[Spur]

Ok, So I have 2 kids under the age of 3 and a wife. I’ve started leaving the house to study recently to get some peace and quiet; however, I’ve found that the places where I can go are few and far between, especially in the evenings. The library I go to on weekends closes at 5:30PM during the week. So, I’ve been going to a Starbucks that is fairly quiet and spacious, but not the most ideal place, especially when the tweens arrive (why are tweens drinking coffee for anyway?)

Where do you guys go to study?

FAR - Bad Fail '11, Fail '12, Fail '13, PASS It's a miracle!
AUD - Fail, PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEC - PASS!!!!!!!!
REG - PASS!!!!!!!! And I'm done!

[jeff]

I go to Barnes & Noble and Starbucks to work.

I also mix in some local coffee shops.

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

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

[littlenumberrobot]

@Spur – Can you study at your office? Maybe go back in the evenings. Also, I think the bookstores might be more quiet, less tweens. I used to do library, but ours closes at 9 way better than 530. Any universities nearby? Their libraries must be open later

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[neika822]

I don't (but should) go anywhere to study, but when I was in college, I'd occasionally go to Panera to get away. It seems a little more spacious than a Starbucks, but the tweens are usually there too.

My college's library was open 24/7. I wish I lived nearby to take advantage of that now.

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[no.cruncher]

Universities are a gold mine. I'm close to Northwestern and if I could sneak into library by 5, I could stay till they closed @ 3am. I also did a lot of Panera's. Additionally, I also have two young ones @ home and would get home sick, so I'd come home and wait them out till they slept and would crack book from 8/9pm until 1/2 am.

Gluck, it's real hard to be a parent pursuing this beast and juggling life and family. The last year I've been a ghost, or maybe the other way around, as all I did was CPA… I slept with mp3 audio, and now almost two weeks after its all done, I'm still weaning off it. I tell my wife this journey has mentally disrupted me. As in it leaves you wanting more even when it's all over, because you've trained nonstop. The best analogy I can come up with is, I was left like a knocked out boxer on the ground still punching at mid air thinking he's still in it lol

Best!

FAR - 7/16/2012 *76 : 2.5mo [Exp. 1/2014]
AUD - 8/31/2012 *82 : 1mo
REG - 11/27/2012 *83 : 2.5mo
BEC - 2/27/2013 *80 : 2.5mo LET'S DO THIS!!!
Ethics - 3/13

[ 2011 Kaplan Self Study - Textbook, MP3s, FlashCards ]

CMA... Hmmm...???

[Anonymous]

At work, after hours – works out pretty well since it's nice and quiet but gets old because I've already spent 9 hours here during the day.

At local community/senior center – the one I go to is open 'til 10PM during the week and 6PM on weekends; they usually have an empty room to spare for me to plug in and study without much interruption.

I only have one kid (3 y/o) and SO understand how difficult it can be to try to study at home… hope you find your ideal spot!

[Anonymous]

It's just my husband and I in our house right now and he knows how important this is so he does his best to not distract me (loud noises, etc) while I'm studying. Right now one of our extra bedrooms is set up as an office with a nice desk and all my study materials. I just go in there every day.

[mla1169]

My kids were older when I was doing the exams (11 and 17) but you can probably imagine between music, games and fighting that they were distracting. I never felt right leaving them to go work (mommy guilt) but I did make fast friends with soft ear plugs.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Spur]

Thanks everyone. My kids at night are not a big deal as they sleep pretty well, but its weekend evenings when it can get hairy. I tried going to my office once, but after I thought about it, I felt like @bhmnrhpsdy, and eventually just went to sbux.

It was strange for me to realize that I didn't have as many options as when I was in college without any kids and the school library was always open until at least 10PM. I also commuted on a train for an hour in each direction so that was time used to study as well. I'm glad at least I have Ninja Audio to get me through my car commute to/from work.

FAR - Bad Fail '11, Fail '12, Fail '13, PASS It's a miracle!
AUD - Fail, PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEC - PASS!!!!!!!!
REG - PASS!!!!!!!! And I'm done!

[Anonymous]

I study in the library of my city but it bothers me because when I'm hungry I have to stop and go to eat something and then come back and the available tables (which are near to the windows) are occupied.

They close early in weekends so I'm figuring out where to study – besides of home.

By now, I switch between my room and the library.

[Keely]

When I studied at home, I put my headphones on that I use for the shooting range. Other times I would take a blanket and go to the park and just read the book and take notes. Most of the time, on my reading/note days, I was by the pool… I know not everyone can do that, but I'm just saying that sometimes the outdoors is the most quiet place you can go to. When you have to do the MCQs or lecture, though, stick with the headphones.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Author]

Replies