Am I cut out for this?

[Bandgeek050]

Is there anyone else out there that sometimes stops during studying or readings and thinks, "Maybe I'm not really cut out for this." Or, "How am I ever going to figure this stuff out?" or "Does anyone really have enough room for this material in their brains??"

Somedays I think, I've rocked it this far and I definitely have it in me to keep going.
Other days I feel like I have no idea how I made it this far. That I don't belong and I should know WAY more than I do.

Can anyone relate?

I can relate. I just learned that I probably failed my second enrollment exam in a row. These exams are more a test of endurance than anything else. Hang in there.

[Laurelinda]

If you eventually manage to pass, you know as much as you should. Sometimes if you don't pass, you still know as much as you should. Very unlikely, though, that you would pass without knowing as much as you should.

Keep on keeping on!

[quint]

It's probably ironic to recommend a book to someone who is tired of studying, but I recently discovered that a friend of mine (Nick Mocciolo) from graduate school wrote a book. We took several classes together at UConn - Storrs. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Making-Grade-G...1377541&sr=1-1

I have not ordered the book (yet) but was impressed by even the excerpted text on amazon. If nothing else, have a read through the same.

No, I'm not getting a cut of royalties or anything. But it should be great reading for anyone along the exam process who is looking for a boost.

Originally Posted by Bandgeek050

Is there anyone else out there that sometimes stops during studying or readings and thinks, "Maybe I'm not really cut out for this." Or, "How am I ever going to figure this stuff out?" or "Does anyone really have enough room for this material in their brains??"

Somedays I think, I've rocked it this far and I definitely have it in me to keep going.
Other days I feel like I have no idea how I made it this far. That I don't belong and I should know WAY more than I do.

Can anyone relate?

Dear Bandgeek050,

If it takes more than 8 years for you to get fellow, it probably isn't worth it. If you are already >4 years in, if you estimate it will take over 5 years still, stopping is a good idea.

Regards,

RagBear

[Adversely Selected]

Originally Posted by RagBear

Dear Bandgeek050,

If it takes more than 8 years for you to get fellow, it probably isn't worth it. If you are already >4 years in, if you estimate it will take over 5 years still, stopping is a good idea.

Regards,

RagBear

I would never put a specific year on whether you should stop or not. It all depends on work/life balance. If you have obtained a position in your company that you are comfortable with and have no pressures to continue with exams and exams are putting additional stress on family, you may consider stopping.

I never really think about it. I've been working 5 1/2 years and plan to be taking Exam 5 for the first time this spring. I didn't always take exams seriously early in my career, but now that I have a family, I've had an increased drive to complete them. This has put big stresses on the family, but it is worth it (even if it takes me more than 8 years). I'm driven to complete the exams no matter what.

I think while studying everyone always puts a lot of pressure on themselves and causes them to consider whether it is worth it or not. I feel that if you have the ability to pass exams, it's always worth it to keep going as long as that is what you desire.

[shluffer]

Are you SOA or CAS? Not sure I would draw the line at 8 years. For CAS median travel time is something like 7 years. One extra isn't a reason to quit.

Do you like the work? Are you good at the work?

If you answer yes to both of the above, you have decide for yoursefl if your projected travel time is worth it. If you answer no to either, go find something you enjoy.

[Bandgeek050]

I love what I do and I enjoy what I learn in studying. It's just that somedays I feel defeated. Other days I don't. I'm completely fine today. I just wondered if anyone else ever felt that sort of dispair/frustration. I've already invested 4.5 years but the first 4 were obtaining my undergraduate degree. I have no intention of stopping. Was just curious if I was the only one asking myself this question.

I'm SOA btw.

[Delothus]

Originally Posted by Bandgeek050

I love what I do and I enjoy what I learn in studying. It's just that somedays I feel defeated. Other days I don't. I'm completely fine today. I just wondered if anyone else ever felt that sort of dispair/frustration. I've already invested 4.5 years but the first 4 were obtaining my undergraduate degree. I have no intention of stopping. Was just curious if I was the only one asking myself this question.

I'm SOA btw.

I'm a bit old school, If you find what you love then make that your work. Sounds like there is a good chance you don't know what you have passion for.

I average about a week or two a year where my job gets old, I even enjoy the studying and reading

[shluffer]

Sounds to me like you should stick it out regardless of how long it takes.