Dealing with frustration

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    Topic
  • #1676677
    ayermd
    Participant

    Hello everyone, I am studying for FAR with Becker and often I get 50% going through the MCQ’s and struggling through the skills practice. I know it is common for this to happen but when it does I get really frustrated and want to throw my laptop across the room. My frustration often leads me to stop studying and storm off. This has been killing my productivity. Any tips on how to deal with frustration while studying so I can remained focused?

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #1676681
    itooshallpass
    Participant

    I felt that way many times studying for FAR. Eventually I figured out that it was usually the result of hunger or burnout. I can't focus when I'm hungry, and also after days and days of chugging through mcqs my brain would just say “ok I'm done!” I knew that I knew the material but I kept getting things wrong and just wanted to cry and go burn my textbook.
    The best thing for me was to take a break and come back to it later. I may be over-simplifying it, but try paying attention to how you are doing both physically and mentally and giving your mind and body what they need in order to be productive. Even if you end up spending less time studying as a result, it's better to have a shorter more productive time than hours of frustration going nowhere. When you come back fresh, use your practice sessions to identify where your true weak areas are and review them more before you keep going.
    I hope your process gets better, whether or not this was helpful at all.. Best of luck to you 🙂

    FAR - 85 (12/17)
    AUD - 80 (1/18)
    REG - 83 (6/18)
    BEC - 85 (7/18)

    Ethics - 95

    DONE DONE DONE DONE

    #1676683
    Recked
    Participant

    I recall a series of expletives being hurled at my laptop screen when this happened but you just have to dust yourself off and move along.
    Review the questions to see why answers are right or wrong, and move along.

    FAR really made me question myself. It made me feel like an idiot more often than not. It really is discouraging, but completely normal.
    Sometimes it helps to know others struggle with it too.

    Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

    FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
    AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
    REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
    BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

    #1676687
    Wanna_B_TXCPA2014
    Participant

    Deep breaths, exercise, and the realization that anger over expectations is preventing you from accomplishing the goal.

    Go slower and take your time. I know bc not only am I the president, I'm also a client. My Far scores 60, 70, 67,67,73,75

    #1676725
    cottonkandi
    Participant

    I didn't appreciate the skills section when I first started but I throughly enjoyed them as the course material became harder. When I was doing MCQ's, I saw what I was getting wrong, I stopped midway if I was trending below 60's and went back and studied read those sections over again. It was frustrating because the process was slow but when I went back to answer questions, it was much smoother. Also, focus on one module at a time.

    BEC: 75!

    FAR: 84!

    AUD: 81!

    REG: 79!

    #1676729
    itooshallpass
    Participant

    Also if it's any consolation, in my experience the exam questions were mostly easier than my review questions

    FAR - 85 (12/17)
    AUD - 80 (1/18)
    REG - 83 (6/18)
    BEC - 85 (7/18)

    Ethics - 95

    DONE DONE DONE DONE

    #1676773
    CPA2BEE
    Participant

    I feel like 50s for FAR isn't even that bad. I remember scoring 20-30% my first time through with some practice questions for FAR. I remember getting frustrated with practice scores in the 50s-60s, but when it got as low as 20 I just laughed.

    My advice is don't destroy your equipment that you study with and stop running away when things get hard. The only way to pass is to put your head down and dig deeper, especially in those topics that you hate and can't score higher than 50 on. Maybe walk away for 15-30 mins and gather yourself, but don't give up on it to the point where your productivity is down.

    CA CPA - est. Dec 2016

    FAR - 80
    AUD - 82
    BEC - 80
    REG - 85

    ETHICS - 90
    EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
    Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

    #1676921
    Stilgoin
    Participant

    I took FAR 5 times. Don’t give up- it is so worth it. When I was studying, I liked MCQs that immediately showed the answer- the ones that didn’t show the answer until the end were more depressing. Do a little research on game theory. Setting small goals with rewards when they are accomplished really helps with frustration.

    Stilgoin, CPA

    There are enough critics. Be an encourager

    B | 62, 78
    A | 73, 67, 79
    R | 82
    F | 59, 59, Waiting

    Ethics | 93

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
    ~Winston Churchill

    “In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

    #1677059
    taxman89
    Participant

    biggest thing to do is remember that these questions are worded to get you to trip up. so when you miss one hurl the expletive and figure out what it was that you didnt know or why you got tripped up. that way the next time a Q on that subject comes along those mfers wont trip you up

    AUD - 75
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 78
    REG - 82
    AUD: 61-67-75 (Thanks ninja aud)
    BEC: 77
    FAR: 78
    REG:69-73-70-82

    Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
    Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
    Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
    Far-78 1x easiest section

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