CIMA once again!!

Esme

How are u all feeling about the approaching exams?

I'm unconfident as always :-/

SandyHood

Esme
Which papers will you sit this time?
Sandy

Rinske

I know the feeling!

I still haven't found a lot of time to study, so hopefully I will have some time in the next few weeks, but Im not hopeful.
I've got P1 and I booked two Kaplan masterclasses stuff for next week, which at least will force some time out of me.

At least I finally got to the practice questions now.

Was it E2 and F1 for you?

Esme

I've got P2 and F1, just starting to loose interest a bit but going to try my hardest over the next 3 weeks.

*Jo

I am worrying,

Don't feel nearly ready enough and I'm only sitting one paper F1.

Finding it strange as well not having the forums to rely on so much. When I studied AAT everyone was studying the same papers for the same exams and there was alot of online content to help. The CIMA forum is pants for want of a better word and its really hitting home that i'm doing distance learning alone. I never got that feeling with AAT but then again CIMA is a step up.

I need to get to the practice tests asap as i'm only nearly the last chapter of the study text. I had started studying CIMA onlines course but went and brought the Kaplan book as i've found I don't like the online study. I have still used the online course during the odd lunch break to back up my study but don't think I'll buy it again.

How is everyone else studying?

Claire321

I am also very conscious that the exams are fast approaching! I'm studying for E1 & F1 and haven't found anywhere near enough time to study in the past couple of month. I'm just going to make a big effort over the next 3 weeks but I am finding difficult to remmebr anything!

Esme

I'm studying by the online classroom with BPP which I have found useful with the assistance you get but the revision stage is quite short and I don't think I absorbed enough during the learning stage so am trying to learn the tricky bits and revise at the same time.

taskey

totally unconfident - e1 for me, just not enough time, started a new job as well as carrying on filling for my old job.

oh well, it is all experience, will knuckle down for 3 weeks and eat, sleep and s**t e1 to see if i fair any better lol

tracy

*Jo

I was chatting to a BPP tutor at the awards evening on Friday. The online classroom does sound good, just don't fancy paying out all that cash as i'm self funding.

Glad to hear you have a new job Tracy, is that still for the army in Germany?

The remembering bit needs to come after i've tackled the get it to sink in bit. At the begining of F1 I was all "oh this isn't too bad its pretty much the same as AAT" a couple of pages in and it was ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHH what have I let myself in for??

I was considering not sitting the exam as I don't want to just scrape a pass not at this early stage but I figured I have paid me money so will take me chances. The weeks are flying by. Its certainly taught me one thing. Leave more time to study the next units.

taskey

*Jo wrote: »

Glad to hear you have a new job Tracy, is that still for the army in Germany?

yes, it is the same job, just for a different regiment, i now have 3 accounts to do rather than just one, i am still covering my old job until they replace me.

*Jo

taskey wrote: »

yes, it is the same job, just for a different regiment, i now have 3 accounts to do rather than just one, i am still covering my old job until they replace me.

don't cover it too well or they won't replace you!

Esme

I'm thinking of having a year break after these exams as missing having a life lol!

Does anyone know if I'll have to attend a certain amount of masterclasses over this year for AAT and will I still have to pay my CIMA annual fee?

*Jo

Esme wrote: »

I'm thinking of having a year break after these exams as missing having a life lol!

Does anyone know if I'll have to attend a certain amount of masterclasses over this year for AAT and will I still have to pay my CIMA annual fee?

I can't answer your questions but I considered taking a break for a year but followed the advice of our firms auditor who suggested that after having a break I might not want to continue again.

I did think about this and decided if I got my life back (did I have a life before AAT and CIMA??? I forget )I may never get the will to pick back up the study and continue.

Rinske

To be fair, I agree with Jo, if I take a break now, I might not go back.

Having said that. I should have taken a break this half year, rather than struggling on trying to juggle more things then I can deal with!

*Jo

Rinske wrote: »

To be fair, I agree with Jo, if I take a break now, I might not go back.

Having said that. I should have taken a break this half year, rather than struggling on trying to juggle more things then I can deal with!

Ditto Rinske, but I think its just going to continue like that all the way with CIMA its so much more intense isn't it.

Esme

I know what you are saying but, I went straight from school to 6th form for A Levels, then to Uni got a degree then straight into AAT then straight into CIMA. After these exams I will be half way through the second stage and I really don't think I can carry on with it, it's starting to stress my out too much and depress me that I can't do things in the evenings during the week with friends or just spend the night watching TV.

Not sure if it's just because exams are looming but am going to see how I feel when the next course begins. If I take a 6 months to a year out then I may or may not go back to it but I think I've come far enough to get a good enough job as I've also got the experience.

Rinske

In that case, it sounds like a good enough reason for a break! And you should really go with what you would feel best with!

I'm hoping that my hospital visit at the start of December will be the last one for a while and sort me out, which would hopefully put my mind a bit more back into study mode again, although that's definitely too late for my exam in November.

Esme

Sorry to hear you're going through hard times.

Rinske

Esme wrote: »

Sorry to hear you're going through hard times.

Well, it's part of life!

I just made the mistake of thinking I could combine P1 with the rest, but to be fair, I expected it to be all sorted way before this, so its just my judgement that's wrong.

So have you decided yet if you will go for the break or not? It does sound like you had a long study time behind you and could do with a break! Plus, don't forget, there is no rush.
I know it's nice to get a life back, but you could also see if you could do one unit and have time for a bit of life instead of purely study?

Esme

I'll see how I feel after the break between exams and the next studying beginning but am thinking a longer break is needed! I'm just shattered and had enough lol!

Rinske

Esme wrote: »

I'm just shattered and had enough lol!

I know that feeling all too well at the moment! Even though study wise I have been slacking badly!

*Jo

Esme, do you have anyone close to you who you can talk to? Sometimes a problem shared is a problem halfed andall that (or quartered as you have shared it on the forums ).

It does sound like you are well in need of a rest.

As you are halfway through this level could you consider studying for say 1 unit over six to nine months just until you have completed the next level even if this takes 2 years, as then with your experience its a nice tidy time to break off and will be easier to continue if you want to after a few years. I'm only saying this as with AAT changing qualification it was easier to transfer to a whole new level than try and catch up on one and if CIMA change in the future it may help.

I applaud you for coming this far. I wish I had had the gumption to do all this straight from school instead of now at 36 trying to catch up with the rest of you young ones lol. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Rinske i'm sorry to hear you have to go to hospital. Hopefully as you say it will be the last for a while and your mind can go on better things.

Esme

Thanks Jo, maybe if I do carry on but take it slower and only one unit at a time may be a better solution than stopping completely.

I'll have a think after the exams.

*Jo

Esme wrote: »

Thanks Jo, maybe if I do carry on but take it slower and only one unit at a time may be a better solution than stopping completely.

I'll have a think after the exams.

Good for you and keep coming on the forum for support too. I found it really helped during my AAT studies even just reading that others were finding it hard too helped to reasure me that I could get through it.

I'm only attempting the one unit at the moment too. Not even getting the time to do this one properly but i'm taking it as a nice stroll in the country rather than a race. I will get there in the end and so will you.

Esme

Thanks, which unit are you doing?

*Jo

Esme wrote: »

Thanks, which unit are you doing?

I'm studying F1. I figured as I work in industry do the hardest (for me anyway) unit first to give me a boost! Regretting it now though I should have stuck with what im good at first lol.

Trouble is its going to get harder aint it What kind of place do you work in?

Esme

I'm doing F1 too and finding it a nightmare! The consolidated stuff baffles me!! Spent time on it on Monday and it's sinking in slowly but don't think I'll ever fully understand how to do it.

I'm finding the P units the easiest even though they are the largest.

I work in Industry for the Motor Trade as an Assistant Accountant, what about yourself?

*Jo

Esme wrote: »

I'm doing F1 too and finding it a nightmare! The consolidated stuff baffles me!! Spent time on it on Monday and it's sinking in slowly but don't think I'll ever fully understand how to do it.

I'm finding the P units the easiest even though they are the largest.

I work in Industry for the Motor Trade as an Assistant Accountant, what about yourself?

I'm ok with consolidated until its talking about unrealised profits, then I go a bit heywire lol.

I work as and Assistant Accountant at a Refractory (manufacturers refractory materials). I don't envy you doing both papers together I am trying to build up to that.

Esme

Two papers is hard work as soon as I get confident on one the other one starts creeping down and vice versa! Think I'm finally learning that rushing through as quicly as possible is not the answer lol!

Chinless Wonder

Hi folks

Haven't been on here for ages. Popped on for a bit of light hearted cheering up.... (joking)

I'm currently in preparation for T4, last CIMA exam. Someone in this thread was talking about feeling knackered having gone school - uni - aat - cima, I can sympathise, I feel absolutely knackered now that I'm at this stage and just want to get this exam (number 10 of 10) out of the way. I would almost go so far to say I'm past caring, but that's not quite true.... I'm finding it hard to get too bothered about it and I'm figuring, pass would be great, fail just means another 3 months and is no big deal so why panic. That might sound a bit blase but having been training for nearly 6 years (Aat in 2006/7; unit 10 early 2008; CIMA from Aug 2008) I'm just ready for a BREAK.

Having said all that.... I'm getting the mental equivalent of that nice post-gym muscle ache - I can feel the effect of all the work in my own development (in a good way). I'm now looking at my work environment more as a Management Accountant and less like a Finance officer. I can feel the muscles taughtening up...... I guess the word "training" is appropriate in both settings for a reason.

Re consolidated accounts - this used to be in paper P8 (the old F2) before they changed the syllabus and moved it to F1. I found that paper really tough esp as I was doing P7 (the old F1, but more straightforward) at the time. I guess it means F1 as a first paper must be a bit of a shock to the system. Don't let it put you off!

Anyway - Good luck next week everyone! It's worth it in the end (at least, I bloody well hope so!)

PS a word from the wise..... it's never too late to start your Practical Experience Record (Logbook). I have NOT started mine. Had I been doing it as I went along, I could have submitted it after Strategic meaning I could possibly have been qualified by Xmas ..... now I have a BIG job to do in writing it up!

Esme

Hi Chinless,

Thanks for the encouragement!

I have no idea what the logbook is!!??

It was me who was feeling knackered, now the exams are approaching I'm feeling a bit better about it all (Although not much more confident about passing!). Going to give it one final push then spend next weekend catching up on sleep and enjoying the thought of having nothing to do

Good luck for your T4, you've done really well to get that far so quickly!

Esme