5 Reasons I Failed the CFP Coursework

Last year, I went through a rather traumatic event, I gave up on my Certified Financial Planning course work. I put the books far away in the closet, never to be seen, until last month when I went scrummaged through my cupboards, and those dusty financial planning books crept—taunting me. I started reflecting on what went wrong with completing the CFP program. 

1. I attempted to do it alone. 

1. Doing double programs did not work for my life. Both required a lot of time. All work and no play made me one irritable Lil’ Napoleon. I would study during my work breaks and write papers, wee into the night. It got so bad that I studied at my friend’s bachelorette party. Sorry, NOP. I wasn’t present for anyone.
   

2. I took the CFP coursework while being a grad student.

   All work and no play make Eugenie turn into Lil’ Napoleon. I didn’t realize the power of rest and self-care. I needed to rest and take care of myself to feel okay about taking the course. I did not sleep, nor did I see many of my friends. Looking back at it, I didn’t take time to heal from some pretty dramatic stuff, and that year that I was attempting to take CFP courses, I could’ve napped and waited until I was done with my MBA. 

3. I studied wrong 

   For years, my studying style served me until I turned 30. I was a great note-taker, I attended every class session, and I would read my books from front to back, but looking back at this strategy, it wasn’t going to help complete my CFP.   Looking for Google to help me find the answers, and oh goodness, was my mind blown. 

    Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning is one of the best books I’ve read about learning and what makes people remember their information for long periods of time. Long story short, the explains that there are 3 critical skills that one should use.

   1. Actively Recall information

   2. Quiz you at least one to three times a week. 

   3. Forgetting is a natural part of learning. 

4. Treat self-care as part of your study plan.

   All work and no play make Eugenie turn into Lil’ Napoleon. I didn’t realize the power of rest and self-care. I needed to rest and take care of myself to feel okay about taking the course. I did not sleep, nor did I see many of my friends. Looking back at it, I didn’t take time to heal from some pretty dramatic stuff, and that year that I was attempting to take CFP courses, I could’ve napped and waited until I was done with my MBA. 

5. I questioned my intelligence.

I’m no dummy, but when I took the CFP courses, I felt foolish. I would question who I was, and I was completely emotional about how the test made me feel about my intelligence. An odd thing to admit, but I was rolling through the 76 with woes. So I went to therapy during that difficult time, and I felt better about everything. 

I’m still going to complete the CFP coursework, but I’m going to do the AFC program first, and I’m not going to do it alone.