ACA planner

• Record the days you plan to study, either with a tuition provider or self-study within your planner
• Add your revision plan to the planner, ensuring to pick the days and times when you work best. Remember to add in scheduled breaks.
• The exam dates are highlighted and colour coded to help keep you organised. Head over to icaew.com/examresources for past exams, mark plans, support and guidance.
• It is essential to keep your training file up to date. Add updates to the planner to log your ACA training progress.
• It is your responsibility to organise your six-monthly reviews with your QPRT, counsellor or principal. Use the planner to record your review dates.
• Schedule in breaks while you are studying. A 10-minute meditation session can help keep you focused, or why not register for events with your local student society.

Preparing for the year ahead can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re in the middle of current deadlines or studying. However, setting goals and making a list of things you would like to achieve will help your personal and professional development.

It could also help you concentrate more effectively and give you more self-confidence. Setting goals could even make you feel happier and more satisfied, especially when you can see those goals are being achieved. Here are three tips to get you started:

1. Set a variety of goals Try setting at least one goal in each of these categories (or make up more of your own): work/career; education; health; relationships; family; finances; social life; fun/hobbies; and personal development
2. Be realistic Think about what you will need to do to attain your goals, and if there's no hope of you realistically achieving them, go back and have a re-think. Similarly, don't set your long-term goals too low. If you do, you won't feel the satisfaction that comes with achieving a goal you have had to work hard for.
3. Review your progress Once you are happy with the goals you have set, don't put the list away and forget about it. Try to review your goals on a regular basis – daily or weekly, for instance - and update them where necessary. Make a note of your progress, and consider changing your approach to any of the goals you feel you are not getting anywhere with. Remember, it's natural that your goals will change over time too, so try to be flexible and let go of any goals you feel are no longer relevant.

For more information on how to get the most out of your year, visit caba.org.uk

caba provides free independent support for ACA students and ICAEW Chartered Accountants.