Balancing exam prep, coursework, and a social life in college is no small feat, especially on the path to becoming an actuary. Coaching Actuaries ambassador Aleksander Stacy shares the time-management strategies that helped him pass Exam FM while staying active on campus.
When I first started college at Ball State, I had only a few goals in mind: join clubs, make a lot of new friends, and pass as many actuarial exams as I could before graduating.
I started that journey by going to the club fair at the beginning of the school year. After searching the club portal website for hours, I knew exactly which clubs felt like a good fit—and which ones I'd enjoy, too.
By the end of the first week, I had signed up for three clubs, one of which was GIS. I was also able to do this alongside new friends I'd met in the dorms and in class.
When Everything Competes for Your Time
After my first semester ended and I had completed Exam FM Prep Part One, I felt comfortable enough to start studying for the exam. That's when I started to notice how difficult it can be to pursue everything you want all at the same time.
My friends would ask me to hang out, but I also had homework to finish and Coaching Actuaries study sessions to keep up with.
I started to notice how difficult it can be to pursue everything you want all at the same time.
The way I overcame this was by getting my priorities straight and learning to compartmentalize my time. I realized that a lot of small commitments were unnecessary and could be cut from my schedule, freeing up space for the things that actually mattered.
The Strategy That Made It Work
Instead of studying in scattered sessions throughout the day, I consolidated all of my studying into one dedicated block. This eliminated the time lost to constant context switching and gave me room to socialize on weekends, since I'd already taken care of my work on weekdays.
I consolidated all of my studying into one dedicated block … [This] gave me room to socialize on weekends.
What I Took Away From It All
Through these struggles, I learned how to become more time-efficient while still maintaining a social life and making real progress on Exam FM. I can now happily say I've passed FM and am confidently studying for Exam P.
I learned how to become more time-efficient while still maintaining a social life and making real progress on Exam FM
About the Author
Aleksander Stacy is a sophomore actuarial science major at Ball State University and the current Coaching Actuaries ambassador for that campus. Originally from Monterey, a small town in northern Indiana, he chose Ball State for its supportive actuarial science program and vibrant campus community. Since arriving, he joined the GIS club as a first-year student, rose to secretary, and now serves as VP, overseeing officer meetings, managing the Coaching Actuaries ambassador responsibilities, and organizing weekly study sessions.
He also founded Ball State's Poker Club to give students a hands-on way to explore probability, game theory optimization, and social connection through the game. Over the summer before his sophomore year, Aleksander worked 50+ hours a week at a tire factory while studying for Exam FM, passing it in August before the school year began. After completing a probability course in Fall 2025, he prepared for Exam P in May using Coaching Actuaries study tools.