The accounting world always puts you into a mode of stress but if you are too reactionary, then you might end up being more busy than productive. Since time becomes a determining factor to fuel business success, it is regarded as one of the valuable assets in the accounting management field.
But if you are aspiring to become a US CMA and need career marketability as a future-ready accounting management professional, you need to level up your time management strategies. To maximize your productivity and talents while preparing for a high-stake US CMA exam, we help you with some critical 5 time management strategies.
Task Boards:
Task boards are visual aids that allow you to break down your CMA exam preparation into manageable steps. They are typically organized into columns representing different stages or categories, such as “To-Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed.” Each task is written on a sticky note or card and placed in the appropriate column.
The power of task boards lies in their ability to provide a clear overview of your progress and upcoming tasks. When you create a task board for your CMA exam, you can list out all the study topics, practice exams, and review sessions you need to cover. This helps you visualize the workload, prioritize tasks, and allocate your time more effectively. As you complete each task, you move it to the “Completed” column, giving you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to tackle the next one. Task boards promote a sense of structure and organization in your study routine, preventing you from feeling overwhelmed and ensuring that no critical topics are overlooked.
Join a CMA Review Center:
Enrolling in a CMA review center offers several advantages that enhance your time management and exam preparation. These centers are staffed with experienced instructors who are well-versed in the CMA syllabus and exam format. They provide structured study plans, comprehensive study materials, and practice exams that are tailored to the specific requirements of the CMA exam.
By joining a review center, you eliminate the time-consuming task of searching for reliable study materials and resources on your own. This saves you valuable study time that would otherwise be spent curating materials and figuring out what to focus on.
Additionally, the guidance and insights from instructors and fellow students in the review center can help you stay on track, clarify doubts quickly, and maintain a disciplined study schedule. In essence, it streamlines your preparation, allowing you to make the most efficient use of your time.
Utilize the Pomodoro Technique:
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves breaking your study time into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short 5-minute break. After completing four such intervals, you take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.
This technique is effective because it harnesses your concentration during short bursts and prevents burnout. It also encourages you to make the most of your study time by eliminating distractions and maintaining a sense of urgency.
By applying this technique, you can enhance your productivity and efficiently allocate your study hours, ensuring that you use your time effectively.
Learn to Resist:
The ability to say “no” to additional work or commitments when you’re already overwhelmed is a vital time management skill. As a CMA exam candidate, you likely have multiple responsibilities, including your job, family, and social life. Overextending yourself can lead to exhaustion and negatively impact your CMA exam preparation.
Learning to set boundaries and prioritize your CMA study time is essential. This might involve politely declining extra work projects or social invitations during your peak study hours. While it can be challenging to decline opportunities, it’s crucial to remember that a well-structured and focused study routine is an investment in your future.
By protecting your study time and avoiding over commitment, you ensure that you have the necessary energy and concentration to succeed in your CMA exam.
Don’t Try Everything at Once:
Effective time management for the CMA exam involves a strategic approach to studying over time, rather than cramming everything into a short period. Trying to cover the entire syllabus in a short time frame is not only overwhelming but also counterproductive.
Instead, break your study plan into smaller, manageable sections. Allocate specific time blocks for each topic, module, or practice exam. By spreading out your preparation over several months, you allow yourself to delve deeply into each subject, understand the concepts thoroughly, and retain the knowledge more effectively.
This gradual approach reduces stress, enhances your understanding of the material, and increases your chances of performing well on the exam.
By incorporating these strategies into your CMA exam preparation, you’ll not only manage your time more effectively but also reduce stress and optimize your prospects of passing this challenging certification.
Remember that time management is a skill that, when honed, can serve you well throughout your career in the accounting and management field.
