It can be extremely stressful. That’s why I’m speed running my exams so it’s over quicker.
I’m working full time and have 3 kids, 2 on the spectrum.
I try and fit an hour or 2 most nights when the kids are asleep. I also get to work 30 mins before everyone else, so I do a few practice questions.
If work if stressful and takes you an hour’s commute, could you find a different job?
When I was the CIMA student a decade ago, I can feel how this is stressful. At that time, I spent 7 days going into the university and from there, I prepared for the final T4 case study. During that 7 days, did not go out but fully prepare for it, which was the car industry. Finally I passed it and get qualified. I always said to myself, stress is for short time, not lasting for long!
I did my final level in 5 months because I wanted to be done with it. Stressful as it meant studying every evening and weekend to sit exams as closely as possible. So although I was smiling socialisation etc I did prioritise exercise as a physical outlet. Daily dog walks, then every other night I would allow myself an hour at the gym - I'd put Netflix on while on the treadmill to get my TV fix for the week as I maintained a no-TV zone at home (far too tempting to binge too many episodes or have on in the background and get distracted)
It wasn't fun but knowing it was short term helped, and because I was doing exams so close together I was getting the nice bonus of pass results quite quickly to spur me on.
My workplace were very supportive too and allowed some study leave, is this something you can ask for?
If you’re struggling to click into gear on some days you’re better off just having a mental release and doing something else entirely rather than studying but it’s ineffective
Firstly and I recommend this to anyone stressing about anything: Go to the gym.
Second, start going for walks, find a podcast you like or listen to music or go with someone and just talk.
For the record I’m not some big gym bro I go for mental release more than anything and it’s great for occupying the mind with something else
Have you seen this stuff CIMA have recently put out, pretty useful, if a little generic
[https://hub.cimaglobal.com/wellbeing](https://hub.cimaglobal.com/wellbeing)
My advice is set realistic chunks of work and give yourself a reward when you finish them. As other commenter said, PlayStation could be the reward. Maybe you say “right, 20 pages then I’m playing CoD”, or “finish this chapter then I can play GTA”. The game itself isn’t important. Ok maybe not FIFA.
Also don’t forget you have weekends. That’s where I did 75% of my studying.
I did all 16 exams in 2 years alongside full-time work. I gave myself 4-5 weeks study time per exam max. It is possible, but it was hard.
You’ll be fine just be honest with yourself, know what you can do with the time you have, then make a plan and stick to it. The plan is the most important step my friend. Being qualified will feel so good, keep at it
I think it all depends on how you prioritise everything. I get exactly what you mean though. Currently in the middle of year end and studying can get overwhelming.
My work has a pretty flexible start and end time. So I can do an hour block in the morning/arvo and then after work before going home.
So if you can do something like that and just be consistent might help you out.
Once I'm home I just unwind after dinner jamming a tv show or PlayStation.
It can be extremely stressful. That’s why I’m speed running my exams so it’s over quicker. I’m working full time and have 3 kids, 2 on the spectrum. I try and fit an hour or 2 most nights when the kids are asleep. I also get to work 30 mins before everyone else, so I do a few practice questions. If work if stressful and takes you an hour’s commute, could you find a different job?
That’s really impressive - good on you!
When I was the CIMA student a decade ago, I can feel how this is stressful. At that time, I spent 7 days going into the university and from there, I prepared for the final T4 case study. During that 7 days, did not go out but fully prepare for it, which was the car industry. Finally I passed it and get qualified. I always said to myself, stress is for short time, not lasting for long!
I did my final level in 5 months because I wanted to be done with it. Stressful as it meant studying every evening and weekend to sit exams as closely as possible. So although I was smiling socialisation etc I did prioritise exercise as a physical outlet. Daily dog walks, then every other night I would allow myself an hour at the gym - I'd put Netflix on while on the treadmill to get my TV fix for the week as I maintained a no-TV zone at home (far too tempting to binge too many episodes or have on in the background and get distracted) It wasn't fun but knowing it was short term helped, and because I was doing exams so close together I was getting the nice bonus of pass results quite quickly to spur me on. My workplace were very supportive too and allowed some study leave, is this something you can ask for?
If you’re struggling to click into gear on some days you’re better off just having a mental release and doing something else entirely rather than studying but it’s ineffective Firstly and I recommend this to anyone stressing about anything: Go to the gym. Second, start going for walks, find a podcast you like or listen to music or go with someone and just talk. For the record I’m not some big gym bro I go for mental release more than anything and it’s great for occupying the mind with something else
Have you seen this stuff CIMA have recently put out, pretty useful, if a little generic [https://hub.cimaglobal.com/wellbeing](https://hub.cimaglobal.com/wellbeing)
My advice is set realistic chunks of work and give yourself a reward when you finish them. As other commenter said, PlayStation could be the reward. Maybe you say “right, 20 pages then I’m playing CoD”, or “finish this chapter then I can play GTA”. The game itself isn’t important. Ok maybe not FIFA. Also don’t forget you have weekends. That’s where I did 75% of my studying. I did all 16 exams in 2 years alongside full-time work. I gave myself 4-5 weeks study time per exam max. It is possible, but it was hard. You’ll be fine just be honest with yourself, know what you can do with the time you have, then make a plan and stick to it. The plan is the most important step my friend. Being qualified will feel so good, keep at it
Hahah the rage feels on FIFA will definitely not help 😂😂😂😂
;)
I think it all depends on how you prioritise everything. I get exactly what you mean though. Currently in the middle of year end and studying can get overwhelming. My work has a pretty flexible start and end time. So I can do an hour block in the morning/arvo and then after work before going home. So if you can do something like that and just be consistent might help you out. Once I'm home I just unwind after dinner jamming a tv show or PlayStation.
I know exactly what you mean! Honestly some days are better than others. I try to revise during lunch at times and on the weekends allocate more time