Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 26, 2017 7:13:25 GMT -5
I think that's the right expression to the way I feel.
Studying for the CPA exam has taken over my life.
As I prepare to head to work this Monday morning, I'm already tired. I woke up at 5 am to study, now I'm going for breakfast, bath, work. At night I'll study another 1 or 2 hours. I've been sitting in front of this computer for the whole weekend. My exam is in about 10 days.
When I started studying for the CPA exam, I was able to hold on to a more normal life. But little by little it's taken over and I've put on almost all the weight I had lost by sitting studying, not always eating healthy, not exercising in the mornings anymore, etc. I have absolutely no social life, I wouldn't invite anyone to my home because I'm only doing the bare minimum clean up, etc.
I feel tired, depressed, lonely, etc.
Is this normal for someone studying for the CPA exam? It's like a mind-game they play with candidates. The exam changes, the questions they can ask are almost endless, you never feel really prepared no matter how many hours you study, etc. For most exams I've taken, you have an idea of how well or bad you did. Not with this one. People ask me how I did after I take a part of the exam, and I have to honestly answer that I have no idea.
I can't wait for this to be over. And then I'll have to do a thorough clean up, a mini-vacation, and face the reality that I have to basically start over; find hobbies, make new friends, go out more, get a social life, volunteer somewhere.
I had to laugh the other day because one of my coworkers was saying how impressed he was with me sitting for the CPA and how I should be always learning and getting more certifications because I had the push for it. No way, Jose, I'm done after the CPA. The funniest part about it is that he only has a Bachelor Degree from 12 years ago, has a Senior position and I don't, and he never looked back after graduation. I told him "I'll think about it".
I'm burned. I just want a normal life.
Sorry for the rant.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Jun 26, 2017 7:32:08 GMT -5
I think what your feeling is normal. It sounds like you're under a lot of stress. Maybe take a day off from studying and catch up on your sleep instead.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2017 7:46:26 GMT -5
I feel your pain. I went through actuarial exams. I finished the last one in 1983 and I still remember. Pass ratios were about 30-40% and they recommended 300 hours of study per exam; typically you took one every 6 months and there were 10 of them. It took me 8 years. The worst memory was when I used to sit in the kitchen of my little apartment building with the windows open, studying while I could hear the laughter and shouts and splashes of people in the house behind the complex enjoying their pool. (I later had a pool of my own. ) You do need to get away from studying once in awhile. Part of the process is your mental state. I once worked myself into a stressed-out frenzy the night before an exam. I was in the office trying to learn just ONE MORE THING that might help me pass and my boss told me to go home and stop studying. I passed. After that I never studied the night before. I also used to take exams in NYC and would take the bus into the Port Authority terminal at 42nd Street and walk down to the World Trade Center area where it was actually given. Great stress relief. I can't tell you the right mix between studying and the rest of your life (I failed a few exams along the way) but it sounds like you need to schedule yourself some breaks, especially for exercise. Also- plenty of other certifications are not that much studying. I sailed through the CPCU exams with very little disruption to my personal life.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jun 26, 2017 8:03:10 GMT -5
Sorry you are feeling this way.
I get you. Sometimes we just have no choice but to soldier on, knowing that the end is worth it.
I also think you might need to lower your standards.
I still don't understand how one person gone out of the house so much can have a terribly messy house. I mean, I have three school aged kids...and well, by the time they get done playing sometimes, walking through the living room is a work out in itself, avoiding legos, AG toys, and small things. It's only in the last year or so that they now eat without dropping half their meal on the floor.
If you pick up after yourself right away...there shouldn't be that much of a mess. (ie, put your clothes in the hamper after you bathe, keep your dishwasher empty and put dirty dishes directly in there.)
I also don't know how many mini-breaks you are taking.
I took a third job over my lunch hour this past academic year. Which caused me to get up and move around a lot more (I ended up walking 2-3 miles a day, because of this job). It was a lot better for my productivity than sitting for infront of my computer for literally 6 hours with one bathroom break (under 5 minutes) and taking 5 minutes to grab my lunch.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 26, 2017 8:19:34 GMT -5
I hate, slept and breathed the CPA exam back in the day. When I took it you could only take it in May and November so there was zero flexibility in scheduling it. I just knew what I had to do and got through it. I would get up at 5 and study before work and then come home and study at night. It paid off because I aced the exam. Like you, I was petrified of failing because you just never know what they are going to ask. So I completely over-studied because I knew I didn't have it in me to do it again if I failed.
It is short term and you can get through it. Focus on life in 10 days not the short term pain to get you there.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 26, 2017 9:19:36 GMT -5
Everyone I have known who has taken the CPA exam felt this way as the time neared to take the exam.
I think the people sitting for the CPA exam today are quite lucky because they only have to take one part at a time and can put their time and energy in to that. That is very unlike my era when it was given only twice a year, had to pass two sections to get a conditional, etc.
My co-workers met 4 out of the 5 week nights when they studied as a group. They all took Becker first and used what they learned there to take the exam.
I know my nephew took a prep course but I don't know which one. He did flunk the first part he took, but went on to pass all 4 sections and got his CPA certificate. He already had the work experience.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 26, 2017 11:44:53 GMT -5
I hate, slept and breathed the CPA exam back in the day. When I took it you could only take it in May and November so there was zero flexibility in scheduling it. I just knew what I had to do and got through it. I would get up at 5 and study before work and then come home and study at night. It paid off because I aced the exam. Like you, I was petrified of failing because you just never know what they are going to ask. So I completely over-studied because I knew I didn't have it in me to do it again if I failed.
It is short term and you can get through it. Focus on life in 10 days not the short term pain to get you there. Haha...I'm guessing that was ate, but I love it. Reminds me of when I was studying for my series 6 exam, except I was in a three week cram, so that was my full time job. Wake up, study, go to work, study for 8 hours, go home study. That really sucked. hahaha....I guess there is no hiding how I felt about all that studying!
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 26, 2017 11:46:50 GMT -5
Everyone I have known who has taken the CPA exam felt this way as the time neared to take the exam. I think the people sitting for the CPA exam today are quite lucky because they only have to take one part at a time and can put their time and energy in to that. That is very unlike my era when it was given only twice a year, had to pass two sections to get a conditional, etc. My co-workers met 4 out of the 5 week nights when they studied as a group. They all took Becker first and used what they learned there to take the exam. I know my nephew took a prep course but I don't know which one. He did flunk the first part he took, but went on to pass all 4 sections and got his CPA certificate. He already had the work experience. I was in the same era and I knew many people that passed one part but it didn't count because you had to pass two.
And now we sound old..."kids these days don't realize how easy they have it"
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Lizard Queen
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103/2024
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jun 26, 2017 11:52:41 GMT -5
Except now they need to know IFRS as well as GAAP
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Jun 26, 2017 12:20:08 GMT -5
You're simply getting burnt out, which is normal with everything you are juggling. Can you take a vacation day, or two, off from work after the exam? That way you'd have a little celebration to look forward to, & you can sleep in to recharge your battery. Best wishes on the exam! You can do it!
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jun 26, 2017 12:24:54 GMT -5
I remember feeling this way when I was nearly at the end of my preparations for my nurse practitioner license. I think it's a combination of burn-out and the "nearly to the end of my goal - then what?" jitters. You've only got a few more days. You can do a few days hanging by your thumbs. Give yourself as many positive pep-talks as are required. Once it's done, let down and celebrate. You've earned it!
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 26, 2017 14:43:44 GMT -5
YM believes you can pass the exam, Ava. Now prove to yourself that you can!
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suesinfl
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Post by suesinfl on Jun 26, 2017 17:07:10 GMT -5
Ava, that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. You can do this and I second the suggestion of taking some time off to decompress and celebrate.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Jun 26, 2017 17:10:04 GMT -5
Stay on target Ava!!!
After test, some RandR is in order
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 26, 2017 18:34:21 GMT -5
I just have to get through the next 10 days.
I'll take a few days off studying after that.
And today I receive good news. My mom had surgery three months ago and the doctor cleared her for traveling, so she's coming in August.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 26, 2017 18:36:43 GMT -5
I can certainly say that if I knew the CPA was going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have chosen it. Of course, I'm very stubborn and now I want to finish it. But it scares me, all the time, energy, not having a life, etc. I don't think it's worth it, actually. Once I'm done with the CPA, I am done with studying. End of the road for me. I'll do the CPE classes to keep my license active, but that's it.
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lund
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Post by lund on Jun 26, 2017 18:40:18 GMT -5
Hang in there, ten more days. If possible, take some hours off in order to take a walk (in a safe area during daylight) and go and get some extra sleep.
And remember the Most Important Rule about Going through Hell: Keep moving!
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jun 26, 2017 18:50:24 GMT -5
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 26, 2017 19:20:24 GMT -5
Hang in there, ten more days. If possible, take some hours off in order to take a walk (in a safe area during daylight) and go and get some extra sleep. And remember the Most Important Rule about Going through Hell: Keep moving! I take a walk every day at lunch time. And I sleep like a princess. I never had problems sleeping, and besides that the CPA exam material is the best sleeping pill available when done at night after dinner. And that is part of the problem, besides the full time job, the long commute, etc. I sleep 8 hours a night. I wouldn't have it any other way, though. I am not going to become sleep deprived on top of everything else.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jun 26, 2017 19:47:59 GMT -5
I can certainly say that if I knew the CPA was going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have chosen it. For what it's worth. I think no one tells you about really difficult things because of this. If people knew how hard parenting was....there'd be like 10 kids born every year instead of four million. If I knew relationships, in general, could be hard...I would have preferred to be a recluse. If I had known how hard it was for me to take the GREs...I wouldn't have taken them to get into grad school. If I would have known that I would have had a tough road to hoe as a public sector employee, I would have never chosen this route. This past weekend, I went to one of my student's Hindu temple to play some bollywood music with her. I was the ONLY white person there for a good long time. Again, not something I would have chosen. But I also think that avoiding hard things makes us complacent as people. Which, I think in the long run is more detrimental than doing something hard in the short run.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 27, 2017 7:17:32 GMT -5
I know what you mean, because I'm going through it right now. I passed part one of the chp exam last year, but this year I'm taking the second and final part and it's much harder and math intensive.
My life is pretty much the same, no social life, no friends, apartment a mess, feeling like I can't do the things I want to do....
Just hang in there and do what must be done to pass it.
I definitely concur on this being it for my formal education/certification. I'll take professional development classes as required for my job and study specific topics if needed for my job, but I hope I'm done after this and can have control of my life.
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toomuchreality
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Post by toomuchreality on Jun 27, 2017 8:15:43 GMT -5
Best of luck to you, ava! Hang in there!
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souldoubt
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Post by souldoubt on Jun 27, 2017 13:14:35 GMT -5
I can certainly say that if I knew the CPA was going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have chosen it. Of course, I'm very stubborn and now I want to finish it. But it scares me, all the time, energy, not having a life, etc. I don't think it's worth it, actually. Once I'm done with the CPA, I am done with studying. End of the road for me. I'll do the CPE classes to keep my license active, but that's it. The only thing that matters now is that you're doing it but when you say this it makes me wonder what was the deciding factor in you taking it - did you think it was an easy way to get a professional certification and make more money? I took it because I majored in accounting, that was my career path, I always had every intention of taking it and I knew it would only open more doors for me. That said I also knew the pass rates were quite low as in a few of the sections were lower than the bar exam pass rates. As the saying goes nothing in life worth having comes easy. I'm not trying to turn you off to your path but as you advance through your career as an accountant you're going to have plenty of stressful situations where management wants an answer now and you don't have a complete picture. You'll also have plenty of stressful month, quarter and year-ends while dealing with not only accounting changes but also compliance and regulation changes that impact your job. 80 hours of CPE every 2 years doesn't sound bad but you'll find that sometimes you get busy, put it off then you scramble to get 30 hours in the last few months to keep your license active. Depending on when your birthday falls you may be renewing during one of your busier times of the year. Regardless you'll get through it.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Jun 27, 2017 13:22:50 GMT -5
I can certainly say that if I knew the CPA was going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have chosen it. Of course, I'm very stubborn and now I want to finish it. But it scares me, all the time, energy, not having a life, etc. I don't think it's worth it, actually. Once I'm done with the CPA, I am done with studying. End of the road for me. I'll do the CPE classes to keep my license active, but that's it. The only thing that matters now is that you're doing it but when you say this it makes me wonder what was the deciding factor in you taking it - did you think it was an easy way to get a professional certification and make more money? I took it because I majored in accounting, that was my career path, I always had every intention of taking it and I knew it would only open more doors for me. That said I also knew the pass rates were quite low as in a few of the sections were lower than the bar exam pass rates. As the saying goes nothing in life worth having comes easy. I'm not trying to turn you off to your path but as you advance through your career as an accountant you're going to have plenty of stressful situations where management wants an answer now and you don't have a complete picture. You'll also have plenty of stressful month, quarter and year-ends while dealing with not only accounting changes but also compliance and regulation changes that impact your job. 80 hours of CPE every 2 years doesn't sound bad but you'll find that sometimes you get busy, put it off then you scramble to get 30 hours in the last few months to keep your license active. Depending on when your birthday falls you may be renewing during one of your busier times of the year. Regardless you'll get through it. Pretty much Yeah that. For FL, all CPE is reported as of 6/30 thecyear your license expires. If you don't have the 80 hours by then, then you take an additional 8 hrs of A&A by 9/15. If you don't have 88 hours by then, then you have to take another 8 hrs of A&A by 12/31 (so have 96 hours of CPE). If still don't it, then you are out of compliance. FWIW, I did have to do extra CPE once as I had ran out of time that get it done before 6/30 due to job change. I couldn't get it done by 9/15 due to busy season. I made sure it was done ASAP after I was done with my busy season as I didn't want to lose my license.
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souldoubt
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Post by souldoubt on Jun 27, 2017 13:29:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification. in CA you have to complete your 80 hours and renew by the last day in the month of your birthday every 2 years. For my initial license because I got it in August they pro-rated 60 hours needed by the end of March. I've noticed that regardless of when your renewal is a high percentage of people I work with are cramming so many hours the last few months because they get busy with work, home life and life in general. Conferences make it easy to knock out large chunks but from personal experience a conference 6 months out sounds great then when it gets here you're trying to figure out how you pull it off.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 27, 2017 19:55:06 GMT -5
I know what you mean, because I'm going through it right now. I passed part one of the chp exam last year, but this year I'm taking the second and final part and it's much harder and math intensive. My life is pretty much the same, no social life, no friends, apartment a mess, feeling like I can't do the things I want to do.... Just hang in there and do what must be done to pass it. I definitely concur on this being it for my formal education/certification. I'll take professional development classes as required for my job and study specific topics if needed for my job, but I hope I'm done after this and can have control of my life. So you are going for the second part? Do you have an exam date already? I hope you pass it and then start living a better quality, more organized life. Believe me, I understand what you are going through.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 28, 2017 8:47:33 GMT -5
I know what you mean, because I'm going through it right now. I passed part one of the chp exam last year, but this year I'm taking the second and final part and it's much harder and math intensive. My life is pretty much the same, no social life, no friends, apartment a mess, feeling like I can't do the things I want to do.... Just hang in there and do what must be done to pass it. I definitely concur on this being it for my formal education/certification. I'll take professional development classes as required for my job and study specific topics if needed for my job, but I hope I'm done after this and can have control of my life. So you are going for the second part? Do you have an exam date already? I hope you pass it and then start living a better quality, more organized life. Believe me, I understand what you are going through. Yes, that's right. The first part was 150 questions multiple choice in 3 hours. The second test is a combination of working health physics problems (i.e. math) and essay type questions and is 6 hours. Like the CPA the CHP a high failure rate, usually over 60%, and it's not dummies taking the test either. You have to have a science or engineering degree plus six years of experience as a professional before they'll even let you take it. The test is July 10th.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Jun 28, 2017 8:49:06 GMT -5
Remember Ava, you've put in the work to pass the exam. Even if you don't pass, you can keep your head held high because you know you did your best. If you go down, at least you went down fighting.
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lund
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Post by lund on Jun 28, 2017 10:58:03 GMT -5
Wish you both luck with your respective studies, Ava and Phoenix!
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 29, 2017 7:22:05 GMT -5
So you are going for the second part? Do you have an exam date already? I hope you pass it and then start living a better quality, more organized life. Believe me, I understand what you are going through. Yes, that's right. The first part was 150 questions multiple choice in 3 hours. The second test is a combination of working health physics problems (i.e. math) and essay type questions and is 6 hours. Like the CPA the CHP a high failure rate, usually over 60%, and it's not dummies taking the test either. You have to have a science or engineering degree plus six years of experience as a professional before they'll even let you take it. The test is July 10th.
You are almost there. In less than two weeks you'll be done with this and can start enjoying other things instead of just job- study, job- study.
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