How to balance classwork and studying for the SIE
Tucker is currently a student studying finance and is interested in working with investments post-college. He recently passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam using Achievable to study and prepare. He is also an incoming Wealth Management Intern at Moneta Group and is based in Chesterfield, Missouri.
As a college student preparing to step into the real world, tackling career-advancing exams can feel like a huge and overwhelming undertaking, especially when social media makes it all too easy to compare your journey to everyone else’s. Tucker, a student at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, knows this pressure well. By waiting to begin studying until he could fully commit, and then following a well-structured daily study plan, he set himself up for success and passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) on his first attempt.
What motivated you to take this exam?
I have always known that finance is the field I would go into after college, and I have always liked to think about what I can do in the present to make my life in the future easier. That was what led me to take the SIE exam. I knew that I would eventually have to take this exam for the career path I want to go down, so I decided to work towards passing the exam now. Additionally, I have a friend who shares the same interest as me. He took the SIE exam and recommended Achievable, which is how I first heard about the platform.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your prep?
I originally wanted to take the SIE exam in October. I first started studying in the middle of August. Little did I know school would catch up with me and totally throw me off course. I made a hard decision and decided that it was not worth it to rush something so important. So, I postponed my studying until Winter Break. I think this was one of the smartest and hardest decisions for me during this process. It's important not to rush yourself and find time to fully dedicate yourself to studying.
Did you use any strategies, habits, or tools that helped?
Since I dedicated all of my Winter break to the exam, one of the biggest things that helped me was making this one of my top priorities. I woke up early to review every day, then went to the gym for a break, then I continued studying until I had completed everything for that day. Another thing: making a schedule in advance helps you know what you need to do each day, and taking breaks when you need them is one of the smartest things you can do to stay consistent.
What advice would you give to someone just starting?
One of the things I wish someone had told me was that consistency is the most important factor. Everyone needs a different amount of time to fully comprehend complex topics. Don’t compare yourself to others because their story, background, time, etc., is totally different from yours. Putting in time every day that you can and focusing on your own studying is one of the things that helped me succeed.
How did you balance studying with other responsibilities?
I decided that waking up earlier to study allowed me to accomplish more. I used to go to the gym as the first thing every morning. I decided that if I woke up earlier to study, then went to the gym after, I would have more time to study and continue with my workout routine at the same time. After the gym, I would continue studying until my work for the day was done. I made studying my first priority. So there were many times that I had to stay home and review, rather than go out with friends. If things ever get stressful, I would take a small break and continue after.
How did you feel going into test day?
Going into test day, I tried to remain calm. At the end of the day, I had to remember all the time I had invested in understanding the material and preparing. This led me to start thinking confidently. Going into the exam with confidence is extremely important. You have to remember that you are prepared and that the test day is just applying everything you learned along the way.
What role did Achievable play in your prep?
Achievable was the foundation for my prep. I used it for hours every day. The textbook, practice quizzes/tests, videos, etc., all contributed to helping me learn the most. Furthermore, having explanations for every question was one of my favorite parts. I also liked how you can customize your study plan, which helped me stay on top of things and know exactly what I needed to complete every day.
Looking back, what would you do differently, if anything?
Looking back, I would have tried to remain calm through the entire process. Sometimes I would look on social media to see what people had to say about their test experience, and I would definitely not have done that after what I learned. It’s motivating to see the positive things, but I would overthink the negative things and compare my preparation to others, which I should not have done. Everyone’s studying is different, and everyone comprehends the materials in different ways. I would recommend trying to stay focused on your own path and finding a schedule that works for you, rather than comparing your studying with others.
What’s next for you now that you’ve finished the exam?
As a college student, I am unable to take any exams that require a firm sponsorship. I have one more year of school left, and then I will hopefully start working and prepare for the Series 7. When that time comes, I will definitely be using Achievable for my studying, just like I did with the SIE.
