NJSCPA Exam Cram Blog

See Ya Later, Social Life

I suppose, as this is my first official Exam Cram post, I should introduce myself:

My name is Lauryn and I am a staff accountant with WithumSmith+Brown in Red Bank, NJ. I graduated May of 2011 from Georgian Court University, on a Friday, and began taking a Becker CPA Exam Review class the following Monday. Needless to say, the lack of break probably wasn't the best move on my part as I did not pass my first round of exams. You see, I am not the type of person who can read something out of a book and memorize it. I need real-world experience in order to really feel comfortable with a concept. So here I am, first tax season behind me (and appropriately documented) and ready to once again jump into the jungle that is studying for the CPA exam. Current task? Audit, with an exam date of July 6th.

I am a little behind on posting as I have been studying for about three weeks now. I gave myself ten weeks to study. I think, during my first round of exams, I rushed myself and sat for tests I wasn't necessarily ready for. This time around, I am giving myself a week-and-a-half per chapter, with plenty of time for a final review.

My strategy this time around is to re-read all of the chapters, watch all of the Becker videos, and answer all of the questions. I read somewhere that if you keep telling yourself, "All I need is a 75%," you won't pass. You have to aim for 100%! That way, if you mess up a little, you still have some wiggle room. If I don't do well on a set of questions (which has only happened once so far, thank God) I plan on skipping that set and coming back to it during final review. I would like to use that time to really dive in to the topics that I don't understand. I also plan on asking my co-workers about these topics. I find that I learn more when I talk something out -- so hopefully I can find someone who can talk out the tricky concepts with me!

I plan on starting chapter three today, which is sure to be challenging with Memorial Day weekend BBQ's clogging up my calendar. I have a huge stack of flashcards I'll be toting along with me if I do venture out of the house. Yes, I will be that girl at the party! I'm hoping I can make a decent dent in my study schedule over the three-day weekend even if that means kissing my social life goodbye. Next post, I'll try to include some of the challenges I stumble upon on the road to the exam. Maybe I'm not the only one!

Here's to conquering Memorial Day Weekend.

Wish me luck!

Lauryn

Countdown: -7

Wow!!! Only 7 days to the FAR test. The pressure is on.

The brain feels like a small factory where machines are puffing and steaming, pistons and mechanical arms are cranking and hammering, workers are sweaty and greasy, electric charges are sparking out … trying to connect, join, and combine all the information and come up with the right answer.

Will I pass and see the ‘Holy Grail’ closer?  Or will I have to repeat the test in a couple of months?  Mhmmm ?!?

Test on the 30^th, but the result is only after the 8^th of June.

Well I will have plenty of time for myself and my family.

And I will be looking for my dream job in an accounting firm.

Stay tuned for more.

Claudio B.

…“Go straight to Jail, without collecting $200”

That’s Monopoly.

However, I think starting from step ONE is in order. I mean: let me go back and introduce myself.

I was born in Verona, Italy – city of Romeo and Juliet, the Arena (ancient Roman coliseum for gladiators, naval battles and operas in modern days), and where I obtained my first accounting degree. Several years ago I moved to California soon realizing I had to start all over again.

In Dec. 2010 I graduated from San Diego State University. Thereafter, I moved to NJ and started the CPA examination.

In case you wonder why sometimes I write “silly” posts on the blog, it is my life’s philosophy since the movie “Life is Beautiful”, 1997.

Accounting – or life in general for that matter – doesn’t have to be always stiff, serious, and cold (as common wisdom depicts accountants). You can have a smile on your face from time to time; and laughing is healthy.

This is the main point of the movie: the director/producer/actor Roberto Benigni turned a horrible topic – the Jew’s life under the Nazi regime – into a fun game for the son. He looked at a negative situation with a positive perspective.

I am not so old to have witnessed those atrocities, but I lived them through the eyes of my grandparents’ recounts and with many pictures taken as testimonial.

That movie made me change my own attitude toward life, trying to focus on the positive, rather on the negative.

Hence, unless for formal writings for work, I like to write – and live – putting a smile on my face and on the one of the receiver of my messages.    

 

Now, BACK TO STUDY.

FAR test is less than 2 weeks and I switched on the PANIC mode.

 

Stay tuned for more.

 

Claudio B.

Summer Time studying

With Memorial Day Weekend, BBQ's and summer right around the corner, it will be easy to forget to pick up those books to study. So why not combine that trip to the beach and a quick study hour? Bring that ipad or that book to the beach, study for an hour or so while your waiting for the water to warm up and that's it! It could be easier than you think.

Until Next time

LIFE

Dear Colleague Candidates:

Willing to title my post: “Life’s Rants” as I was typing it, I changed my mind to a more positive connotation.    Just: “LIFE!”

Please, all of you, unite with me and together encourage every fellow accounting student to sign up for the examination as soon as possible!

On the graduation day,

When you receive your magic roll,

DO NOT PUT IT DOWN

Unless you sign up for the CPA Exam.

DO NOT WAIT !!!

DO NOT PROCASTINATE !!!

TAKE THE EXAM !!!

LIFE IS COMING !!!

 

Life with all privileges and perks: find a beauty, start a family, give birth to a new accounting student…

Remember every LIFE’s privilege comes with a cost, at least of your precious time.

Once I read somewhere that wine is the god’s beverage,… but I think coffee is the accountant’s beverage.

So: sign up ASAP for the CPA Exam. LIFE is coming, taking your breath away.

Claudio B.