Balancing a demanding job or internship with professional studies like ACCA, CA, ICAEW, or CPA is tough but it’s not impossible. Many students around the world are managing both successfully. So, how do they do it?
Let’s break it down step by step and help you create a perfect study plan that actually works in real life.
Why Studying While Working is Tough (But Worth It)
When you’re working full-time, time is your biggest problem right?. You feel exhausted after work, weekends are already short, and sometimes, motivation just disappears.
But here’s the truth:
✅ Studying while working helps you apply theory in real life.
✅ Employers value professionals who can manage both.
✅ You gain confidence, discipline, and real success.
Now let’s move to the realistic action plan 👇
Step-by-Step Study Plan While Working Full-Time
1. Choose Your Best Study Time
Are you a morning person or night owl? Be honest.
- Morning (Before Work): 6 AM to 8 AM – Fresh mind, silent hours
- Evening (After Work): 7 PM to 10 PM – Needs discipline
- Weekend Focus: Use weekends for long sessions (3–4 hrs)
Stick to your natural energy levels.
2. Weekly Study Routine Example
| Day | Study Time | What to Study |
| Monday | 7 PM – 9 PM | Read 1 chapter/topic |
| Tuesday | 7 PM – 9 PM | Practice questions |
| Wednesday | Off (Rest day) but its better to do some exercise to strenghthen yourself. | – |
| Thursday | 7 PM – 9 PM | Practice + revision |
| Friday | 7 PM – 9 PM | Mock quiz or past paper |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 1 PM | Concept revision + Notes |
| Sunday | 10 AM – 2 PM | Full mock exam or review |
Tip: If tired, even 30–45 mins daily is better than zero!
3. Use the Right Study Materials
- ACCA: Use BPP, Kaplan, ACCA Global
- CA (ICAP): ICAP Books, Teacher lectures, past papers
- ICAEW: ACA study manuals, ICAEW Learning Portal
- CPA: Becker, Wiley, Surgent
Use concise notes. Don’t collect too much material beacause it creates confusion.
4. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
Even if you study 1 hour per day but with focus, no phone, no distractions it’s more powerful than 3 distracted hours.
Use the Pomodoro method:
- Study 25 mins
- Break 5 mins
- Repeat 4 times = 2-hour power study
5. Prioritize Weak Areas First
Don’t keep postponing the tough topics. Start with the most difficult or boring subject early in the day or week. Use weekends to kill those tough chapters.
6. Revise Smartly, Not Just Re-Read
- Make small flashcards
- Write your own summary
- Teach someone else (works great!)
- Attempt short quizzes weekly
7. Mock Exams are a MUST
Don’t wait till the last week. After every 2–3 topics, give a mock quiz or past exam.
It helps you:
- Understand exam pattern
- Handle time pressure
- Spot your weak areas early
8. Join a Study Buddy or Group
Sometimes, studying alone kills motivation. Join:
- ACCA/CA Telegram groups
- WhatsApp study groups
- Reddit or LinkedIn forums
Discuss concepts, solve doubts, or just motivate each other!
9. Prioritize Mental Well-being and Stress Management
Balancing work and study can create significant pressure, often leading to burnout. A well-functioning mind is critical for effective learning, so maintaining your mental health must be part of your plan.
Tips to stay mentally fit:
- Aim for 6–8 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Incorporate brief breaks into your study sessions to avoid fatigue.
- Practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or short walks.
- Avoid information overload break tasks into smaller, achievable goals.
A calm, focused mind retains information better than a stressed one.
10. Break Goals into Weekly Milestones
Setting manageable weekly goals helps maintain consistency. Rather than vague timelines, use structured targets like:
- Covering 1–2 chapters per week
- Completing 40–50 MCQs
- Reviewing key topics every weekend
- Attempting one mock exam fortnightly
Tracking progress keeps you accountable and reduces last-minute panic.
11. Leverage Your Professional Experience
If your job relates to finance, audit, or taxation, align your study with your professional duties. For example:
- Auditors may begin with Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Tax professionals can start with Taxation (TX)
- Those in accounts might prefer Financial Reporting (FR)
Applying concepts in your daily role reinforces your understanding and boosts retention.
12. Use Free Productivity Tools
Modern tools can streamline your study process, especially while working full-time. Consider:
- Google Calendar – to allocate focused study blocks
- Notion or Trello – for managing topic checklists and notes
- Forest App – to minimize distractions
- Clockify – for tracking how your time is being spent
Organized planning is just as crucial as the study itself.
13. Maximize the Final 2–3 Weeks
As your exam approaches, shift your focus from reading to application. This is the most crucial phase of preparation.
Recommended activities:
- Attempt full-length mock exams under exam conditions not by using any AI, not by using guides just believe in yourself and do your mocks.
- Revisit weaker topics identified earlier in your prep
- Review examiner reports and feedback
- Familiarize yourself with exam software (especially for CBEs)
A strategic revision approach ensures you enter the exam hall confident and prepared.
Consistency Beats Perfection
Even if you’re tired… study for 20 minutes.
Even if you missed yesterday… restart today.
Even if others are faster… focus on your own path.
You can do it — but only if you start.
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