Anthony Cartellone, a senior actuarial science student at UNLV and Campus Club ambassador, shares how he has balanced actuarial exams, coursework, and his personal life on the way to passing four exams before graduation.
Hello, my name is Anthony Cartellone, and I want to share how I found success balancing actuarial exams, personal life, and school. I took my first actuarial exam in July 2024, and I am proud to say I will be taking my fifth exam at the beginning of next month. A lot of growth and life lessons happened between those two milestones.
I learned to prioritize based on my confidence level, not deadlines alone. More often than not, that meant the actuarial exam came first.
Failing the First Exam and Learning from It
Like many people taking actuarial exams, I failed my first one. After that initial setback, I realized I needed to find a better balance in how I approached studying. One of the first changes I made was designating specific study days. On those days, I blocked off time solely for actuarial studying. I avoided making plans with family or friends and did not study for anything else during that time.
Communicating Openly with the People Around You
Another helpful strategy was being open with the people in my life about how rigorous actuarial exams are and how much time they require. By explaining my situation, I no longer felt guilty when I could not spend as much time with them. This was especially important in maintaining my friendships.
I blocked off time solely for actuarial studying. I avoided making plans with family or friends.
Prioritizing by Confidence, Not Just Deadlines
When it came to balancing schoolwork and actuarial exams, I learned to prioritize based on my confidence level. For example, if I had an actuarial exam in two weeks and a school exam around the same time, I focused more on whichever one I felt least prepared for. More often than not, that turned out to be the actuarial exam.
Key Takeaways
Overall, I found success by blocking designated study time, communicating openly with friends and family, and prioritizing exams based on confidence rather than deadlines alone.
About the Author
Anthony Cartellone is a senior actuarial science student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His actuarial journey began during his sophomore year, when he first discovered the profession and shortly thereafter began taking actuarial exams, a pursuit that has taken him all the way to his fifth exam within just a few years.
Anthony currently serves as a Campus Club ambassador, a role he began this semester, and has been an active member of Gamma Iota Sigma since his junior year. His exam progress and involvement in the actuarial community led to his acceptance of an entry-level healthcare actuarial position upon graduation.
On a personal note, Anthony has a peanut allergy and has been gradually building immunity, with hopes of one day leaving it behind entirely.