This is a big question for every CA student, undergoing articleship (training). Some of you have managed it well while others blame it on work load at office or some other things. In my observation tenure of articleship is really a life changing phase in every CA student’s life. It took me two days to figure out the way on how to explain you my true inner feelings and experience on how I balanced my articleship and study. It was not an easy phase I must say, but whenever the thought of it comes to my mind, I always want to go back in time and relive those days. Most of us live away from our home (for studies); giving up all the comforts and luxuries we can enjoy at our house, for what? Do you think it is for us only? This might be true to some extent; but deep in our hearts we all know we want a better life and comfort first for our parents/ loved ones and then for ourselves.
The only purpose to move away from house is to learn and grow your skill set and knowledge. In order to achieve this objective an efficient balance between practical training and studies is vital. I thought of several ways to enunciate before you; my way of maintaining this balance, which every CA aspirant has to go through. The most effective way which I could think of was to discuss my daily schedule and tips that I used to follow when I was undergoing my training and studies. I had undergone rigorous training in a much esteemed and well known CA firm in Delhi with typical office timings from 10:00 A.M. sharp to 6:00 P.M. I used to wake up at 5:00 A.M. and to leave for office at 9:00 A.M. By this exercise, you can spare 3-4 hours daily early in morning for your studies. Moreover the studies done early in the morning are considered to be the most effective by number of researches as our mind is fresh from several hours sleep and has more room to retain what we learn.
Even after returning from office at 7:00 P.M. I used to go to bed at 11:00 P.M. Sparing 30 minutes in between for dinner you can utilize this time for your studies. By following this schedule you can easily spare 7-8 hours daily for you studies along with your office. Sleeping at 11:00 P.M. and waking up at 5:00 A.M. also helps you to complete your 6 hours of sleep which is very important to maintain your daily office and study balance. I will never suggest night studies because whenever you study late at night or for whole night you will feel exhausted for whole of next day, even when you are working at office.
I will also like to share some tips if you plan to follow this schedule:
Buy some chocolates (whichever you like I always preferred Bar One for this) and keep them near your study table. Whenever you feel hungry during your studies you can eat a chocolate to gain enough energy to sit for 3-4 hours without feeling hungry. Chocolates are healthy source of energy plus they provide you calories equal to your meal.
Never take your articleship training for granted. Learn, learn and learn as much as you can at office. CA is the only course I know which imparts such practical knowledge in live environment along with bookish knowledge. In all other courses training/ internship is provided after completion of course or degree. Whether it is basic accounting or complex tax calculations you can always relate it to your books and subjects; which later on will be very easy for you to understand when you will read it from book.
Even if you are traveling during your training due to audits or any other assignments; take your books along to study and consider that time as bonus for yourself as you will always get more time to study at audit place due to reduced travel time from hotel/ guest house to client place. Always try to connect your subject with clients business and study it during audit or assignment you are on.
Always give one shift off to yourself in a week; like I never used to touch books on Saturday evenings. I used to go out with friends or watch movie at hostel or play video games on Saturday evening. Anything other than books which gives you your time is fine to do in this off shift time. This is very effective tip as it will help you by refreshing your mind and also help you maintain a social life and circle. Plus your friend won’t complain that you are a book worm.
So this is pretty much it. A little clarity in mind can help you overcome all the hurdles you have. Just stick to the commitment to cause for which you are living away from your home or want to achieve. Hope you all will like my thoughts and experiences which I love to put straight. Feel free to contact me or meet me in my office. Happy reading and please share and login to my blog if you really like any single piece of it.