NTS Received + Early Morning Study Plan

Mark is a weekly Another71 Facebook blogger as he documents his journey through the CPA Exam.

I’m still studying for FAR. I *think* the material is sinking in.

I’m pretty sure that my review program is the right study program that fits my learning style the best. This is coming from a guy that has tried practically every other program out there.

The wife still doesn’t know that I am studying. She still needs neck surgery. She’s getting an injection in her neck joints on Oct. 18th. That might help, but if it doesn’t, surgery is the plan.

I received my NTS, and I will be sitting for the exam in Texas as an Iowa candidate. Apparently, although I have 150 credit hours, Texas has a specific ethics course they want you to take, but Texas doesn’t have a residency requirement, so I can sit as an Iowa candidate.

I wake up weekdays at 4:45 a.m. I’m in the car driving to work by 5:15 a.m. because I’ve already prepared my clothes the night before. However, I’m arriving at work in my workout clothes because on our floor, we have a fitness center.

I do about 45 minutes of cardio (because I’m fat), then shower, get dressed and by 7:00 a.m., I have my coffee in hand and am studying. Since people in my office don’t show up (for the most part) until 8:45 a.m., I feel comfortable putting in a good 90 minutes of study time in the morning at my desk, with hardly anyone walking around the office.

That being said, I’m not one of those people that studies late at night. I’m studying when those people are still sleeping.

Another benefit of studying this early is that I’m not sacrificing family time. My family is asleep. For the most part, when I get home at the end of the day, I’ve already studied around 3 hours (scattered throughout the day). By 9:00 p.m., I’m asleep. I’ve helped with getting the kids to bed, doing the dishes, laundry, playing with the kids, giving the wife the attention that she needs, etc.

Can any of you relate to this type of schedule? How many of you out there are early birds like me? Does anybody get up earlier than 4:45 a.m.?

Also, this weekend sucked for studying. Aside from being sick on Friday and Saturday, I simply can’t study at home. As strange as it sounds, I’m able to get more study time in when I am at work.

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7 comments

Ashley 11 years ago

I also can't study at home I'm currently at the library now.... the only place where I can "focus" (although being on here isn't technically focusing). Sounds like things are moving along for you. I hope your wife gets the treatment that she needs and you are able to crank out the rest of your studying! Thought I'd share that the fastest way to lose fat is actually to lift HEAVY... not necessarily doing straight cardio. Cardio is good but only if you're doing HIIT. ;) Ok back to FAR studying I go!

Jake 11 years ago

I know what you mean about getting more studying done at work. I would usually get to work an hour early and stay an hour late, that way I would get at least 2 un-interrupted hours of study time per day. Also for your workout don't do cardio. Get a good strength training program, you will get better results in less time. Try "Starting Strength" or "Strong Lifts" both are great routines, way better than doing cardio.

Chris 11 years ago

Sorry to hear that your wife is running out of time/options with her neck pain. Has she ever tried acupuncture or a chiropractor? There should be many new non-invasive procedures available lately. Surgery has to be an absolute last resort. You certainly have a lot on your plate. Good luck to you both.

Mark 11 years ago

Thanks for the fitness tips and yes, my wife has tried every form of conservative treatment. Surgery is a last resort, but the doctors say that her Degenerative Disc Disease will only get worse. One way or the other, surgery will eventually need to happen.

bostonmom 11 years ago

This is very close to what I do. I wake at 4:30a, workout for 1 hour on the bike trainer in my house. Then I get ready for the day. My child is at school by 8:15a. I have to study at work because I just can't get the time in at night. My daughter goes to bed at 8pm and I try to be in bed by 9 or 9:30p because I am just so tired from the day.

Jake 11 years ago

Mark I hope everything turns out well with your wife! Medical procedures are always stressful. Hang in there and hope for the best.

Allyson 11 years ago

Work is the best place to study. No one is fighting over the Wii and asking for snacks. I was lucky in that as long as I kept up with my workload, I could get studying done at the office. There were times when I told my husband I had to work the weekends but I just wanted a quiet place to study. Hope your wife's surgery went well.