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Gurifissu

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I have not hit the books in a month guys… and I feel like I am going to fail in June if something does not shift now. Started my new job beginning of 2016 and dedicated most of my time to it, but now I have to pick myself up and start grinding. Only issue is, I find the material quite boring and I feel like I’ll never get up to speed quick enough to tackle the exam. I have summarized all but one book (ethics), but I have not attempted the blue boxes/EoCs yet.
Has anyone been through the same situation? Any advice? I feel beyond burnt out and I really need someone to talk some sense into me.
 
Gurifissu wrote:
.. I have summarized all but one book (ethics), but I have not attempted the blue boxes/EoCs yet.
Has anyone been through the same situation? Any advice? I feel beyond burnt out and I really need someone to talk some sense into me.
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Why not start Mock Exams now? You have experience from L1 and L2 with Ethics and GIPS, so why not dive right in to mocks?
 
I’ve seen you post in the L2 forums before, I think you are intelligent enough to handle this exam. You’re going to need a second run through the material though.
I’m working on my second pass right now and you’d be surprised how much you pick up. I believe that it reinforces your knowledge because you’re not approaching it from a learning point of view on your second pass, but a reinforcement view. You pick up intricacies you gloss over.
Designate a study schedule and stick with it. Starting with the schedule is more difficult than sticking to it. The first week is usually where I have the most trouble. After you get into the habit, you’ll stick with it.
For example, my schedule is:
6 pm - 9 pm: Monday-Thursday
4 hours on Sunday
For a total of about 14-16 hours each week (including variance). I have been sticking to this since November 10th.
Make plans around your study time. Before you know it, you’ll start to feel guilty for violating your study time.
 
I think I can grind 20-25h a week if I set my mind to it. 3.5 months is short and I do not mind sacrificing my life for the exam over that period. I just need a wake up call, that’s all!
 
I agree with the comment above - dive into mocks. My advise is to use ARIF videos you cover topics quickly and after each book attempt mocks from Analystninja here: http://www.analystninja.com/. I started very late last year sometime mid March but the videos really helped but my problem is that i did not do any mocks so failed Band 10.
 
You have done a great job since you summarized all the books except Ethics. That’s a huge part of understanding the material and being able to write about it for the AM.
Take a week or two off then start BB and EOC. If you’re going to do mocks early, use the older ones or third party mocks and save the real CFAI ones for later when you need to know where you stand. It’s ok to be burn out, do something fun, recover and come back. Summarizing those books is a huge accomplishment, be proud of yourself!
 
Gurifissu wrote:
I have not hit the books in a month guys… and I feel like I am going to fail in June if something does not shift now. Started my new job beginning of 2016 and dedicated most of my time to it, but now I have to pick myself up and start grinding. Only issue is, I find the material quite boring and I feel like I’ll never get up to speed quick enough to tackle the exam. I have summarized all but one book (ethics), but I have not attempted the blue boxes/EoCs yet.
Has anyone been through the same situation? Any advice? I feel beyond burnt out and I really need someone to talk some sense into me.
Click to expand...
Seems like you just need a bit of motivation. You’re well advanced in the process and have plenty of time to grind. Why don’t you make it a goal to..not just pass the exam, but to crush it. Imagine yourself posting a perfect score matrix on this forum in August. Nothing will be boring if you keep your eyes on a prize, whatever it is ;)
 
You’ve already made a full pass through the curriculum? It’s February. 17th. Holy overreaction.
I guarantee you’re actually well ahead of the curve. If you need motivation, scratch that thought and work on discipline instead.
 
I read each section, watched the classes & did questions as I went through the curriculum and didn’t get through it until April 20th. Then did a review & mocks after that. I think you’re fine, just focus, block out the family for a bit (I know it’s hard, but worth it for the long run) & give yourself rewards for staying on schedule. I’m assuming you have a goal schedule. If not I recommend creating one asap. Do you really want to go through this again? If not, then get moving!
 
I read each section, watched the classes & did questions as I went through the curriculum and didn’t get through it until April 20th. Then did a review & mocks after that. I think you’re fine, just focus, block out the family for a bit (I know it’s hard, but worth it for the long run) & give yourself rewards for staying on schedule. I’m assuming you have a goal schedule. If not I recommend creating one asap. Do you really want to go through this again? If not, then get moving!
 
Your fine. My suggestion would be to take a weekend off with no work or study. Do something relaxing. Sounds like your mind is overheated bc of new job and CFA scares. After this start hitting blue boxes and EOCs then move right to mocks. You must understand the structure of this exam more than I and II to pass, that is the essay part. Mock, learn, repeat.
 
steal study time. You can actually get a long way running through notecards during your commute. 15-20 minutes each day is a lot better than nothing.
Set small goals. Maybe its not having a single zero day. Or reading 1 page a day. Or making 1 notecard a day.
These little goals can break the stagnation and restart your momentum.
 
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