While you are hard at work studying for the CPA exam, your friends and family may feel like they are not part of your life. The reality is - you need them now more than ever. They just don't get it and may not know how to help you. Studying for the CPA exam can feel like training for a mental marathon-and not everyone outside the accounting world gets that. Here's how you can help friends and family understand what you're going through:
Set Expectations Early
- Let friends and family know your schedule will be tight and that free time is limited.
- Share your study calendar so they can see when you're unavailable.
- Explain that this is temporary, and the payoff is a major career milestone.
Ask for Support, Not Sympathy
- Let them know how they can help-whether it's giving you quiet time, helping with chores, or just cheering you on.
- Remind them that their support makes a real difference in your success.
Protect Your Mental Space
- If someone's comments feel dismissive and/or not helpful ("You only passed one?" or "Haven't you studied enough?), it's okay to limit how much you share.
- Find a CPA study group or online community where others truly understand the grind.
Ask Them to Be Your Accountability Partner
- Ask your friends and family to check in weekly on your progress, like a mini performance review.
- Share your goals and let them celebrate milestones with you (even small ones like finishing a tough chapter).
🎉 Celebrate Wins-Big and Small
- Plan a mini celebration after each exam section. You earned this time!
Creating this shared partnership and communicating honestly can boost your mental state and allow those close to you to be part of your CPA journey.
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Jennifer Johnson, CPA
Professor of Instruction, University of Texas at Dallas
Owner, JGJ Accounting & Consulting LLC
jennifer.johnson@jgjaccounting.com------------------------------