Studying Method

NetworkNewb

Does anyone switch up the topics they are studying to keep it interesting and not get burnt out?

So after failing the CCNA exam by about 30 points, I took a week off (yea probably shouldn't of, but it is what it is) and am ready to start at it again. I'm planning to dedicate 1 hour each night to studying. Going to be 9pm to 10pm after the wife and kid goes to sleep. It might turn into more than 1 hour some nights but just setting aside 1 hour to start. I'm thinking switching up the topic every so often to keep things interesting. Thinking of switching it up between CCNA, Sec+, Wireshark, and maybe some Python. Will probably be CCNA 3-4 times a week until my next attempt in a couple weeks though.

Anyone do this or do most people just keep their head down on one topic at a time?

dave330i

Since you're close to getting your CCNA, I would recommend not switching.

If I'm studying for a cert, then I try to focus on the cert. If I'm studying for knowledge, I look at different things.

NetworkNewb

I like to think it is kind of just for knowledge. I don't plan on leaving my current position for a little while (maybe next year... we'll see. They did just gave me a little raise yesterday).

The way I like to look at Certs is like I'm taking a course on a subject. It helps me stick to a subject and has an outline of what I need to learn. Then there is the test to verify my knowledge at the end. Right now, I'm not really looking at the certs like I'm going to get "X" job if I get "X" certs. My company doesn't help pay for them and doesn't seem to care much about them. If they did I would probably care more about focusing on one at a time.

JoJoCal19

What I do is switch it up AFTER each cert, and I usually switch between technology and pleasure to avoid burnout (that I've already suffered after doing about 4 IT related certs in a row in one year). For example, after I finished my CEH, I decided to do my FL Real Estate Brokers license. Knocked that out and now I'm working on GSEC. After I pass this I'll probably spend a month on something else fun and non IT related before I start on my CISM.

Danielh22185

30 points from passing is a very near miss man. I'd say stay focused on the cert material and get it knocked out then jump into other stuff that interests you. Just my .02 and the methods I follow.