Attending Community College for MCSA / Tips needed

I'm attending a nearby community college for MCSA certification and this will be my first real dive into the Microsoft world for system administration. I was told to get the sybex 2012 R2 MCSA book for the class ( Which I have now ) In addition I was told other printed material would be available as well as labs by Dreamspark. Any tips or suggestions are welcome.
This class is going to be going on for the next 5 months and I want to make the most of it. I plan to utilize this forum alot and I will try to find the answer before posting a question here. In some of the other posts here in this forum the following books are suggested to buy for studies and I want to make sure they are still relevant.
[h=1][/h]MCSA Windows 2012 R2 Sybex book <-- I have
Learn power shell in a month of Lunches.
Exam Ref 70-410 2nd edition
Technet

Any other suggestions please let me know. I'm looking forward to learning MCSA and to getting to know you all on this forum.
mgmguy1

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Comments

PJ_Sneakers

Group Policy by Moskowitz is pretty good. But to be honest, I've only cracked it open for casual reading here and there, or if I simply cannot find something with a Google search. But if I can't find something through Google, it's probably not in the book either. Still a very good resource.

I also like the Windows 7 Portable Command Guide and the Windows Server 2008 Portable Command Guide books from Gibson.

NetworkingStudent

This site has some good videos for the 70-410 exam.
Networkedminds - Where Networked Focused Minds Meet!

I'm hoping there are videos in works for the 70-411 and 70-412 or 09 exams.

Louie1277

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

This site has some good videos for the 70-410 exam.
Networkedminds - Where Networked Focused Minds Meet!

I'm hoping there are videos in works for the 70-411 and 70-412 or 09 exams.

Thanks for the link looks like good videos. I will have to check them out this week or something. My issue i believe is GPO policy's and user permissions.

mgmguy1

Thank you for the videos. I bookmarked them and I am watching them now !

mgmguy1

My first night class for the MCSA was good. I arrived 15 minutes early and I discovered the class has 6 people in it. All my classmates expect one are in their 40's and are going back to school like I am to update there skills so we can get a better job. I really like the Teacher. He seems very down to earth and explained some of the intro concepts in "cisco speak" which made me understand things a little better. I am looking forward to learning Windows
2012 server. Homework tonight is to read the assigned chapters in the book and go over them next time in class and do some labs.

Louie1277

Nice... Trust me If I knew the college by would have to this course I would of sign up a long time ago. Just remember ask questions if you don't understand it. Once you start with the lab it will get easier down the road...

Good Luck!