CFA Time Saving Tips

The most important factor contributing to your success is how much you study. There may not be one major thing you can do to save time and study more, but by executing lots of small time saving activities you can squeeze out up to an extra hour of studying per weeknight. Some of these time saving actions might seem ridiculous and funny, but remember not to ignore time saving techniques because they can mean the difference between passing and failing. The following are tips that will help you make the most of your time:

• Avoid alcohol consumption
• Late nights of drinking will ruin your study plan by making you tired, which decreases your retention and reduces your motivation, especially on weekends when putting in four to five hours of studying per day is critical.
• Try to log 10 hours of studying before the weekend begins
  
• Myself and my friends found it helpful to get as much studying done as possible during the week because the weekend is distracting.
• Cook and buy quick dinners and lunches
• During your study tenure and especially during the last two months you should save time by eating healthy meals that can be made or bought quickly.
• Study during lunch
• This is the perfect time to study the formulas
• On Sunday, prepare dinners for the entire week
• Don’t fool yourself into thinking you will be able to spend the same amount of time with friends and family as before. By accepting early on that you need to make time sacrifices in order to sufficiently prepare you will do better on the exam.
• Shower quickly :)
• Ask roommates to help you with errands.
• If your roommate is already going to the grocery store and you need something, ask him or her to pick it up for you.
• Study on the way to work
• If you can’t read while commuting, buy the Schweser mp3s so you can listen to the material. Listening to the material isn’t ideal, because there is no substitute for reading (for most people), however, listening is better than nothing.
• Make copies of each formula list (found in the back of each Schweser book) and keep one in your work bag, car, and bathroom. Make an effort to review the formulas during lunch or when you’re in the car with someone (thanks Sapna:)
• Use TIVO, DVR, and replay TV. Record all of your favorite shows and watch them all at once, fast forwarding through commercials.
• If your employer is flexible, commute to work during low traffic time periods or try to work at home one day every week.