Kim is a weekly Another71 Facebook blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam.
Hello Everyone.
Hope that everything is going well for each of you.
Its been great to see the news on the blog of some passing grades this testing window! And the new timeline for grade releases is a blessing as it will help all of us to be able to use our study time more efficiently.
Some of us have opted to get our next test out of the way before the Thanksgiving holiday and others of us will be studying during the Thanksgiving weekend. I fall into the latter category. My REG retake date is on November 29th.
One reason why I opted for a later test date has been to try to fully prepare for any surprises on the REG exam. On my other REG exams, some of the small details that were predicted not to appear on the exam have actually been right there staring me in the face!
Of course, since all of the material is fair game, Im really trying to make sure that I fully understand all of the concepts. When I review a topic, I ask myself, Now how could this concept be disguised or phrased on the exam?
My plan of attack has included the following:
1) I rise at 5:00 a.m. each morning and get in at least an hour and a half of studying each morning before getting ready for work. I try to make sure that I study at least 3 hours on weekdays and quite a bit more than that on the weekends.
2) I review the materials from my CRAM course during these morning sessions.
3) I attended the AIS REG seminar in Nashville a few weeks ago. I am periodically reviewing this material as well as working additional problems in an additional AIS self-study book that I purchased
4) During my breaks at work during the day, I work multiple choice questions and review the answers when I am finished. I also work simulations as much as possible.
5) I ordered a used college textbook on Entity Taxation and refer to it if I need extra reinforcement on a topic. Its the best $5.00 Ive spent in a while!
6) I listen to audios when driving and study with my REG flashcard app on my iPhone whenever I have extra time waiting in lines, etc.
7) I am in the process of rewriting the NINJA notes.
My biggest challenge has been viewing everything in life through the CPA studying mindset. I find myself measuring such things as joining another couple for dinner or having to make a
Wal-mart trip as How many minutes is this going to take me away from studying? Or, What is that person thinking by trying to require me to do something
dont they realize that time is my most precious commodity right now???
And then I have to smile to myself and say, No, the only people who really understand how valuable time is are those of us who are in the trenches now and doing the studying and also those who paid the price and are now CPAs
One of these days, well all have our lives back and we can enjoy our favorite things again.
Im thankful for the small things that keep spurring me on towards this goal. A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from my Gleim counselor and he included the following quote by Elbert Hubbard in his e-mail, There is no failure except in no longer trying.
And this week, my CPA mentor sent an e-mail in which he said, Dont get down on yourself and give up because you are struggling with a certain section. Just believe in yourself and that one day all of this pain and heart ache will pay off. You are doing a great job and I believe in you.
Encouragement just doesnt get any better than that.
Kim
