How I Studied with a Full Time Job | CFA Study Routine
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2025
- This was me in 2019. But more interestingly, this was my calendar in 2019. At that time I was working a full time finance job, studying 7 days a week for the CFA program, working on this TH-cam channel, and trying to do all the normal things in life.
Link to my course- The CFA Study Blueprint:
aj-srmek-s-sch...
Don't get me wrong, 2019 was one of the best years of my life so far. But it was pretty crazy. The routine that I utilized during this time was intense, but simple. And it allowed me to do all of these things pretty successfully. I passed both CFA exams I studied for that year, I made big steps in my career, and planted the seeds for what has now become the 467th best finance TH-cam channel.
All kidding aside, the primary reason I was able to pass the CFA exams during that time was attributable to this schedule. And since then, I have seen several people or outlets discuss what is a very similar strategy to this, and why it can be so beneficial to accomplishing goals. So we are going to walk through exactly how this schedule works, showing you the rules and systems that make it so successful.
Keep in mind this is a schedule for a young professional, with a significant other, but before kids. I really don't think I could have studied enough to pass the CFA exams before having kids, but I know there are some people out there who do it, so hats off to them.
The first thing to do when building an effective schedule is to understand how much total time is needed for the priorities. For me and I think many of you watching this video, time spent working is not negotiable, but it's not the main priority we are working around here either. Your work hours are more set in stone, sure they can fluctuate day to day, but what I mean is, working feels more required. It feels like it owns your time more. So we can start there and say, okay I have to spend from 8 am to 6pm commuting to work, working, then commuting home. And 99% of the time, there really isn't any flexibility here. Now I was really lucky to work a job that was mostly 40 hours a week, with maybe 1 or 2 nights going late. I understand for many of you who work more than that, you will need to push this next part of your schedule later on, but it can still work that way too so stay with me.
So if your next priority is studying, like for a CFA exam. You need to really understand the total amount of hours required. We know the average CFA candidate studieds 300 hours, and we also know most CFA candidates fail and will never become charterholder. The reason I found it important to know how many total hours I was going to study, was because we are also going to prioritize THESE hours in the schedule, but more on this in a bit.
Finally, for the third, fourth, or fifth hobby type things can take a backseat, but you still should get an idea on the amount of hours that will go into each. For me these were spending time with my wife (30 minutes per day), playing video games (a few hours on Fridays and the weekend) and working on TH-cam videos for about 3 flexible hours per week. These things can be shuffled around, but should still happen just so that your life isn't 100% consumed by the 2 priorities. Let's talk about how that prioritization happens.
If you have an idea of something you want me to cover in depth, please let me know because I take your requests seriously. Will be back with more CFA Exam tips in a couple of weeks so please submit more questions you would like to hear answered. Love you all!
AJ
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** The information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional financial advice. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your financial or tax professional**
AJ, I cannot agree with you anymore. I remembered that I spent 500 hours to pass level 2 exam and felt like I was an idiot while others just spent 300 hours on the exam LOL. I also want to tell you that I finally passed level 3 exam and just submitted my application to become a charterholder. Your videos were a great support for me while studying for the exam. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences,thoughts and updates about CFA. Hope everyone who’s still struggling with the exam and watching this video will become a CFA Charaterholder.
Hi Yuki,
Congratulations on passing!!!! I'm glad the videos could be of help!
Yuki, I'm gonna start preparing for the August 2023 level 3 exam with a full time job.. couple of tips ?
@@okaygaurav I think AJ has covered pretty much. When I was studying, I didn’t work overtime and tried my best to save as much time as possible, so I can study as much as I can. I wrote down the formulas on the white board and windows in my office, so I can take a look at them when I wasn’t focusing on my work lol. If you can work from home, that will be the best. Our office has hybrid schedule, but I love that I can save my commute time for study. Best of luck!
When I was studying for the exams, I made sure set aside some time to cry about how hard it is to be in the CFA program. It helped a lot.
Lol not a bad idea!
Hahaha 😂😂😂😂. I will be trying
Makes it worthwhile in the end though! congratulations if you passed.
I was seriously reading your comment for some advice
Man thanks so much for posting this video
I'm a chartered accountant working in a consultancy role at one of the big 4s
This is exactly what I needed to hear from someone. Thanks so much !!
You got it!
Could you guide me which one should i takr next. Interms of career growth and scope
This is the best video on how to beat procrastination 💔. My biggest enemy when wanting to study and work
Hope it can help!
This is true. I battle with myself if I feel like studying or not. Never thought about is as a requirement. Great advice
Imagine an ACCA student watching this video for tips and tricks regarding studying with a full time job lol. Great info!
This video, this reminds me of the energy and the commitment I had when I did levels 1 &2 and that really paid off! it’s true that we have to work hard for everything that we want in this world there is no shortcut about it, thanks AJ for reminding us this and for your motivational words 😊
Amazing content. But I have to say that your dad has a big role in your achievement as his discipline and how you have witnessed it since a child. DAD. SO PROUD OF YOU!
Best plan I’ve ever heard.. thank you 🙏 I like the it’s REQUIRED lesson , absolutely life changing l, never looked at it that way.
Exactly!!
Superb. You opened my eyes bro.
Hope it helps!
Heh, the way I did college was similar. The DoD demanded a degree and suggested WGU (online, self driven, accredited). Just between work, school, and sleep 133 hours out of the 168 hours in my week were scheduled that entire year -_-. Upside, I did 6 years of college in 1 and only spent 7k-ish for my IT degree and MBA (its pay per semester, not credit hour).
The "it dies or I die. There is no compromise" mindset is a hell of a thing.
Crazy what you can get done.
Great information and advices! Thank you my friend!
great ....my DAD was like that only......he never complained....thank u
Hey, AJ. Loved the story you shared about your dad! Thanks for sharing and great message here, man!
Thanks for watching!
Bro is finally promoting balance
Wow I'm actually surprised how much time I probably waste ever week I'm definitely going to try this method
Thank you brother. Inspiratation!
Great advice
Thanks Aj!
Adopting this mindset is really a game changer. Thank you for sharing! In your daily study session, what was your objective (or what is ideal) - Is it clocking your set hours of studying (e.g. 3 hours), or is it finishing up a module/reading and/or set of questions? If it’s the latter, what do you do when you’ve already clocked in your hours but you’re not yet finished w/ your reading or answering practice questions?
Happy to share! For me it was literally to sit down and study for 3 hours. Didn't matter to me where i left off. As long as it was 3 good hours. Not sure if it was the best strategy or not but worked for me.
I needed to hear this.
Thank you for sharing this! Looking forward to your scheduling for people w kids lol.
Hahaha.
Thank you.
Dad ❤
Very inspiring bro
Hi AJ! Thanks for this video. I wanted to ask you the name of the job you worked? I’m trying to plan in advance and subsequently apply for jobs that will give me enough room to study too. Please do share with me 🙏🏿
Wealth management client service.
good video
Ii didn't pursue CFA until in 40$... thus Wife two children travel multiple mortgages... time management crucial... looking back was a fast moving whirlwind... NEVER missed time with my girls however committre to post 9pm and per 7AM studying allowedn zeron familysacrifice .... usually reading on bike multitasking exercise
我是一个中国考生，来学习学习你的经验哈哈哈
thanks AJ！
Hi! Nice video, highly motivational. Do you recommend to buy the CFA books for the level 1 or will the learning ecosystem work as well?
Does the learning ecosystem have all the CFA curriculum in it?
Can you do a video for college students?
Yes! Great idea, thanks.
Would be nice!
This strategy is great. But, 1am - 4am. Health n Enough sleep is important. 😊
Yes its not ideal, but necessary sometimes...
@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 Regarding the 1am -4pm schedule, be honest, were you on stimulants? Using addy’s or something? Or just naturally a insomniac unicorn of a person?
I ask this seriously, I TRIED the ‘sleep is for the weak’ grind for a college semester where I crammed a full class sched between a full-time job and it was HELL that didn’t even pay off as I ended up trapped in a ongoing cycle of brain-fog/fatigue /stress that no amount of espresso could fully cure. I experienced cognitive decline that interfered with my memory retention and communication to the point I came across ‘special’ and I repeatedly got sick. All this just to earn straight C and D grades.
It was a tough lesson teaching me Sleep is IMPERATIVE…unless you have a bio-hack in your arsenal, and even then it will catch up with you sooner or later.
I have level 3 in February and a 3 month old new born.
Looking forward for “tips on how to study for fathers”
haha congrats on your kid!
At least you got through the first 2 pre-kids!
L2 candidate here. Please answer this.
Is it a bad idea to study full time and clear L2 and L3 back to back in about a year time frame?
No, but you can probably make it happen while working at the same time. Unless your job demands 70-80 hours per week.
Would you recommend taking a year off and studying full time L1-3 or doing a hybrid with work towards the 4800 hours and studying? I really want to put myself in the best possible position to get good marks but dont want to set myself back a year
I don't recommend that just because I think real world experience is more valuable than the CFA in general.
Absolutely loved the part where you mentioned it's a requirement to study 3 hours a day, not an option. Just wanted to ask did you usually take any breaks in these sessions and are they included in these 3 hours? And was it the same amount of time on the weekend also? 🤔
Right. I took some breaks, but then I would add 10 minutes on to the end of the study session. And yes 3 hours each day on weekends.
Hey man you are the alpha cfa youtuber... curious if you were tempted to take cipm level 2 given stackable pliabikity post charter!?
Haha thanks. No I never really considered taking the CIPM. Even though I have 2 designations, I'm not really one for academics.
Cool... ty as agreed i almost guilty not executing however I am probably done studying for exams at this juncture
Hello,
How are you?
I have a question about how can i traveling to the America and working in Financial filed.
I should have a college from America, because some people's tell me CFA is not enough to working in America.
If you have a college degree internationally, but you earn the CFA charter, you do have a good chance at getting a job in the U.S.
Are you being held as hostage to make this video in a cave?
Haha yea in my own lair.
It is all well and good until you have kids. After work, you have to cook, clean, bathe them, so how do you find time then?
I have no idea then. I think people with kids just study early mornings.
What was the tool you used to make your schedule at 4 seconds?
Microsoft outlook
how do i get started?
Sign up on the CFA website!
Can I get the certificate without going to college ?
No, i don't believe so.
I'm finding it hard to even find an entry level role. Still took the exam in November. Idk if it's worth it
Sometimes you need to apply for hundreds of jobs before you find the right one.
Doing CFA is a good decision or not. bet confused
AJ has your father lived a happy life? If he would not have a family, he could work less, travel more, sleep with more women, invest in more businesses, buy more luxury stuff, live a more fulfilling life. Or am I wrong again?
He would definitely say it has been a happy life.
you should start a cfa study support course or something. If you do give me a discount 😉
Lol
I enjoy your videos - they're very informative and helpful. Its a terrible, however that you had to do this video from a prison cell. Hope you get out soon....
No way impossible for me
Hey Aj how can i write you any question i have if you have any public contact i might use to ask if i have any question
However i have one question now , while searching i am in my 2nd year in college i still need 1.5 years to be eligible i found some packages on amazon costing 200$ish are those useful to prepare ? Are they legit ?
You can send me an email! Address is in my channel bio. And I probably would not recommend those packages without knowing more.
You spent so much time on study, how could you get married? Didn’t you need time for dating?😂
pass the exam, get the big bag 💰 then go dating once rich
if you're married you can dump your life responsibilities on them
If that is so, you will get a divorce certificate faster than you pass level 1 🙏
😂