I feel overwhelmed, are 10 hours per week sufficient?

CFA Level III
#21

10 hours a week is a LOT of time from November. You are going to burn out at this rate. The race is long, and there are still almost 8 months to go.

#22

are you answering EOCs? youre reading fast. iam allocating 3hrs daily and can only read 10page a day ive started since august and currently at reading 18 iam doing all of the EOCs every end of each assigned reading. its not about how much hours you have studied, what will prevail on the exam day is how well prepared you are on the day. this is about quality and not quantity of hours

#23

Less than seven months to go FYI. For as many people that warn others that they are going to burn out from starting too early, I don’t think I’ve seen any posts from anybody describing how they actually burned out (except maybe for those that have sat for level 2 or 3 on numerous occasions). It’s like if you were to start training for a marathon a year before the race–would people say you are gonna get fried from running everyday? Probably not.

#24

Yes.

#25

I respectfully disagree.

#26

I did Level III in with 12 days off from work, studying 12 hours a day. Most people don’t beleive me. My story is here on AF as I was living it, just under a different user.

My point is not to show off but to let you know anything is possible.

What I learned from passing the 3 levels, and how I went from 400 hr+ for level one material which I had already seen in school to 144 hr for unfamiliar level 3 material is.

-Redbull, lots of it.

-Study smart, I used to spend so much time studying things I already know. Put your energy towards sections where you are weak. It is easy to stick to your comfort zone.

-Lots of practice/mock exams

-I timed my study with a stopwatch, I would not go anywhere before an 1hr, not even the washroom. Phone stays off till break time

-Don’t beleive most of the stuff people on AF tell you, hek me included. We all think the people on the other screens know better than we do… Whats up with that…

#27

I can add that burnout is very real, and probably a lot more common than is revealed in these forums. The reason why you don’t hear about it as much is because it’s not a fun thing to reveal.

I burned out before my last attempt and it is truly heartbreaking to see all of those months of studying wasted because I wasn’t physically able to draw upon my knowledge.

To echo what was said earlier, it is QUALITY not quantity that matters here. Treat yourself like a professional athlete, and your brain as your most prized possession. Rest and recovery is just as important as studying/training. The trick is to have as much discipline in your R&R as your studying, which is a point that was revealed to me the hard way.

You have the drive and I’m 100% positive it’ll carry you through to a L3 pass. Good luck my friend.

#28

Familyguy1988 anything is possible you are right, and I appreciate your story because it is encouraging. It’s not a strategy that will soothe my anxiety though. Focusing one’s energies in the areas with the highest productivity and working your way down is an efficient use of time for sure. And I will definitely devise a phone strategy, I like that advice. I think a strategy that is effective first and foremost will be a desirable goal.

#29

Thank you for sharing JSigs

i am working hard because I respect the athletes that I am competing against. I think those in the forum are critical in evaluating strategy, and ultimately supportive of each other and this wonderfully interesting science of wealth creation. One needs to have an holistic approach. Eating plan. Rest and relaxation plan. Exercise plan. I am lacking in a few areas. I am treating this with single minded sense of purpose. I have to force myself to walk along the beach from time to time. Schedule it.

#30

i am not doing EOCs, only BBs. Well done on your approach, you are doing well. Good luck with your preparation and exam.

the reason I target quantity is because it is measurable. Quality feedback will come in the Qbank phase, and Practiise Exams, etc.

#31

Arbtrgr, the only answer that has been consistent across all candidates at every level is to do problems. You’ve set aside 5 months to work through questions at a comfortable pace, which is more than most candidates can say. @ 10 hours / week starting next January you’ll put in over 200 hours doing EOCs and practice exams, plenty of time to become adept at writing answers. You’re going to set the bar for the rest of us.

#32

Unless he burns out, which is quite likely at that rate of 10 hours a week since September.

#33

It is so true. Doing problems is one of the commandments. Don’t forget Ethics is another one. Focus on the right areas. I know that everyone who has passed Level II has the ability to get through Level III. A certain level of financial intelligence and dedication is a given. I would just like to attain a level of understanding where I am able to teach the concepts, not only understand it. So I am talking to myself while driving to work, and find myself explaining Immunization to my girlfriend if I spot half an opportunity to do so.

Thank you for confirming that practice, practice, practice is the key. Good luck with your preparation.

#34

Managing one’s energy levels and optimism for life is quite important too. I would love to know whether burnout is the result of hard work alone. Also 10 hours is not that much time per week.

“Burnout occurs when passionate, committed people become deeply disillusioned … It comes as the things that inspire passion and enthusiasm are stripped away, and tedious or unpleasant things crowd in.”

Anyway, pictures that I have seen of Malta are beautiful. I doubt if anyone burns out there, so at least you are in the clear.

#35

For each level, I started studying in January: 2 hours each night after work, 4 hours each on Saturday and Sunday. Eighteen hours per week.

That was sufficient.

#36

  1. 10 hours are okay now, but will ramp up a few months before exam

  2. Yes it really does. ONLY if you keep doing exams. I did Schweser, and did EVERY EOC, and a lot of exams.

  3. Meaning?

#37

Thank you S2000magician your insight is appreciated.

#38

My pleasure.

#39

You are going to burn out. It is only November.

#40

Thank you daharmattan1. I have not really considered making my own notes, as they are so time intensive, but I see the value of it now. Re-reading is a huge time waster as the productivity of your time is so low. Your post was insightful too.