As far as we’re aware, no one has actually been killed by the CPA exam to date. But that doesn’t mean you should push yourself as far over the brink as possible while you’re studying just to tempt fate.
Remember: the CPA exam is a marathon, not a sprint.
You don’t want to be crawling across the finish line with your last bit of energy left (especially if you saved FAR for last)!
Unless you’re into the whole masochist thing (oddly, many accountants do seem to have an affinity for self-inflicted misery), it’s probably a good idea to pace yourself and practice good self-care along the way.
Here’s how:
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Make Things Easy on Yourself
CPAs love to tell CPA candidates how hard they had it “back in the day.”
Shockingly, this isn’t limited to the folks who had to take the exam back when it was all four parts at the same time on pencil and paper: can you even imagine?!
A CPA who passed the exam even five years ago didn’t have some of the same luxuries you have now, so take advantage of them.
What am I talking about? That handy little device in your pocket that can do just about everything except take and pass the exam for you!
There are countless services available nowadays that make it easy for people short on time to do all that pesky adulting stuff. Time is the one thing you need the most when studying for the CPA exam; let’s earn some back, shall we?
If you’re lucky, you live in an area with an abundance of apps ready to serve your every need. From Prime Now to Uber Eats, you really never have to leave the house again (except to work and take the exam of course). Services like Clicklist or Instacart can help with the grocery shopping, and subscription boxes for things like razors and beauty supplies ensure you don’t go wandering out in the world looking like a neanderthal just because you’ve been hunched over a CPA exam review book for seven months straight.
Often the cost of these services is little to minimal; if a $4.99 delivery fee is setting off your budget-minded accountant brain, just think how much more you’ll earn as a CPA once you pass. Buying yourself an extra hour or two of studying a week because you didn’t have to wander the grocery store aisles is a great use of $5 if you ask me.
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Take a F&%#-It Day
Ignoring everything I just said above about having a solid plan, accounting for every hour of your day, and scheduling your refrigerator to magically refill itself once a week, sometimes it’s important to throw all that out the window, go outside, and play.
If you find yourself stressed out, sleepless, anxious, or panicked, it’s time to close the books and take a walk around the block.
Pour that drink.
Take your dog to the park.
Waste an hour scrolling through Reddit.
Do absolutely nothing at all.
Whatever YOU do when YOU need a break from the world, give yourself permission to do that every now and then. Remember that race thing? Even some of the best athletes in the world need to stop and refresh along the way.
Remember Friends and Family
To many partners and friends of CPA exam candidates, it can be like their loved one has fallen off the face of the planet once the process starts. The exam becomes your entire being; it’s all you tweet about, talk about, or think about. It robs your friends and loved ones of time they wish you’d be spending with them instead of that stupid CPA review book.
Although your loved ones may not have any clue what you’re going through, they can also be great support during your CPA exam journey, so don’t let your desire to pass the CPA exam on your first try get in the way of your relationships.
If you’re married or dating, make sure regular time with each other is included on your grand CPA exam plan. Have your partner help quiz you with flash cards. Ask if you need support, or a little extra help around the house, so you can be in the best place possible to study.
It’s Only Temporary
In closing, the most important piece of advice to offer when it comes to staying sane as you tackle the CPA exam is this:
It’s not forever.
In the grand scheme of things, you have so many more life experiences that take up or have taken up way more time: things like school, marriage, or your career. If you stick to your plan and take care of yourself along the way, it’ll be somewhere between 12-18 months of sacrifices.
But is it worth it? 100% Absolutely yes!!