Starting the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Intermediate course felt like a huge leap into the unknown. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, with a dash of uncertainty about what was really ahead. Like many others, I’d heard all the stories—how tough the course was, how overwhelming the workload could get, and the stereotypes that surrounded it. Still, I knew I had to dive in and see for myself. So, I took that first step, hoping for the best and bracing for the worst.
Beginning the CA Journey
The reality hit me hard right from the beginning. The CA Intermediate course was nothing like my previous academic experiences. It was intense—new subjects, complex ideas, and a fast pace I hadn’t quite expected. In the first few days, I could feel the pressure building up. The course demanded more than just book smarts; it required a shift in how I approached everything. Time management, learning habits, even my mindset—everything had to change.
I quickly realized that the stories I had heard about the CA course were true in some ways, but they didn’t fully capture what it was really like. Yes, the workload was heavy, and the syllabus was vast, but what really threw me off was how much responsibility I had to take on myself. It wasn’t just about showing up to class and taking notes—it was about actively learning, understanding every concept, and applying them on my own. The more I learned, the more I realized I was on my own in many ways. But, despite the overwhelming feeling at first, I grew into that responsibility, and it became a big part of my learning experience.
Expectations vs. Reality: What I Thought vs. What I Experienced
Going into the course, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I knew it would be tough, but I didn’t fully grasp how tough. The sheer volume of material was something I wasn’t prepared for. The syllabus was massive, and every subject felt like it had its own mountain of details to climb. I thought I’d be able to breeze through, but I quickly learned that simply understanding the basics wasn’t enough. To really “get it,” I had to dig deeper and spend hours working through problems and revising.
One of the biggest surprises was how detailed everything was. I’d expected the course to be challenging, but I didn’t realize how much depth each subject would require. There were no shortcuts—every topic needed serious attention, and I had to work harder than I anticipated to master the material. Some days, it felt like I was drowning in information, but somehow, the pieces started falling into place.
Another thing I hadn’t fully understood was the shift from classroom learning to independent study. In school, I was used to being spoon-fed information—teachers laid everything out for me, and I just had to follow along. But in the CA course, it was up to me to figure things out. Sure, there were classes and resources, but it was more about taking the initiative and doing the work myself. At first, that was intimidating. I wasn’t used to it, and it felt like a huge weight on my shoulders. But over time, I learned to embrace it, and it pushed me to become more independent.
The Unexpected Camaraderie Among Students
One stereotype I had was that CA students would be all about competition—everyone fighting for the top spot, no one willing to help anyone else. But to my surprise, I found a lot of support from my peers. Sure, there was some competition, but it wasn’t cutthroat. We were all in the same boat, facing the same challenges. I remember sharing notes with classmates, discussing difficult topics, and encouraging each other during stressful times. That sense of camaraderie made the whole journey feel a lot less lonely. It wasn’t just about surviving the course—it was about getting through it together.
Wrapping It Up
Looking back, those first few weeks in the CA Intermediate course were a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, and growth. My expectations didn’t always match reality, but that’s part of the journey. The workload was tougher, the material more detailed, and the level of independence required much higher than I had imagined. But what I didn’t expect was the way it forced me to grow—not just as a student, but as a person.
If you're about to start this journey or are in the middle of it, know this: it’s not going to be easy. There will be times when it feels overwhelming, when it seems like there’s too much to handle. But trust me when I say that it’s all worth it. Stick with it, stay focused, and remember that every challenge is just another step toward something bigger. You’ve got this.
My First Impressions of the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Intermediate Course