Hi, everyone! Today, I am going to write about the items that are most important to me when I’m studying for the CPA Exam. I am sure that many of you have your own study styles and must have items that you use as well. I would like to share mine with you so that you can use these ideas if they seem helpful to you!
My most valuable item, especially when I’m using the Roger CPA textbook, is a pen called the Pilot Frixion Erasable Pen.
This is such a neat item because you can erase any errors you make in the textbook. I am someone who hesitates to write down notes on a new and clean textbook and I do not feel afraid of making mistakes with pens anymore because I can easily erase my notes and make corrections. If you’re like me, writing with a pencil or lead pencil does not have the same texture or consistency. They smudge easily, are not fine tipped, look sloppy, and can leave marks behind when erased. I highly recommend this pen since it also comes in vivid colors that make notes easy to find in the textbook.
Another item I always make sure to keep handy is a stack of Post-its.
When I start a new section, the first thing I do is make tabs in the book for each chapter with large sized Post-its. In that way, it is easy to find the chapter I’m looking for when I study a specific chapter or review it. On those tabs, I will write the chapter or section name, parts I should review, or what it is I’m struggling with. It’s a great way to literally keep tabs of your progress and to save you time so that you have a little reminder or list telling you exactly what it is in that section that you should be paying extra time and effort to.
The last thing I need to use when I study is a Letter size writing pad.
I use this for my computations when I do practice multiple choice questions. The size, affordability, and being perforated makes this kind of writing pad easy to use as a scratch pad. I recommend having it with you at all times and using it as much as possible to figure out problems and do your thinking on paper. That way it’s right in front of you in a large, physical format and you can see where you went wrong or where you went right.
In the same way that it’s important to have a consistent and steady study routine and schedule, I believe it is equally important to be consistent with the study tools you use. This way your mind and body become conditioned to using certain items to get through the material, helping you retain information better. As someone who loves simplicity, I always stick with these three items. I have them in my backpack and my desk all the time so that I will always have them with me when I get a chance to study. I believe that having these kind of must-have items for studying and a study routine helps me study efficiently and helps me switch into the study mindset. I hope some of these ideas help you too.
What are some of your must-have study tools? Let us know in the comments below or on social!
–J. Frazier, Guest Blogger for Roger CPA Review