Professional qualification - exam fatigue

[cheerup]

Two primary children, working full time and studying. I'm on exam 5 of 8... failed in June, resitting this week. So bored/tired of revising. Have done loads, it just never seems enough and am feeling rather negative. Just want it over - ideally in the bag this time - and to move on. Actually, I really just want to give up and send more time with my kids or my friends or at the gym. I have a degree and a decent-enough though not stellar job, why am I putting myself through this? Any advice for getting myself in a more positive mindset?

[SouthernComforts]

Don't give up! I'm 4 years into a 6 year degree that is irrelevant to my new career however it's a good degree and at 9k a year I'm not giving up. I find it quite tedious and hard to fit around working ft and dd so I feel your pain!

[Muddlingalongalone]

The quicker you get them done, the quicker you qualify & get to stop doing exams & get back to real life???
This was my lifeline when I was doing my exams. Couldn't understand my colleagues who only wanted to do 1 exam per sitting.

[TribbleTrouble]

Come on, you can do it! Don't give up, it's crap studying with small children. However, think of the fantastic example you're setting for them. This is but a short time in your life, plus after this exam there is only three to go.

[cheerup]

Thank you all for the encouragement - much appreciated.

Onwards... it'll soon be Friday and this session will be behind me. However it goes it will be done!

[Musicaltheatremum]

I am in awe of all you people who do exams with young children. I couldn't have done it although i suppose if I had really wanted to I would have made time to do it.

[ManagersDilemma]

ICSA?! It's worth persevering. Feeling bored might actually be a good sign as you must be very familiar with the material. If you've passed 4 already, you have the ability to pass the rest. Good luck this week.

[cheerup]

Yep ICSA. All over now for another six months. Fingers x'd for a pass. Not very hopeful but you never know.

[TeachingPostQuery]

Oh it's so hard. My professional exams took me 8.5 years and nearly killed me. I've no kids so I can't imagine how you're doing it.

I think there's two approaches - go full on and set everything else aside to get through as quickly as possible, or go slower but still manage to have something resembling a life. I took the second approach, I can't do the all consuming thing.

One thing that did help me was a session off - is that an option? I got to take a break and then start work early the next session. I was so much more motivated afterwards, I just had complete study fatigue and was so sick of weekends being dictated by study.

Best of luck, hope the exam went well and you're enjoying your freedom.

[ManagersDilemma]

ICSA in particular is worth persevering with as it increases your future earning potential massively (I'm sure you already know that). For me, it also led to a promotion and more interesting work. I've got my fingers crossed for you, cheerup.

[user1471950254]

Focus on the end goal & have a structured but realistic study plan!

Good luck

[cheerup]

I have already had one session off. I don't think it helped as I got out of the swing of things. The only way I think I can do it is to power through but sometimes it all gets a bit much - particularly by the second sitting of the same exam.