Whether you are sitting professional accountancy exams for the first time or returning for your next set of exams, the months ahead can feel like a daunting prospect.
In this article, I am going to share with you some of my most frequently asked questions as we head into exam season.
How many hours of study should I be doing in a week?
This is without doubt the question I get asked most often by students. The answer is, there is no “right” number of hours you should be studying in a week. We are all different and as students we all study differently.
The hours you put in depend on how close your exams are, whether you are studying smart or studying hard, and what other personal commitments you have.
It is not about the quantity of hours you study, it is about the quality of the study you do.
Your study plan or study goal for a particular day might be “today I want study 2 hours of financial reporting”. This is an outcome goal.
A more effective way of thinking about your study, is to set yourself learning goals. An example of a learning goal is “Today, I want to learn the double entry book-keeping treatment of bad debts”. After your study session, check to see if you have achieved your goal. You will be able to hold yourself to account and ascertain whether you “understand the double entry book-keeping treatment for bad debts”. Learning goals help you stay focused and on track.
How can I study “smart” as opposed to studying hard?
I mentioned already the concept of studying “smart”. Smart study is incorporating self-testing or retrieval practice into all your study sessions. Instead of passively re-reading notes, actively test yourself on what you’ve learned. This will give you feedback on what you know and don’t know.
This could involve answering questions from your questions banks, completing a sample paper or sample questions under exam conditions and summarizing key points without looking at your notes.
Make retrieval practice a regular part of your study routine. Start each session by recalling what you learned in the last study session, then review it to fill in gaps.
Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Every mistake gives you information on what you know and what you don’t know. It’s what you do with the mistakes is what counts.
How can I get motivated to study?
Motivation follows action. No matter how much you want to pass your exams, there will be times will be times when you would rather clean the kitchen than study. That’s ok. Feeling de-motivated is perfectly normal.
When you are feeling de-motivated:
- Start with a quick win. This might be doing a question from your question bank on the material you learned in the last study session.
- Break your task down into small manageable chunks. When we think of all the material we need to cover for our exams, it can feel over whelming. Breaking it all down into bitesize chunks can make study feel more manageable.
- Disrupt your pattern. To break an unmotivated period, you need to change your state of mind. Instead of forcing yourself to start studying immediately, just summon the energy to do something different first. Get fresh air, do a stretch, have a large glass of water.
How do I handle unexpected work demands that disrupt my study schedule?
For some of you, you will be coming into a busy season at work in the months of January to March.
Balancing study with work and personal commitments can be overwhelming, especially during busy periods.
- Know your busy times at work. Talk to your colleagues to get an understanding of the demands of your various work assignments. Make sure your study plan is flexible and realistic knowing there will be busy times at work.
- Communicate with your manager especially if you are working long hours and need to attend lectures. They may not realise that you must attend lectures of a particular night.
- Understand that disruptions are normal. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Flexibility and resilience are the key to balancing work and study schedules
Remember, progress not perfection. Accept that some days will be more productive than others and adjust accordingly.
What can I do if I feeling overwhelmed?
Prioritise your well-being. Your mental and physical well-being is the foundation of your exam success.
- Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. Sleep consolidates memory and helps with your focus, concentration and general wellbeing.
- Fuel your brain with a balanced diet and stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Incorporate regular physical activity, even if it’s a short walk or a quick workout. Exercise reduces stress and boosts cognitive function.
- Schedule downtime to recharge. Activities like meditation, yoga, or simply enjoying a hobby can help you decompress and stay focused.