Things to Prepare for a Bookkeeping Class as a Student: Your Complete Success Guide
Starting a bookkeeping class can feel intimidating, especially if numbers aren't your natural strength. But with the right preparation, tools, and mindset, you can not only succeed but excel. Here's everything you need to know before your first day—and throughout your course.
Essential Supplies and Tools
Physical Materials
Classroom Basics:
Scientific calculator (with financial functions if possible)
Multiple notebooks or binders for organized note-taking
Highlighters and colored pens for categorization and emphasis
Sticky notes for marking important pages and concepts
Ruler for creating neat columns and tables
Pencils with erasers for practice problems
Organization System:
Three-ring binder with dividers (sections for notes, homework, practice, reference)
Folder for handouts and supplemental materials
Index cards for creating flashcards of key terms
Calendar or planner for tracking assignments and deadlines
Technology Requirements
Software and Access:
Reliable computer or laptop (bookkeeping software intensive)
Spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets)
Accounting software access (QuickBooks Online)
Cloud storage for backing up assignments (Google Drive, Dropbox)
Stable internet connection for online resources
Recommended Apps:
Note-taking app (OneNote, Evernote) for digital organization
Flashcard app (Quizlet, Anki) for memorizing terms and concepts
Calculator app on phone for quick calculations
Video recording app if instructor allows class recording
Pre-Class Knowledge Building
Foundational Math Skills
Brush Up On:
Basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
Percentages and decimal conversions
Ratios and proportions
Negative numbers (critical for credits and debits)
Basic algebra
Free Resources: Khan Academy offers excellent free math refreshers specifically for business students.
Understanding Basic Business Concepts
Helpful Pre-Reading:
What businesses do (revenue, expenses, profit)
Different business structures (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation)
Basic financial terminology (asset, liability, equity, revenue, expense)
Purpose of financial statements
Head Start: Understanding these concepts before class begins helps you focus on bookkeeping mechanics rather than struggling with vocabulary.
Familiarize Yourself with Excel
Critical Excel Skills:
Basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, IF statements)
Cell formatting and number formats
Creating simple tables
Basic charts and graphs
Cell references (absolute vs. relative)
Practice Now: Many bookkeeping assignments involve spreadsheets. Excel proficiency dramatically reduces assignment time.
Learning Strategies for Success
Active Note-Taking Methods
The T-Account Approach: Create visual representations as you learn—bookkeeping is inherently visual with debits on the left, credits on the right.
Color-Coding System:
Blue for assets
Red for liabilities
Green for equity
Yellow for revenue
Orange for expenses
Cornell Method: Divide pages into sections: main notes, key points/questions, and summary. Perfect for reviewing before exams.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Hands-On Learning: Bookkeeping is like learning a musical instrument—you must practice to develop muscle memory and intuition.
Study Habits:
Work through every practice problem, not just assigned ones
Redo problems you struggled with until they become automatic
Create your own example transactions and record them
Practice journal entries daily, even just 10 minutes
Don't just read solutions—work problems independently first
Understanding Over Memorization
Conceptual Focus: Rather than memorizing "debit cash, credit revenue," understand WHY the accounting equation must balance and HOW transactions affect different accounts.
The Why Matters: When you understand the logic, you can figure out unfamiliar transactions. Pure memorization fails when scenarios change.
Study Group and Resources
Form a Study Group Early
Benefits:
Different perspectives on confusing concepts
Accountability for keeping up with material
Shared resources and study guides
Explaining concepts to others reinforces your understanding
Support system during challenging topics
Effective Groups: 3-5 students with similar commitment levels, meeting weekly for 1-2 hours.
Leverage Available Resources
Institutional Resources:
Professor office hours (use them—instructors love engaged students)
Tutoring center or accounting lab
Library resources and textbooks
Online course supplements and practice quizzes
External Resources:
YouTube channels (Accounting Stuff, Edspira, Accounting Play)
Online practice platforms (AccountingCoach.com)
Bookkeeping subreddits and forums
Professional accounting organization student memberships
Time Management and Study Schedule
Course Planning
Weekly Time Allocation:
3-hour class time
6-9 hours homework and practice (2-3 hours per credit hour standard)
2-3 hours reading and review
Total: 11-15 hours weekly minimum
Reality Check: Bookkeeping requires consistent effort. Cramming doesn't work—concepts build on each other sequentially.
Strategic Study Schedule
Daily Practice (30 minutes): Review notes from previous class and preview upcoming topics.
Post-Class Review (1 hour): Rework examples from lecture while fresh. Identify confusing points for office hours.
Weekend Deep Work (3-4 hours): Complete assignments, work practice problems, and prepare for upcoming week.
Mindset and Attitude
Embrace the Learning Curve
Normal Struggles:
Debits and credits feel backwards initially (they're not—you'll see)
Accounting equation seems abstract at first
Multiple accounts and categories feel overwhelming
Reconciliation seems tedious
Truth: Everyone struggles initially. The "aha moment" comes around week 3-4 when concepts click.
Develop Professional Habits Early
Career Preparation:
Attention to detail (bookkeeping has zero tolerance for "close enough")
Organization and systematic approach
Meeting deadlines consistently
Double-checking work before submission
Professional communication with instructor and peers
Long-Term Thinking: These habits transfer directly to workplace success.
Growth Mindset
Replace Fixed Thinking:
"I'm bad at math" → "I'm learning financial math skills"
"This is too hard" → "This is challenging, but I can master it with practice"
"I'll never understand debits and credits" → "I don't understand YET, but I will"
Self-Efficacy: Your belief in your ability to learn bookkeeping significantly affects your actual success.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Falling Behind
The Danger: Bookkeeping is cumulative—missing journal entries makes understanding financial statements impossible. Prevention: Attend every class, keep assignments current, seek help immediately when confused.
Skipping Practice Problems
The Mistake: Reading solutions without working problems yourself creates illusion of understanding. Solution: Cover answers, work problems independently, then check your work.
Neglecting the Accounting Equation
Foundation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity underlies everything. Never forget it. Application: Every transaction must keep this equation in balance. Use it to check your work.
Perfectionism Paralysis
Problem: Waiting to fully understand before attempting practice problems. Reality: You learn BY attempting problems and making mistakes, not before attempting them.
First Week Success Tips
Class 1 Priorities:
Sit near the front (fewer distractions, easier to see examples)
Introduce yourself to classmates (future study group)
Get syllabus and plan entire semester immediately
Review textbook table of contents and familiarize yourself with structure
Set up all required software and test access
Week 1 Goals:
Understand the accounting equation thoroughly
Grasp the difference between assets, liabilities, and equity
Learn basic transaction analysis
Master the T-account structure
Begin building good study habits immediately
The Bottom Line
Success in bookkeeping class comes from preparation, consistent practice, and the right mindset. It's not about being a "math person"—it's about developing systematic thinking and attention to detail.
Key Insight: Bookkeeping is a skill, not a talent. Anyone willing to practice consistently can master it.
First Step: Gather supplies, review basic math, familiarize yourself with Excel, and commit to consistent effort. The students who succeed aren't necessarily the smartest—they're the most consistent and persistent.
Your bookkeeping class is the foundation for accounting, finance, and business careers. Invest the time now, and you'll reap benefits throughout your professional life.