#2ndcourser

Background: I am fresh graduate with a degree in Accounting. I’m obviously not an A+ student, I’ve experienced failures and I have a short attention span. Here’s how I survived college (even if I got delayed)

How to stay motivated?

- Acknowledge that you cannot always be motivated. Inspirational quotes and simple cheers from you family and friends could help. But I tell you, it doesn’t work all the time.

-Motivation helps you to start studying but the true secret to keep going is DISCIPLINE. 

-By developing a routine and strictly following it is a good start to build discipline. I won’t give a specific tip for this since everyone has a different life. You need to figure out this yourself. 

For an example:

Majority of the classes I used to have were scheduled in the afternoon, so what I do is that I wake up very early (4-5AM). I eat my breakfast, do minor chores then off to study what I needed to for that day. How do I do it? I read and analyze the concept first. Then, if there’s some problems needed to solve, I try to do it (if I can) Whatever works for me may not work for you. Some people would say their best time to study is in the evening. 

How to study when you can’t? (due to personal circumstances)

-There are a lot of factors for this one. It’s probably you have a part-time job, or you have other responsibilities like taking care of a family member, etc. 

-The first thing you need to do when you can’t study (or you feel there are a lot of constraint to study) is to ACCEPT THE SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW. 

-The next thing you need to do is to think of a game plan. For an example, your whole morning to afternoon is occupied for other important things, you should make time in the evening to study.

-Since you have limited time to study, absorb everything you can in class so you can thoroughly focus on topics you don’t know (or those with difficulty) on your free time.

How to study a topic that you don’t like

-Make notes for it, make it pretty and colorful to boost motivation. 

-Understand the concept thoroughly. You know you have understand the concept if you can explain it to another person.

-Do concept mapping; whatever it is that will help you: your own formula derived from what is given from the book, making charts, graphs, tables, etc. Story telling the topic helps too. 

How to deal with professors

-Treat them the way you want them to treat you.

-They are usually older than you so give them respect.

-Try not to argue with your professors, but if you feel violated tell the higher authority. 

-Ask questions if you need to since it’s their job to answer you. 

How to deal with classmates

-Distinguish the people who are true to you and those who are fake (who are just using you)

-Remember that college is temporary and majority of the people you’ll meet there are not for long-term.

-Group works are pain in the a** but yeah, don’t be that a**hole group mate.

-Even if friendships are temporary in college, you should engage communications with your colleagues since you need each other to go throughout college.

How to save money in college

-Learn to say no when a friend asks you out to hang out (but don’t do it too often, you might lose friends)

-Get a part-time job if you can

-Bring your own snacks and lunch

-Bring your own water bottle.

-Maximize your resources. Always check first if you really need to buy a specific thing before actually purchasing it. 

How to spend your time productively while commuting

-I like to divide my productivity into two parts: For studying and for leisure. Sometimes I study while commuting; I read e-books, power point presentations, PDFs or even watch Youtube videos that are relative to the topics I need to learn.

-Sometimes I do the things I want for leisure during the commute so that when I get home, I won’t be too burnout to study. I listen to music, watch random videos, checking out Tumblr, and whatever floats your boat.

Other tips:

-Don’t drink too much coffee. PLEASE! (Alternatives; but take it in moderation: hot chocolate, milk tea (it works too, but caution: too much sugar), candy, apple)

-Don’t drink energy drinks if your body is not used to it. 

-Try to be-friend people from the Accounting department (or whoever processes promissory notes) just in case you can’t pay your tuition on time, they can help you with your promissory note.

-It’s okay to switch classes (if you can) especially if the professor is not that good.

-If the professor allows you to record the lecture, then do it. You can listen to it while commuting or re-writing your notes. (this will help you remember the lessons more)

-BE RESOURCEFUL. The internet is your friend. 

It's been a while since I shared whatever happened to me after the board exam. In November, I was still sending out CVs and applying for jobs online. Somehow along the way I got tired and decided to take a rest until January.

Life at home

Being a homebody does not mean I'm just doing netflix and chill all day. In fact it seems like I'm busy just like anyone having an 8 hour job (even going beyond that). Sometimes I cook meals, I do wash the dishes, prepare stuff for the family, cleaning and other errands. I was always on the go. I never felt that I have time to actually go and binge k-dramas because I was so busy (chores + other personal things I couldn't disclose)

While I am stuck at home, I have developed new hobbies like doing clay art (I use air dry clay) and bullet journal. These activities have been my coping mechanism for healing.

Going to a faraway place for healing

Most of the time, I feel okay but there are days where I would experience mental breakdowns. I have never visited a psychiatrist (because I couldn't afford it + I don't want to be a burden to my family at that time since money was an issue and I'm not contributing at all). Sometimes I get into heated arguments with my parents and I told them why they never understood how I felt. With all that explaining, still they never knew how to cope up. I was tired and mentally drained. It was such an emotional torture.

During the holidays, my grandmother decided I take some time off at home and she brought me with her. We went to a faraway place from home where my uncle and cousins live. I am so used to housework that even I was there I wanted to help but they all stopped me and told me I was there for a vacation. It was a breather. I lived for more than a week without worries.

I brought my bullet journal with me so during my free time, I was just preparing designs for 2020. While on vacation, my friend offered me a freelance writing job. I took the opportunity and up to this point I am still writing.

Coming back home and continued applying for jobs

When I went home after the holidays, the situation at home has become more bearable. Also, I felt that my family had become more understanding to me. I started applying for jobs again. I jumped from one interview into another.

During the process, I still continued my freelance job and other tasks at home. I was at the peak of my productivity since I was also researching about freelance remote jobs.

I got hired!

I finally got hired in January! But the process was so long that I have only started last month. I continued my old routine and maximized all my remaining free days. I have been working since February and so far all is well. There isn't that much to share at this point but as always, I am wishing for a happy 2020. I hope this year will be a life full of possibilities and new experiences.

I just feel like I have an accountability to tell this (if anyone's concerned about it)

I am part of the 85.68% of examinees who did not become Certified Public Accountant this October 2019. It took me so long to be here and still not becoming a part of those 14.32% who passed.

There may be a lot of factors but I don't want to point fingers to anyone, not even myself. It's the worst I could do if I would bring myself to the lowest despite everything.

We don't know what's wrong but if there are around 2000+ people who passed out of almost 14500 then it must have been something achievable.

Regardless, I am still waiting for the verification of ratings and hoping at least to be have a conditional status.

Never I have been so firm in my decision in life. I have decided to apply for a job ASAP (regardless whether condi or failed). If condi, I will pursue this May 2020 and if not I'll be taking a rest until I feel okay.

190714 • we spent the night at the hotel but i gtg early since i have review classes

Yes, finally!!! I can’t believe this day has come. I started to create this studyblr right after I finished my first degree, Accounting Technology. I’ve experience A LOT OF FAILURES trying to pursue BS Accountancy. Most of the people I’ve started this journey with already left the program (whether they simply just stopped, transferred, shifted) I questioned the system of the school, the management, the other misdeeds of my classmates. I also had a lot in mind why this degree requires tremendous efforts, tears when in reality when you go to a BIG 4 you’ll get underpaid in the end. 

I could have stopped pursuing the CPA dream and just live as a normal person who can do still do accounting. But I was possibly too hurt and would feel more hurt if I quit and not attaining anything at all. Of course, my mental health and my relationships with my family & friends were also on the line. It was really hard, it took me a while to finally realize things. 

“Life is unfair and it will always be”

I have resented cheaters who obviously got ahead before me and even the upper management who turn blind eye for all “bad genius” things that happened. I questioned a lot why I have this kind of life wherein I cannot focus 100% of the time because I have a lot of family things to do. It was all “whys” until slowly, I finally realized that the solution to all of my problems will only be solved if I had taken things to a different perspective.

I have realized that there are a lot of things not under my control and I cannot do anything about it. But for things I can manage, I should control it the way I need it to be. 

I realized that studying smart > studying hard. I could study for almost whole day without getting the full gist of what I need to know vs. studying for few hours at my most productive time and fully understanding it more.

I also realized that instead of complaining to my family that I could not do certain things because I need to study or do something else, I should just do it anyway. I managed to maintain my calmness (despite being under the fire sign) because honestly, though it would take time I’d rather do it. I’ve severed more emotional pain arguing with my family rather than just doing it.

I am also (slowly) trying not to give a f*** about everyone. Whether it is my classmate doing unethical things, the head degrading us, my neighbors and relatives who keep on whining “why is this girl not working and still studying???” 

Before, I used to regret why I still tried to enter this tiger cage that I cannot escape out but now I am thankful. Even though it tainted my transcript of record, have putted me on my lowest I am still happy for the fact that I have gained my most trusted friends in this process. I was also able to have a better relationship with my family amidst everything that have happened. Without these hardships, I would not fully understand that the world have different kinds of people and thankfully through this bitter-sweet process that I would carry into the professional world, I would know how to deal with them later on. Also, I was able to like EXO amidst all crazy things that have happened in my Accountancy life. I would not have clicked on that video if I wasn’t in my lowest state. 

James 4:3  “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” I used to have doubts, but maybe if you finally do trust fully what you ask, you will receive. 

191103 • I randomly started to bullet journal again. I know this is a lined notebook but I ran out of dotted notebooks so this will suffice for now. Shine and Love Scenario are two songs that kept me sane during my review days.