| So you’ve graduated high school, picked the | | | | ways to study for accounting. One method is to |
| college in which you plan to attend, and now you | | | | study alone. This method of studying usually |
| have to decide what you want to be when you | | | | works best when trying to practice accounting |
| grow up. Or as reality sinks in, what you want to | | | | methods. It is easier to find out what |
| be in 4-5 years. As kids we all dreamed of being | | | | information you truly know and do not know by |
| firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses or | | | | testing yourself individually. After developing |
| even astronauts however for those of us whose | | | | questions you might have on the material, the |
| childhood dream jobs did not come true | | | | best place to ask questions is the professor’s |
| we’re faced with deciding our future in | | | | office. Going to a professor’s office hours |
| college. When deciding a major there are many | | | | not only will help strengthen the weaknesses in |
| things that are helpful to know that most are not | | | | the material but also shows the professor you |
| aware of until they are in too deep. Here are | | | | are trying and putting forth effort. With |
| some tips to help those of you to stay a float in | | | | hundreds of students, professors have trouble |
| the accounting major. | | | | remembering student’s names; going to their |
| Organization: | | | | office hours will help them to recognize you. |
| While high school might have been a breeze for | | | | Another method that is very useful is study |
| many of you, accounting can be a rude | | | | groups. Networking with other students in the |
| awakening if you are not prepared. Similar to | | | | same classes gives students the opportunity to |
| other subjects and majors it is incredibly | | | | work together on problems that might be giving |
| important to be organized. During class it is | | | | them trouble. This method also allows students |
| essential to take notes and ask questions. The | | | | to ask fellow students questions that might not |
| more questions you ask the better understanding | | | | have been expressed clearly enough in class or |
| of the material you will grow to have. | | | | that the student might not have grasped the first |
| Furthermore time management is key to being | | | | time is to study alone. |
| successful in the accounting major. Accounting | | | | Networking: |
| requires incredible attention to tiny details that can | | | | Throughout your time as an accounting |
| greatly affect final statements you will be | | | | major there will be numerous opportunities to |
| preparing. No longer are teachers going to walk | | | | meet new people and network. This is very |
| you through your classes, these courses are to | | | | important for your future career in accounting. |
| prepare you for your future. One way to help | | | | Take advantage of these opportunities provided |
| retain the details is to review the current | | | | by your school. Whether it is clubs and |
| day’s lesson before and after the day of | | | | organizations on campus or sponsored dinners by |
| class. This helps to reinforce the new material | | | | national organizations, take an active role in them |
| that was introduced during class. | | | | all. Clubs and organizations on campus not only |
| Studying: | | | | help you network with fellow students but also |
| In addition to organization, good study habits are | | | | provide you with the skills needed to act with |
| crucial to success. While previous homework | | | | future fellow employees. These organizations |
| assignments might have been simple and not very | | | | and clubs are also a great opportunity to form |
| time consuming, accounting requires more time | | | | study groups. The sponsored dinners are a |
| for studies than most majors. Setting aside at | | | | great way to introduce yourself to firms and |
| least an hour if not more each day will prove to | | | | possibly future employers. Through these |
| be very helpful. Homework in accounting | | | | dinners you will be introduced to many aspects of |
| courses is not busy work as most students view | | | | accounting, helping to narrow down the type of |
| homework. However it is the best way to test | | | | field you might want to enter into after |
| yourself on the information that was covered | | | | graduation. |
| during class. The more homework done after | | | | Although accounting can be challenging and |
| class the more exposure to the material you will | | | | frustrating at times, knowing what to expect and |
| get, leading to either positive reinforcement of the | | | | how to face the task ahead will help you prepare |
| material or questions to be answered by | | | | and overcome any challenges faced during the |
| professors. Furthermore there are quiet a few | | | | journey to becoming a successful accountant. |