Many accountancy students after the exams in June are able to put their studies aside until September when college courses restart. As a distance learner a week after the exams I sent off for my new course books and started to study my two new subjects. Six weeks later someway into the new courses I am finding it very hard to maintain the required motivation to study. I've been here before but somehow it seems more difficult this time. There are just too many distractions with the kids on school holiday and the summer weather encouraging me to be out and about rather than indoors studying.
When I first start a new course it seems refreshing to be learning something different rather than revising over and over the same material in preparation for the exams. It doesn’t take long for the novelty to wear off before I miss the comfort of studying a subject I understand and know well. The December exams are a long way off but I have to maintain the motivation to study and put in the hours in now. With family and work commitments I have to spread my studying throughout the year.
Marathon runners are know to 'hit the wall', which is the point where their body is telling them to stop and only mind over matter keeps them going. Earlier this week I feel as though I have 'hit the wall' with my studies and only extreme determination and rational thinking is going to keep me going.
My first tactic has been to remind myself of why I am studying. It helps to remember the benefits both in terms of status and financial that will result from become an accountant. It also helps to remind myself that my employer is paying for my course and in return expects me to take my studying seriously and complete the qualification. My employer is relying on me gaining the required skills so that I am able to make a full and useful contribution to the organisation.
Having reminded myself of the importance of my studies I then took at look at the practicalities of studying. It can be difficult to study in the evening when I am tired therefore a couple of mornings this week I got into work extremely early and did a couple of hours study when my brain is most alert. I looked again at my study timetable and have been more realistic about the hours I can put in during the summer when the kids are off school. Studying less over the summer will give me a break to some extent without having to completely put my books aside.
With so many courses to pass study fatigue is inevitable. Hopefully I can overcome this by reminding myself of the benefits of being an accountant and being practical about when I study. My intention is to focus on the next goal rather than thinking too far ahead about how many more courses I need to pass. Now like many other students I can just get on with worrying about the exam results!!
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