Venting Time

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    Topic
  • #836710
    reallytired
    Participant

    I just need to vent to people who understand my woes. I listen to classical music while studying, as the singing in normal songs distracts me from reading/thinking about a question. I have been studying since May, meaning that I have been listening to boring music for 4.5 months. The past few weeks (especially since I started studying AUD), I have been in a weird funk where I have a hard time focusing and concentrating on the material. I also have lost a ton of motivation that I had studying REG and FAR.

    This morning I was getting ready to sit down to study when I watched a video on people’s reactions to hearing My Chemical Romance songs (on Facebook of course) and had the strongest yearning to listen to their music instead of the classical music. So, as a way to make myself happier, I put it on and started an AUD homework. At first, I was doing pretty well and figured that maybe the music wasn’t interfering as much as I had expected… Then it all went downhill and I got halfway through the homework and had scored a 53% (the lowest score I have ever had in any topic on any exam thus far). I literally just started crying because I was so upset that I couldn’t enjoy something as simple as listening to some good music while studying.

    I hate this exam process so much, it has turned me from a once cheery person to an emotional wreck. I pray this is all over in November.

    Thanks for always being here, fellow future CPAs. I appreciate the support you all show one another!

    B- Pass
    A- Pass
    R- Pass
    F- Pass

    B 10/29/16
    A 10/1/16
    R 9/2/16
    F 7/26/16

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 41 total)
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  • #836713
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I hear ya. I cannot stand classical music. 😐

    Not that this changes the process at all…but as something that might help with this one symptom of the process…I found that listening to the styles of music that I liked with foreign lyrics was a way to get “good music” without having the distracting lyrics. For example, I like metal music sometimes; Rammstein is a German band that I love their sound, but most of their songs are in German, and I don't know German, so I can listen to Rammstein and not be distracted by the words they same way I would listening to English music. So…might be a way to get some musical variety. Or listen to covers on YouTube that are, say, guitar covers, where someone's playing with a background track that doesn't include vocals.

    I know the music was just the “straw that broke the camel's back” in the situation, but just throwing out a small cure for that piece. 🙂

    #836734
    SkiBum1990
    Participant

    Your feeling is all too common. I have read many many many sad and depressing stories on here in regards to what everyone goes through. This forum has been very comforting since I joined in August (been studying since January), and to know I'm not alone. One must stay determined and persevere. Passing these exams is all about dedication and perseverance.

    Recently I read on here that an individual failed his 6th attempt at AUD (internally I died/wanted to crumble to the floor), and needed this attempt to be done FOR GOOD. However, since he failed he LOST FAR CREDIT. I could not imagine taking a single test that many times, let a lone failing and losing FAR credit. Talk about perseverance, and will-power to just. get. this. over. with. — This is a very tough journey no matter what walk of life you live. Full-time @ work; mother of 3; no family at all; etc etc

    I'm not the cheery person I used to be either, always stressed and emotionally drained/exhausted. At times, I can tell my relationship is suffering as well. To get through this, I'm trying to focus on the exercise(cardio works wonders), good-ish diet (def need pizza and beer), ample rest (“all work no play makes Jack a dull boy”), and the bigger picture of things. My current consulting job is definitely suffering because of all of this and that itself is upsetting. For months and months now I've not been focused on work, at some points could care less deep down… all because of these damn exams.

    Keep your head up, exercise, take a day off here and there to clear your mind/avoid burnout — we can do this!!!

    “If you don't own the CPA exam, the CPA exam will own you”

    “the mind can only absorb as much as the seat can take”

    B - 79
    A - 68, 70 (UGH)
    R - Oct
    F - Nov

    "The mind can only absorb as much as the seat can take"

    "The mind can only absorb as much as the seat can take"

    B - 79
    A - 68, __ (got bumped from Aug 4 release to Aug 23-THANKS AICPA)
    R - Oct
    F - Nov (HA! 1 month to study working full-time; love NTS rules)

    #836737
    GeauxAwayCPA
    Participant

    “I hate this exam process so much, it has turned me from a once cheery person to an emotional wreck. I pray this is all over in November.”

    I am right there with you @reallytired. Sounds like my life to a T right now. Every day is like an emotional roller coaster and the smallest things can set off a breakdown. I am usually a very social, cheerful person but this exam process has drained almost every ounce of happiness I have. I can probably count the number of times I've seen my family(they live out of state) and friends on one hand since the year started. Started off the year studying for BEC, then busy tax season happened, then I started studying for FAR, my last exam, for THREE FREAKING MONTHS and Failed with a 72. So now I'm doing round 2 with FAR and I feel like I can only sleep, eat, and study or I will fail again. I am praying that I never have to study for the CPA exam again after October. Anyway, I say all that so you know you're not alone. No one but those of us taking this exam TRULY understand how miserable this thing is.

    I know it's easier said than done, but just try to remember that it's not forever and that we will make it through this. Take it day by day and just reach your daily goals, and you will reach your main, larger goal! I know I don't know you but I know that if you've passed FAR and REG, you must be doing something right. FAR is such a monster! (it was my first setback) Keep your head up, and I'll try to remember to do the same 🙂

    Licensed CPA in Texas trying to start up my own tax practice
    #836740
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Check out the Film Scores Radio station on Pandora when you want a break from classical music. I can't listen to music with words while I study either and that one's been great. Hope you feel better soon!

    #836758
    Accountant183748
    Participant

    I know exactly what you mean! The exams take up so much time and we give up so much in the process. I was on the CPA journey for a year and a half before I finally passed about two weeks ago and to be honest after passing the exams I don't know what to do with myself and I feel like I lost a lot of frineds. It doesn't help that my boyfriend is in school so he spends his evenings doing homework. I lost a lot of social friends – like friends I would just talk to/hang out with, but weren't exactly close friends. My good friends are still there, but I never had that many to begin with and I can't call them every single day haha. Before taking the exams I used to be so social and had something to do every night and then I focused so much on my tests that my friends were actually the people on the forum that I could relate to.

    Now back to the music because I love music and I really missed listening to music while I was studying. I don't know if you commute to work or have NINJA audio, but I would listen to music at least on the way there or on the way home. I don't know if you like electronic, but that's what I listened to while studying (I can't stand silence and don't like classical). If you have Spotify there is an EDM study playlist that I would listen to. I did some research on what music to listen while I was studying and what I found (I don't remember exact websites), but they recommended that you listen to music that you already know, whether it has words or not. Otherwise, it distracts because you are trying to listen to see what comes next, but if you already know the words then it doesn't distract you as much.

    Also, a tip that another user suggested, was to put on loud music music while cleaning, studying, cooking and consider that “me” time. That actually really helped and you get a little break and get to enjoy the music!

    #836761
    Jackobe24
    Participant

    I haven't have any fun or time to do anything for like a year now, since I'm working full time and studying….

    literally FML, I hate whoever created the CPA exams…..

    I hope it all ends next Tuesday midnight when I get my score for FAR, which the last section I need.

    God bless us all!!

    FAR - 9/8/16 (Hopefully it's my last CPA exam, God bless me!)
    REG - 80
    BEC - 81
    AUD - 69, 81

    #836764
    melissahoff
    Participant

    Oh man, I hear you. I went through it for 3 years. Keep going and it will be worth it! One idea I got from this site actually for music is on Pandora theres a station called “Concentration Enhancing Menu Initializer”. I used to listen to classical and piano music while studying, when I needed a break, I would turn this on. Theres a lot of modern music but its in classical style. So no words, and add violins, pianos, etc.. And obviously you can thumbs up and down to customize it more. It was more upbeat and something I kind of looked forward to.

    AUD - 74,72,74,73,67,80
    BEC - 69,80
    FAR - 50,51,50,74,71,79
    REG - 69, 72, 81.. and I am DONE...
    Ethics-93

    #836770
    JBeaty0507
    Participant

    I totally feel you! I just started studying for my first exam at the beginning of August (FAR on October 3). That was one of the things that I had to change right away because I couldn't listen to my normal music as I would get completely lost with what I was doing. One thing that has helped me tons is the Instrumentals for Studying channel on Pandora. The music is mostly classical in style (pianos, violins, etc), but they play a lot of music that is recognizable like Adele and popular movie scores. I've found that it is much more enjoyable than normal classical music.

    AUD - 87
    BEC - 89
    FAR - 85
    REG - 78
    Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday
    #836773
    Ib
    Participant

    @reallytired. I understand your pain. I have been through process earlier. Listening to music should be fine as long as you don't get distracted. However, I did not do that since I never felt comfortable listening to music and trying to understand material. Another reason for not listening music is to simulate exam situation. You will not be allowed to listen music during 4 hours exam. But again, this is very different from person to person. I felt best learning without any music. Sacrifice is the key thing in passing CPA exam. I literally did not had any social life while preparing for the CPA exam and almost injured my lower back. I am still recovering from it. I suggest not to get bogged down by your lower scores. Try to understand why you chose the wrong answer and why the correct answer is correct. Take it as a learning process. Always keep you goal in your mind and forget the rest. I am sure you will be fine!

    AUD - 87
    BEC - 78
    FAR - 79
    REG - 81
    Licensed CPA in MA, OCT 2016

    FAR 79
    AUD 87
    BEC 78
    REG 08/31/2016

    #836800
    hasy
    Participant

    I know it's not as enjoyable as before, but you'll pull through! It's funny because I've actually discovered a lot of good music while studying for this exam since I've been on the hunt for music I could listen to while studying. (Maybe that's why it's taken so long to pass).

    The process is over. I do want to bring out that once this process is over, you CAN MAKE social friends again. It REALLY is possible. Don't expect to hang everyday, hang together slowly one week at a time. Soon enough you'll have people wanting to hang with you again.

    AUD - 83
    BEC - 80
    FAR - 83
    REG - 78
    BEC - 80 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

    FAR - 72; 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

    AUD - 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

    REG - 52; 78 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

    Ethics - 68, 96 (how I dislike you)
    -
    This forum is more addictive than drugs. Still returning after licensure.

    Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

    -

    BEC 80 (10/23/15)
    FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
    REG 52 (4/28/15)
    AUD (9/9/16)

    Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

    #836863

    This post describes my CPA experience perfectly. It's very much a test of discipline and I know you will pull through! You've come this far and you are able to pass! Hang in there reallytired, you'll feel better after you pass REG!

    #836869
    pharaoh
    Participant

    I am not sure if this is a CPA thing in general or just the AUD. I didn't have that problem with FAR but now with AUD it is too dry and boring for me to study and I feel that I daydream a lot when I am studying it.

    AUD - 93
    BEC - 79
    FAR - 84
    REG - 83

    FAR 8/2016
    AUD 1/2017
    REG TBD
    BEC TBD

    #836887

    I tried listening to classical music too. Then realized I'm someone who needs complete silence when studying… ugh

    But it's over now, I (FINALLY passed after about 3+ years of hell). Soon you'll be able to say the same thing.

    PS, I get super excited seeing other people who like my kind of music. I've listened to a lot of My Chem and Rammstein since passing the test 🙂

    CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

     

    B – 33, 71, 79

    A – 32, 61, 70, 83

    R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

    F – 47, 78

    1st test 01/19/2013

    Last test 05/26/2015

     

    CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

    The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

    B - 33, 71, 79!
    A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
    R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
    F - 47, 78! 🙂
    After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
    I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

    Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

    #836938
    melody_pinaycpa
    Participant

    I love music but I don't listen to music while studying. I picked up the lyrics more than the topics I'm studying. When I try to take a break from studying I normally run or walk while listening to music and on the side reading e-book. I have to read the e-book 2 to 3 times because I can't seem to understand. I think I learn best sans the music but I love music a lot I even updated my playlist for walking/running from time to time.

    As for my social life, I only have my husband, my 2 kids, the part timer Nanny and the 3 friends I have in the office who understand the CPA exam ordeal.

    I am praying hard that this will be over soon….

    FAR - 88
    AUD - 86
    BEC - 82
    REG - 73, 70, 82

    FAR (Apr 2015) - 88
    AUD (July 2015) - 86
    BEC (Oct 2015) - 82
    REG - 73, 70, retake Sept 2016

    #836965
    Sage
    Participant

    As everyone else has already said, I totally understand. I passed the final section I needed back in May. I absolutely HAD to listen to music while I studied. Another good Pandora station in addition to the Film Scores that someone mentioned is a station called Classical Goes Pop. It is primarily instrumental versions of popular songs. I have about 15 different classical/instrumental/new age stations on my Pandora that I have set on shuffle so that way I get a good variety of stuff without words.

    My pet peeve was the ads. You'd think they would be mindful of the type of station you are listening to before throwing a loud obnoxious ad at you that just completely took you out of your zone.

    AUD - 79
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 89
    REG - 81
    "You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water" -Rabindranath Tagore

    FAR - 89
    AUD - 78
    BEC - 81
    REG - 5/28/16

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