Campus Club ambassador Christian Smith shares the three strategies that helped him balance a full course load, a summer internship, and his social life while passing Exam FM.
The balance between school, studying, and personal life can be a tough juggling act that takes time to get the hang of. I experienced this new way of life when I began studying for Exam FM with Coaching Actuaries in March 2025. I was taking 16 credits at Villanova and had to find a way to fit in studying alongside schoolwork for all my courses while maintaining a social life with my friends on campus.
I took the exam in June, during my summer internship at Selective Insurance, which also gave me a glimpse into balancing work with studying and seeing family and friends at home. I learned many tips along my studying journey that helped me pass FM and still make time for the things I enjoy.
1. Block Out Dedicated Study Time
One key tip was blocking out specific times to study by creating a study schedule. I would block 2 or 3 hours at a time to focus solely on studying for FM, which forced me to sit down and study even when I had other things going on throughout the day.
I would block 2 or 3 hours at a time to focus solely on studying for FM, which forced me to sit down and study even when I had other things going on throughout the day.
2. Find a Space Where You Can Lock In
Additionally, I would find a quiet and comfortable spot to study so I could stay focused and learn each concept efficiently, leaving time for my other plans. I found that studying in my room was too distracting, and I needed a remote location to lock in.
I found that studying in my room was too distracting, and I needed a remote location to lock in.
3. Surround Yourself With Supportive People
Finally, the most important thing was having people around me who understood that studying was my top priority as I came closer to my exam. Everyone respected that I had to take the time to study and therefore could not do as much as usual, but everyone was always willing to work around my schedule to still make plans.
The most important thing was having people around me who understood that studying was my top priority as I came closer to my exam.
Finding Your Own Balance
Overall, this balance can definitely be a tough one when you first start studying for an actuarial exam. However, creating a strict study schedule, finding a quiet study space, and communicating with the people around you will help you find your balance and build a supportive atmosphere as you progress through your actuarial journey.
About the Author
Christian Smith is a junior at the Villanova School of Business studying applied quantitative finance with minors in mathematics and computer science. He serves as president of the Villanova Society of Actuaries, where he teaches underclassmen about the many benefits of an actuarial career and how they can progress through their own journeys. Christian has passed Exam FM and completed an actuarial internship in a pricing role at Selective Insurance. He is half Croatian and loves connecting to his heritage through soccer.