to thank him once I passed for doing almost all of the house work for two years and always being so emotionally supportive while I was studying. He was amazing and I honestly don't think I would have passed if I hadn't had his support.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[jeff]

Listen to music while studying?

Treat yourself to Spotify … highly recommended.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[HustlinHustlin]

I like to take my flashcards with me on my weekend walks to get groceries. It makes a nice little getaway and I'm still studying! I am also trying to use them during my workouts, though I usually find I am too distracted and perfer to blast my headphones and zone out! I wasn't blessed with the ability to have music while studying! I have to have absolute quiet! Even if theres a tv on in the other room I can hear I go nuts! Needless to say, I have invested in ear plugs.

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[marcielee]

Segregation of duties –

When it's time to study, study hard. Let nothing distract you.

When it's time to be with your friends/family, be present. Don't let worrying about the exam take up any part of your brain when you're enjoying your time with them.

It's easier said than done but it's always my goal.

B - 80 8/26/11
A - 90 7/2/11
R - TBD 5/?/12
F - 84 1/3/12

[Tootsie]

I recommend taking lots of breaks while studying. I usually study hard for about 2 hours, then I treat myself to a cup of tea and a cookie or watch an episode of SVU (I am addicted, lol), then I get back to studying. It's important to take time out to do something fun or not even do anything, just relax. Happy studying everyone.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[ledgermaven]

you are all amazing! It's taken me longer to do my first exam – FAR – than I hoped and I think I will have to try getting up earlier, working longer at night, and all of the above help. I've moved FAR from Jan to March because I'm only at pensions at the moment. I seemed to need twice as long to get through a chapter/segment. but will keep on keeping on…

happy new year

[HumanPiranha]

keep track of your study time. i have a spreadsheet that keeps track of time spent, topic, the percentage of questions i got correct, number of days until the exam, etc. it will give you a sense of accomplishment (i.e. wow, how did i manage to study for 150 hours for FAR) and will also give you a good idea of what amount of studying you need to suceed.

as far as laundry goes, i don't like with my parents, but my mom still does my laundry. that helps.

[KasiaS]

Use the Pomodoro Technique. I used it to study and I currently use it at work and I think it's a great tool. There's a free e-book (pdf) on the site that outlines the technique (https://www.pomodorotechnique.com/)

It's been said before, but I can't stress the importance of structure. Have a set routine and stick to it. It'll make everything easier and your family/friends will come to understand at which times you're unavailable and they'll generally leave you be if they understand.

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[sacredtheory]

Don't have kids

BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed

Jared

[Megan]

Ha Jared!

BEC 52, 61, 74, 77
AUD 80
REG 75
FAR 50, 60, 70, 74, 83...DONE!!
..Texas.. Baby #2 born 4/11/11

[KasiaS]

LOL, agree. Not having kids/hubby definitely helped my case.

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[Megan]

1. I think trying a few different study methods and see what works. Unfortunately, I didn't find out what worked for me until my last exam, but I did best on it and should have tried other things in the beginning to see what worked for me. I was too focused on hours clocked rather than quality time spent. Could have saved myself a lot of time/money/energy/heartache.

2. Hire a cleaning person (especially if you are a Mom and the sole income). I didn't and wished I did. It makes you straighten up before they come so it doesn't get too out of hand like my house did (still is), and might start a habit of keeping things decently picked up. I'm hiring one now because I still don't have time to get it in shape!

3. Ask for help/take help when offered! I didn't do this enough in the beginning. In the last few weeks of my last FAR attempt before I lost AUD and REG, I basically sat my hubby down and said, “This is what is happening. I have to study away from home and you have to pick up the slack. I can't do both.”

4. Make crockpot meals like mla suggested, but if you just don't have it in you, fast food/frozen pizzas/crap food is okay too. Don't try to do everything. The “easy way” and shortcuts are okay.

5. Have something you can do for 30 minutes or so before bed (especially if you study at night). Read/watch TV/whatever to keep yourself from dreaming about journal entries and T accounts all night.

6. Realize that this is just a season, but it's not the most important thing in the world. Right before I received my 74 on FAR, I found out a friend's little boy was shaken by his babysitter and it put things into perspective.

BEC 52, 61, 74, 77
AUD 80
REG 75
FAR 50, 60, 70, 74, 83...DONE!!
..Texas.. Baby #2 born 4/11/11

[mla1169]

I wish I had done a cleaning person Megan, that's a good one!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[kandisjoy]

Perhaps the step before “Get a cleaning person” should be “Be able to afford a cleaning person” 😛

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Minimorty]

Cleaning people aren't too expensive. Our person is great and so reliable. Worth every penny.

[Author]

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