My story - determined

StuartGMC

Just catching up - good news on the achievement, well done.

yummymommy

Well done determined for all you achievements! Pat on the back.,:beer:

jemw

Well, I've just finished reading your entire thread and want to say two huge CONGRATULATIONS on passing your exams and on your progress so far!

I will continue to monitor your diary with interest - it has certainly spurred me into getting my @ss into gear with setting challenges, etc, so thanks

setmefree2

Good Luck with the Next stage

determined1_2

Hi guys

Sorry I haven't posted my plan as promised. Actually been busy doing a lot of study!!!

My approach is as follows:

1) use study textbook, online learning material, and college material to pull all these resources together and make my own notes
2) draw up a set of question sheets for each of the chapters to learn the fundamentals of each chapter. answer and review these as often as possible

I have two exams at the start of december.

1) audit and assurance
2) financial accounting

The study phase at college starts

1) 15 October - 3 days
2) 28 September - 4 days

Number of chapters to cover

1) 13 - and learn a lot of assumed assurance knowledge because of the expemtion I get from the AAT
2) 7 - less as half an exemption from doing the AAT


My plan is to cover all of these areas before the study phase starts. The study phase can then reinforce the knowledge.


Revison stage at college starts

1) 23 November - 5 days
2) 30 November - 3 days


This will then guide me to apply the knowledge and address the correct exam technique.


That is the plan. Now to implement it!

So, here it is, bring on the motivation and kicks up the bum.

I know it is going to be really hard as

a) having to do this why working full time - only time off is those days above
b) the institue recommend on average to spend 3 hours a night during the week and 10 hours at the weekend 3 months prior to the exams. thats 25 hours a week on top of a full time job :eek:

Got a feeling (might be wrong) but I reckon Stuart is the man for some time management advice

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chirpchirp

Good luck determined. It can be done!.

Three years ago I started a teacher training programme, full time teaching and study and planning to do each night. I left for work at 7.45am, skipped breaks had 20 mins for lunch, stayed at work till 4.30 drove to collect children from childminder. Took children to their activities. Gave them their dinner and whatever wasn't done by 8pm didn't do. At that point the kids had to put themselves to bed or their Dad did if he could be bothered to come home ( it transpired that as life was so stressful at home he would somtimes stay in a hotel to avoid it!!!). At 8pm I started work an continued working until bedtime and normally went to bed between 1-1.30am.

The weekends where pretty heavy too. Saturdays were spent sleeping and the Sunday catching up on work I hadn't managed on the Saturday and writing seminar papers.

It was bloody hard work but it's paid off. Now fully qualified, about to begin work full time and able to cope with two children with no selfish husband anymore!

determined1_2

SEAREOUSLY p**ssed off :mad:

Had my salary review today following my completion of AAT.

Not the £4k I expected, a pathetic £1k.

I know some people out there will say "at least you still have a job". But that is not the point I'm making.

Over the past year I have worked really hard. I now for a fact I do far more than is expected. We have an appraisal system in place where you are scored between 1 and 5. 3 being the expected.

I got a 5!
Stay late
Come in early
Ahead of targets
Simply work at a much higher level than is expected

So, very simply I feel I am not paid enough for what I do.

To also rub it in further, a system of performance related bonuses was introduced. Nought for my 5. When a 5 indicates good performance!

At the moment, all my motivation has gone and I quite simply cannot be bothered. Might as well just turn up at 9 and leave at 5:30 - the hours I'm contracted to do.

A not so determined Determined1 at the moment!

wantabetterlife

Oh that is so annoying!!! I bet you had allocated all the extra earnings as well. Did they offer any explanation as to why it is only 25% of the expected increase? Will they review the situation in a few months? Have to say i would be seriously !!!!ed off aswell. As you say why bother coming in early etc.. when everyone else gets the same and they dont put in any extra effort!!:mad:. By the way i have been lurking on your diary for a while and think that you are doing brilliant, i just wish i had the same sense as you when i started out. Dont loose hope :T

determined1_2

Just the normal stuff about in line with market for your role blah blah blah. makes me feel even more annoyed that you as a person do not get considered apparantly.

What is really bugging me, I'm now ahead of the graduate when they come on in respect of exams, and I have 2 years practicle experience, yet my £20k (what it has gone up to) is £1.5k less than what they came in on last year.

No chance of it getting reviewed for at least 6 months, and even then unlikely.

Thanks for following though, and your interest

Welshlassie

Do your own market research. Barclay Simpson do a salary report each year that details what average salaries are around the country for all levels. See what other jobs are being advertise, speak to a few agencies and see what salaries are being offered and then make your case.

Even if you don't get any more, it shows you won't be pushed around and it will earn you more respect.

My boss and I were discussing similar a month or so ago and she actually said she has more respect for new starters and employees when they ask for a pay rise or challenge what they are offered (even if they don't get it). It will stand you in good stead for the next pay review.