Q: Many of the lessons in an accounting class build on each other. Being sure that you are keeping up with concepts and how they relate to one another will help with your overall understanding of how each process works together.  Review notes after each class to be sure you don’t have any questions about the lesson. Look back at any practice problems in the book. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. For example, if you are having trouble with debt-to-equity ratio, ask your professor for help. Accounting terms and processes are set up to be as logical as possible. Understanding why certain things are done in certain ways will give you a stronger insight into what to do to tackle each individual problem.  Create flashcards that define terms AND what circumstances you would use them or see them in. Answer any discussion questions in your text book and come prepared to ask questions in your class. It can also be helpful to talk problems out with a classmate or tutor to be sure you understand why it gets solved a certain way. The CPA exam in particular will have many simulations or case studies that will ask you to sort through terms to get to your answer. Once you can see why things are done, it’s time to focus on learning how to do them.  Review old homework assignments. Rework problems you may have missed or may not have fully understood at the time. Work through problems with a partner, discussing the methods you used to solve it to help each other understand more deeply how the process works. Familiarize yourself with key terms and what they mean. Be aware of terms like retained losses and accumulated deficits that can easily be confused. Before you start to workout a problem, take a moment to think about how you will organizing the information to best help you come to a solution. Having a clear method for solving problems can help you keep things focused and relieve stress during an exam. Some longer task based questions are giving in long paragraphs and can have several sections. Practice identifying the relevant information and listing it in on a separate piece of paper.  Make sure you understand all the parties involved, the length of time, the situation being described as well as contract or payment terms. Make a list of related facts or amounts. Some questions will contain information that is not needed and simply there to throw you off.
A: Keep up with the lessons. Understand why. Work practice problems to understand how. Organize your thoughts.

Q: Your letterhead should include your full name, address, telephone number, and email address. You can align your letterhead along the left hand margin or place it horizontally across the top of the page with a separating line—a good option if you want it to take up less space. It doesn't matter whether you put the date first or last, or how many blank lines you include between them, as long as it looks professional. From here on out, use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman throughout the entire letter, set your margins to one inch, and use single spacing. Be sure your font is black, and if you're printing your letter out, use standard-sized paper (8 1/2” by 11”). Be sure to refer to the recipient by his or her proper title (Mrs., Mr., Dr., etc.). If you’re not sure who the recipient is, write, “To Whom It May Concern:” or “Dear Sir or Madam”; however, it is always best to address a cover letter to a real person to make it look like you’re not sending form letters. Tell the employer why you are writing to them in two or three sentences. State the position for which you are applying (or the one you would like to have should it become available).  You don't necessarily need to include how you became aware of the position unless it was through a mutual contact or recruiting program—in which case you should make the most of the connection. If you are writing a letter of interest (also known as a prospecting or inquiry letter) in which you are asking about positions that might be available, specify why you are interested in working for the employer. Make sure to match them to the requirements of the position. If you are writing to inquire about open positions, tell the employer how you can contribute to their bottom line, not what you want to get out of the deal. To do this, use what you have researched about the employer's background and history. Make this closing paragraph between two and four sentences. Direct the employer to your enclosed resume and make sure you specify that you're available for an interview. Finish off by thanking the recruiter for their time and consideration, and welcome them to get in touch with you to continue the conversation. It’s a good idea to thank the reader for his or her time. After that, write “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or “Regards,” leave several spaces, and print your name. If you will be submitting your cover letter digitally, it’s a good idea to scan and add your signature, write it in with a digital writing pad, or make a digital signature stamp with appropriate software. If you enclose something, such as a resume, with a letter, you should indicate that the letter contains enclosures by making the notation “Enclosure” or “Enclosures” at the bottom of the letter.
A: Add a letterhead at the top of the letter. Write the recipient’s name, address, and the date below the letterhead. Address the recipient. State your purpose in the first paragraph. Outline your qualifications in the middle paragraph(s). Include a positive statement or question in the final paragraph that will motivate the employer to contact you. Write an appropriate closing. Add your signature. Make a notation of the enclosures.

Q: You are under-cooking the pasta because it will finish cooking in the oven. Make sure that the skillet is large enough to hold the spaghetti sauce , which you will be adding later. Stir the onion and ground beef occasionally with a spatula so that they cook evenly. This will help the flavors mix and blend together. Stir occasionally so that everything cooks evenly. Use a spatula to spread the pasta across the bottom of the dish in a even layer, then lay all of the Provolone slices on top. Spread the sour cream on top of the Provolone cheese. You will add the rest of the pasta in another layer. Use a 9 by 13 inch (22.86 by 33.02 centimeters) baking dish. Try to spread it as evenly as possible. You are only using half now, because you will be adding the rest of it in another layer. Spread the pasta across the sauce mixture first, then add the mozzarella cheese. Try to spread everything as evenly as possible. Finish off with the rest of the sauce mixture. This will be your finishing touch, and help create that final, crispy layer. If you want to get that nice, crispy layer on top, place your dish under the broiler until the cheese turns golden. This will take about 4 minutes. This also allows the sauce to settle into all of the nooks and crannies of the pasta.
A: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the pasta in salted water for 3 minutes less than the recommended time, then drain it and set it aside. Brown the onion and ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add the spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Add half of the pasta, Provolone cheese, and sour cream into a greased baking dish. Spread half of the sauce mixture on top of the sour cream. Add the rest of the pasta, mozzarella cheese, and sauce mixture. Top the dish with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30, or until cheeses are melted. Remove the dish from the oven, and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Finished.

Q: The only way to truly conquer your phone anxiety is to figure out what’s causing it. Question what’s at the bottom of your fear of talking on the phone: Are you worried about saying something embarrassing? Do you fear rejection? Take a moment to really notice the thoughts that go through your head before you make a phone call. Notice what kinds of things you are telling yourself. After gaining some insight into what’s driving your fear, try to change them. You can do this by modifying what you’re telling yourself about talking on the phone. For example, you might be telling yourself that you’ll say something stupid or embarrassing. If this is the case, try to think about times when you have made a phone call and you didn’t say anything embarrassing. Now, reframe your self-talk by saying something like, “I have made several phone calls without embarrassing myself. I am capable of having a successful telephone conversation.”
A:
Get to the bottom of your fears. Challenge your self-talk.