Personal Development

You’ve finished up your exams and now have some time to relax. However, you want to make sure you don’t lose focus. Suvi Inkinen shares her tips on staying motivated while having a restful summer With the CAP1 and CAP2 exams completed for the summer, some students might feel a slump in their productivity or worry they will get out of their established study-work-life routine. Here are a few ways to stay active while getting a much-needed break. Upskilling The summer is the perfect time to upskill in ways that may be unrelated to work.  For most students, it is a slightly quieter period and thus is great for branching out into different work-related tools. For example, teaching yourself how to use various digital assets. This is a good way to keep the brain active during summer. Prioritise your health Students should learn to prioritise their health to maintain an excellent work-life balance.  Working or studying late some evenings is a must, but students should always ensure that they’re getting enough exercise and rest.  A simple way to ensure a good work-life balance is to take your lunch break and have it blocked off on your calendar every day. If I’m working from home, I love to head out on a walk during lunchtime.  Another fantastic way to ensure there is balance in your busy life as a Chartered Accountancy student is to get actively involved in related societies, such as CASSI (or regional societies for Dublin, Cork, Ulster, Galway, Mid-West, Midlands and Limerick) for students or Young Professionals (YPs) once you qualify.  CASSI & YPs provide academic content through webinars, CPD events, exam top-tips and career evenings throughout the year, along with social activities such as BBQs, quizzes, cruises and weekends away with fellow Chartered Accountants. Prep for the next term? I recommend taking a break from studying over the summer period and starting fresh once the term begins.  The Institute’s exams are much more challenging than any college exam (in my opinion), and your brain deserves a break before starting again in September.  I always find myself motivated to begin studying again after taking time off and relaxing. You’ll have plenty of time to study before the next set of exams! CASSI CASSI is there for students, and you can contact us through any of our socials, which include: Email Address: cassinetwork@gmail.com Instagram: @cai_student_society LinkedIn: Chartered Accountants Students Society Ireland Our CASSI Education Officer prepares an exam survey sent to students via the Institute’s student affairs team after each exam. I recommend that students complete this survey as the results are brought to the Institute for review when assessing the marking scheme. This contributes to how exams are run in the future, ensuring your needs are being met. Suvi Inkinen is a Risk Assurance Associate at PwC Ireland 

Remote work has given trainee accountants a lot of freedom. However, that freedom comes with some challenges that can be overcome with balance, says Jack Deignan It’s easy to list the obvious joys of remote work. The increased levels of flexibility in daily routines, the total elimination of the pains of the commute and the comfort to be found in working from your own home.  There’s also something to be said of the lack of pressure that working from home allows. There is no expectation to get out of your pyjamas, and you can take solace in knowing your favourite mug is just down the hall.  It can be much easier to get into the rhythm of the day if you just need to walk from your bed to your desk.  Work and study challenges However, working remotely is not without its challenges.  The lack of social cohesion in teams when everyone works from home can impact performance. It’s also difficult to foster a sense of comradery if every interaction is facilitated through a screen.  Learning on the job has also become more difficult in some cases. It’s almost always more beneficial to ask someone to explain something face-to-face.  The same goes for studying. When the pressure is on, it can feel isolating to be away from people who are going through the same kind of juggling act between work, study and life. A proper balance Working remotely has created an opportunity to reflect on what is gained and lost when given a chance to work from home.  We must balance our work and study while utilising the advantages of remote working. When working from home, you can get lost in a task and continue working more than what would be considered healthy for proper work-life balance. It’s important to remember to take breaks—go for a walk, get a coffee and don’t worry about going to the GP or running to the post office if needed. Similarly, studying can take over your life when you don’t have people around you that can keep you in check. Take the initiative to meet fellow trainees for a study session at the office or a local café.  Alternatively, set up a Teams or Zoom study call, so you don’t have to leave home but still have a study group. Having flexibility doesn't mean forgetting when the work and study day ends—it means you get some of that time back for yourself. Enjoy it. Jack Deignan is a Risk Assurance Associate at PwC