Does anyone else have Problems with FOCUSING During Cert Studies?

Hey guys,
Does anyone else get distracted while studying for certs?
When I watch a video or read something cert I get distracted after 5 minutes. It's hard to focus at times.
Labs seem different, because I stay focused, but even during labs I can get distracted at times.
It gets to the point where I will just go do something else, and then come back.
I noticed this in other parts of my life, but it's really noticeable during certs.
Does anyone else go through this?
It seems to have gotten worse as I have gotten older.
For example, I can watch a video for 70-410, and then after 5 or times minutes of listening to the video, go to a news website and read the news while the video is running.
Does anyone else get distracted while studying for certs?
When I watch a video or read something cert I get distracted after 5 minutes. It's hard to focus at times.
Labs seem different, because I stay focused, but even during labs I can get distracted at times.
It gets to the point where I will just go do something else, and then come back.
I noticed this in other parts of my life, but it's really noticeable during certs.
Does anyone else go through this?
It seems to have gotten worse as I have gotten older.
For example, I can watch a video for 70-410, and then after 5 or times minutes of listening to the video, go to a news website and read the news while the video is running.
When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened."
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
Comments
If you are not interested in it, you won't want to focus on it.
Find a study medium that helps you focus more. Ex: Find MP3s of a course for 70-410 and you can browse the internet @ the same time!
Not the best method but could be an option.
MP3 course if interested: https://www.examforce.com/products/microsoft/70-410-audiosg
Note: If you end up getting diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, you still have to be motivated and have self discipline to study regardless of what meds you're put on. You could have medication that helps but if you have a lot of temptations on your desktop, you might still have a problem focusing on the "right" thing and go down a rabbit hole.
Blog: www.network-node.com
Blog: www.network-node.com
Working on - RHCE
Still in my 20s so I keep up to date with all those trends!!
However, the way society is now with constant distractions around every corner doesn't always mean it's ADHD!
Best method to really test this out (in my opinion)
Since you are studying for MCSA server 2012, grab the MCSA study guide and sit in a room by yourself like solitary confinement and see if you can study for at least 30mins without any distractions. Sometimes you have to force yourself to not get distracted.
Blog: www.network-node.com
Also just curious for the OP, when you notice this distraction when studying, are you usually drained from a day at work? This is probably your body telling you that a break is necessary! Develop a study schedule that works best for you with no distractions. Routine is key when studying (at least for me it is everyone is different) Paul Browning (author of CCNA in 60 days book) actually had a good post about study schedules. If anyone finds it let me know!
I get distracted if the room is too quiet so I always have "white noise" in the form of a movie or music playing in the background but not overpowering my study session.
Set a goal with sliding routines: How much do you want to study during a particular session while accounting for breaks.
Comb through every study session before moving on to the next: Chapter/section one complete. Do the chapter/section test until you get 100% every single time. Thoroughly research all incorrect answers. Sometimes this research is more interesting than the actual studying.
You are wondering, "how does this help me?"
Easy!! You are setting a routine! Once set, you can get into a groove and will practically have to force yourself to take a break.
Last but not least; If you are tired and/or distracted before starting the session you will have the same composure during the session.
Good Luck!
Yup, it's like you're peeking into my office. Oh it was bad doing the CISM QAE DB. I would answer a few questions and want to jump into another tab and go check this or that.
Similar to Iris, I was diagnosed with ADD at a very young age. Took myself off meds at 12 years of age and self managed since. Not going to lie, it's been a struggle at times and I've had to sink more time into tests and things than others have to, and like Iris I've been very anti-med since, but it's been hard.
kMasta also hit the nail on the head, pursuing things that I really WANT to is also key to helping stay focused or having the drive to pursue, but for a person with ADD/ADHD that sometimes doesn't even matter. For me I've learned to not bother with things that I don't have a true desire to do. CISM has been something I've wanted to do for a long time so I was able to push through and get it done. The CISA is more because it's related to what I do and I should go ahead and get it. Having a little bit more trouble with that one.
Best advice, get a physical book and go somewhere quiet with no TV, phone, or tablet/laptop to study.
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
If you look at video like Pluralsight, use a Chromecast it help to focus. Also, adjust the speed of the video to more than 1x, so it need more concentration
I'm currently on a crusade in my own life to fix this. I'm so addicted to my entertainment that it makes it so hard to get real work done. Between Gmail, Facebook Messages and other distractions there is very little time in the day to get much long uninterrupted time to focus on learning and improving. I've been slowly shutting down channels (Instagram/Mobile notifications/alerts) on my devices. Unfortunately like sugar in our food, distraction has been riddled through our current existence and I feel overwhelmed when trying to do anything that requires long concentration. It's almost like I'm waiting to be interrupted and if I'm not interrupted I'll turn to some form of distraction after a few minutes.
I think for a lot of us it's time to really disconnect and not to get high on our own supply.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hER0Qp6QJNU
https://hbr.org/2017/05/your-brain-can-only-take-so-much-focus
Well right now I'm not working in IT. I'm looking for my next IT job.
I'm interested in the topic, but the power shell stuff does get boring after awhile.
It doesn't help that I never truly worked on servers in previous IT jobs.
I think spending 15 minutes at a time on a video might help me focus better.
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
I like the idea of finding a quiet place.
I might try classic music on head phone while reading or the Library.
The videos really need to be less than 30 minutes for me to get anything out of them.
Recently I signed up for CBT Nuggets and I enjoy the short length of the videos.
I think I will have to just buckle down and get stuff done.
The hardest part of studying is that I used most of the Comptia knowledge that I was studying for.
I don't use the Server stuff so much, so it does make it harder for it to sink in at times.
I'm going to try to create a study schedule, and see if that helps.
--Alexander Graham Bell,
American inventor
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
Future Plans: MSc + PMP, CCIE/NPx, GIAC...