I work six days a week at a wealth management firm. I go to the gym five or six mornings a week. I also run a small content page on the side. When I decided to start CFA prep on top of all that, most people thought I was setting myself up to burn out. And honestly, the first few weeks, it felt that way.
But a few months in, I've figured out a rhythm that works. It's not perfect, and some weeks are better than others, but it's working. Here's what I've learned so far.
Your social life will take a hit. That's okay.
I used to go out most Friday and Saturday nights. That had to change. Not completely, but I had to get comfortable saying no more often than I used to. Friday nights became early nights. Saturday mornings became study mornings. It felt weird at first, almost like I was missing out on something.
But it's temporary. A few months of being less available is not going to ruin your friendships. The people who matter will understand. And honestly, the ones who give you a hard time about it probably weren't going to help you pass Level I anyway.
Find your hours and protect them
For me it's early mornings before work and Sunday afternoons. Those are my non-negotiable study blocks. Everything else I can be flexible with. If something comes up during the week, fine. But those windows are locked in.
The key is finding windows that already exist in your schedule rather than trying to create new ones out of thin air. I tried studying after work initially. Completely useless. After nine or ten hours at the office, my brain was done for the day. I'd read the same paragraph three times and retain nothing.
Mornings before the gym turned out to be my best window. I'm up anyway, the house is quiet, and my mind is actually sharp. It took some experimenting to figure that out, but once I did, everything clicked into place.
Forty-five focused minutes beats three distracted hours
I used to think I needed marathon study sessions on weekends to make real progress. Turns out, shorter focused blocks work much better for me. I'll do 45 minutes to an hour, fully locked in, phone in another room. Then take a break. Then come back for another round if I've got the energy.
The retention is noticeably better compared to when I used to try grinding through three hours with my phone buzzing next to me. Every notification pulled me out of whatever I was working on, and it took five minutes to get back into it. Now I just remove the temptation entirely.
Weekends are where you make up ground
During the week, I'm mostly doing flashcards and light review. Quick stuff I can fit into 30 or 45 minutes before heading to the gym. Weekends are when I tackle new topics or do practice questions that need more focus.
I usually block out a few hours on Sunday for a deeper study session. It doesn't have to be the whole day. Even three or four solid hours on a Sunday adds up fast over a few months. That's where the real progress happens for me.
You don't need to quit your job
I see people online saying you need to take time off work or reduce your hours to pass the CFA. Maybe for some people that's true. But plenty of candidates pass every year while working demanding jobs. You just need to be realistic about your time, honest about what you can and can't fit in, and consistent.
Showing up for 45 minutes every day matters more than one epic 8-hour session once a month. The compound effect of daily effort is real. It's the same principle that works in the gym. You don't get stronger from one massive workout. You get stronger from showing up regularly and putting in the work, even when it's not exciting.
