How do you keep things fresh?

Lately I have been doing a review of some MCSE/MCTS/MCITP material for certs I've already attained. I've lost so much knowledge... How do you guys keep the information fresh. A lot of the stuff that certs include we don't use on a daily basis, but it's still important to at least be able to discuss it intelligently during an interview, for example.

So what do you do to refresh?

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Comments

dynamik

Say "screw it" and move on to bigger and better things

Too be honest, I'm a lot less worried about it than I used to be. I'm more concerned with doing the tasks I normally do well and knowing where to get answers for everything else. The thing I like about going after certs is that it broadens my knowledge and makes me aware of things I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to. YMMV, but I really don't feel a need to know every topic like the back of my hand.

Having said that, I find that just doing something like 10 random Transcender questions a day helps keeps things fresh. Just be consistent with small amounts of review, and you should be set.

Psoasman

I read through some of my old labs during the week. You are right about losing some knowledge you don't use regularly. Sometimes reading through the chapter summaries is a good way for me to refresh my memory.

Hyper-Me

You can't remember every detail.

What I find though is that if I need to reference say 10 facts about a certain technology...i know 6-7 of them immediately from my past studies and because of those studies I know how to quickly reference the last few if need be.

I tend to remember things quite well, but my memory is fading as I get older (and im not that old) lol.

ColbyG

I have a horrible memory, lol. I've accepted it. I remember the things I work with daily and basically forget the rest. The upside is that once you understand it, it's easy to relearn. Grasping the fundamentals is what matters, IMO.

jamesleecoleman

It depends on how long it's been. If I started to talk to someone about A+ material sometime soon then the material I've learned will come back to me. I should go work at Best Buy so I can try to keep up with the material. Usually I'll work on the next step so for example. I have the Network+ certification and I'm currently working on my CCENT/CCNA certification. There is alot of overlap but there are a few things that aren't covered in the CCNA material from the Network+ material and vice versa. If there isn't a next step then I try to work with the technology.

mikedisd2

RobertKaucher wrote: »

but it's still important to at least be able to discuss it intelligently during an interview

While preparing for my last interview, it turned out I'd forgotten alot of Active Directory concepts. Google filled in a few of the blanks.

Likewise, I recently had to do some work involving forest trusts. Googling was a really fresh reminder.