[Anonymous]

Has anyone else gone through some sort of tragedy while they were studying? Two weeks before I began studying for my first exam, my mom passed away. I poured myself into studying and didn’t deal with her death. I ended up passing that first exam. Then, three weeks before my second exam, my sister passed away. I haven’t studied for two weeks because I’ve been out of state dealing with her funeral and figuring out what will happen to her kids. My exam is scheduled for October 5th. I have another week off from work and my family is pushing me to spend the entire week studying to get ready for the exam. But I’m just so tired, emotionally and physically. I don’t know if I have it in me to cram three weeks of studying into one, even without working. I’m wondering if anyone else has had something like this happen to them? I know grief is different for everyone, but maybe to know I’m not the only one who has been in a situation like this during the CPA exam will give me some motivation. I dunno.

[livealittle]

I'm so sorry to hear of your losses. I don't remember who it was, but someone posted on here about some similar losses where it seemed like they were hit over and over. Whatever you decide to do, know that the exam will still be here later if you decide you need some time to grieve. (((hugs)))

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[KSingh85]

First off, I wanted to say sorry for your losses. Everyone grieves differently. Sometimes these events we know will occur later in our lives, almost seem to occur at once, and one on top of another.

Yes, I was personally hit with tradgey after tradgey. When I first sat for exam in 2009-2010. I was studying for my final part, which was FAR when I had more personal tragedies, felt as if God did not want me to pass.

I tried retaking the exam between 2010 and 2016, when more life events pulled me away. Finally when I was sitting for my final two parts in 2017 and 2018. My mother had two major surgeries, back to back and I was her primary caretaker. But I studied on and found the studying as an escape. Something I had control over. Something almost tangible.

I just wanted you to know, you’re not alone in this. Noone can truly empathize with what you’re going through. But please know, others here can sympathize.

Something I learned from here is that you can contact your state board and request for a credit extension. Although I wish I knew this in 2010, they are more likely to grant it if you’re sitting for your last part and have compelling reasons.

I just want to say BAE BAE to Becker!

[Recked]

The fact is that sometimes there are things that occur in your life that are more important than the CPA exam.
Kudos to you for buckling down after the first death to pass FAR, but 2 in a row is tough. I don't really see how you could possibly concentrate on your studies right now.
You're not in the right frame of mind.
I'd probably try to push your next exam towards the end of 4th Qtr.
Give yourself some time to grieve, cope, recover. Take it one day at a time. Try to get in a productive hour of studying if you can each day. Take it slow.
Good luck to you and sorry for all your losses.
I've had some bad ones in my time, and I don't think I would have been able to focus while going through that type of loss.
Everyone has their own path, best of luck navigating yours during this difficult time.

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)

[MSim]

Sorry for your losses. I would say just take time to heal. First off, like you said, you're taking 3 weeks of studying time into 1. That's already hard by itself. Then, you have to consider everything else (family, grieving, etc.). Like they said above, the CPA exam will still be there once you're ready. Don't feel guilty about taking care of yourself. But, also promise yourself to NOT give up on your dream of becoming a CPA once you're ready (if that's really what you want).

"Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion" -- Muhammad Ali

 

[CS]

My condolences for your losses, I can’t imagine how that feels. You’re beyond resilient for still going through FAR, and passing to boot. I don’t have much in the way of advice, but certainly as Recked wrote, events like this far exceed and are beyond the CPA exam. I truly hope you find your peace.

 

 

[Anonymous]

While certainly not to the same degree as you, this year that I've been taking the CPA exams has also been the hardest year of my life. My husband and I were given notice that we had to move out of our rental house, so we quickly bought our first home and moved (stressful in itself). Two weeks after moving in, his sister died extremely unexpectedly at a young age, leaving three kids behind. My husband is also very unhappy with his job and is going through a pretty significant depression, but refuses to get help so I bear the brunt of listening to him and trying to help him. Then we dealt with plumbing issues and had to tear apart the finished basement of our new house; that was back in June and nothing has gone forward as far as making the basement livable again. I'm also pretty unhappy at my job but am just trying to stick it out so I can get a CPA to sign off on my experience.
Like I said, my circumstances are nowhere near the level of tragedy as yours, but I definitely can empathize with your situation. I really don't have any advice except to just keep swimming and eventually we will make it to the other side.

[Anonymous]

My condolences for your losses…I can't imagine going through the losses of your family members in midst of the CPA exam journey. It just adds more stresses and emotional toll on you.

[RazorBoy]

COTucker:

I'm so sorry for your losses. To answer your question, my younger sister (21 years old) passed away unexpectedly on 2/1 this year. I was scheduled to take my first exam (BEC) on 2/24, but about two weeks after the tragedy, I decided (with influence from my family) to postpone it until April 16th. Like you suggested, we all grieve differently and have different family factors/financial situations/NTS situations influencing us and I'm not going to say you should do X or Y. But I will say I think it was beneficial for me to postpone the exam, and I ended up passing.

-

[MaLoTu]

I am so so sorry for your losses. I don’t have any advice, just wanted to send my condolences.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[cottonkandi]

I don't have advice either. I just want to express my deepest condolences. My father passed when I was six-years-old and his death still lingers in my heart today, (I'm 32). Wishing you all the best.

BEC: 75!

FAR: 84!

AUD: 81!

REG: 79!

[Anonymous]

Sorry for your loss. I just want to share that I have a colleague who's dad died the day before her last exam. She still took the test and passed, but the rest of us can only imagine the mental strength that you and my colleague must have had to move forward. I had two young children and a wife and full time work in a busy accounting office while I passed my exams over a 2 year period. I can only say that I wasn't far from having my wife leave me, I was gone so much working and studying. But you have to move forward. Getting my CPA license was the most important professional achievement I've ever had and one that opened doors I never would have been able to open in the way that I did. Keep moving forward and sorry to hear of your loss. Be strong for her.

[Author]

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