Joe is a weekly NINJA CPA Blogger.

Hey NINJAs,

So I have a confession to make. I took a BREAK, a small break, but a break nonetheless!

It was hard to make that decision, but as I found the days and weeks passing by and my availability and motivation to study falling much shorter than the preparation I took for the two exams I had passed, I knew I needed a breather.

I wanted to let the NINJAs know that this is OK and as we have all learned, the CPA exam is marathon and not a sprint. So after three weeks, I am refreshed to start over.

I had already finished 3 chapters of REG, but I am choosing to do those sections over. I recommend to any CPA-in-training that you study start to finish in one fell swoop vs. studying a few chapters, take a break and pick back up where you left off.

It is hard enough to remember chapters 1 and 2 after finishing the last chapter; I can only imagine what that would be like with a few breaks in between.

I started this morning by watching my Chapter 1 review video and I was proud to say that it felt more like a review than I had originally expected. I felt more in control of what I was being taught than the first time around and I fully expect to strengthen my knowledge in these first 3 chapters with a second pass.

I am taking the same approach as I have taken with my two other passing tests. I will watch the videos, take all of the MCQs, review the NINJA Notes and take even more Wiley MCQs as an added bonus.

The more MCQs I can get down in the next 8 weeks the better!

Not much more to add in this post, but I wanted to let you all know that I am back and starting up with REG in full force. I also want everyone to know that taking a break is OK and in some cases, a necessary and beneficial way to rejuvenate yourself.

Good luck and I will speak to you all as I work through Chapters 2 and 3.

Talk to you soon,

Joe