Get Organized: Accounting seniors are faced with the overwhelming task of managing their time between school work, part-time employment and preparing for the exam. If you find yourself spread too thin and not keeping up, it is likely due to poor organization of your priorities. Design a conservative schedule to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Use your CPA review course outline to designate which days you will review each specific section. Coordinate this plan with review course lectures to complement your other responsibilities. Make sure to plan "catch up days" each week to account for unexpected events.

Put First Things First: The more stress you can alleviate by eliminating outside responsibilities the easier it will be to focus on passing the exam. This may mean giving the CPA review course priority over school and work for the next three months. Help yourself by scheduling a light class load when you plan on taking the exam and minimizing your employment hours. The long-term benefits you will receive from passing the exam on the first try will far outweigh the benefits of working now.

Find a Study Buddy: Find a study partner who will complement your style of learning and motivate you to keep up with the review. This may mean avoiding a best friend as a partner. The key is to study course materials alone and then use a partner to discuss confusing sections and to quiz one another. Designate a specific location where you will study everyday to help develop a routine. Select a convenient location that is away from major distractions. The more convenient you can make studying the more likely you are to stick to a routine.

Keep Health in Check: No matter how motivated you are to ace the exam, you will never succeed by depriving your body of necessary nutrients and rest. Get more than the recommended amount of rest. Snack on foods that generate long term energy rather than those that will leave you feeling sluggish. Find 20 to 30 minutes a day to dedicate to exercise. Keeping your body functioning at a healthy level is essential in preventing burnout.

Reward Your Hard Work: All work and no play will leave you feeling run down and unmotivated. Give yourself a study break every couple of hours. It is also important to dedicate one or two nights a week for socializing with friends. This will help keep you fresh and relaxed.

Maintain a positive attitude to sustain the motivation and energy needed to balance your demanding schedule. Keep your goal in mind at all times and study hard. It will pay off when you pass the CPA exam your first try!