Writing while studying

RouteMyPacket

I think I am way too heavy on writing as I study. It's killing me

Am I the only one who begins reading a topic and start writing down random things to the point you think "@$#! this is a lot of writing"?

I think I am going to stop writing and just read for awhile.

someasiandude

I did that in my A+ and got overwhelmed lol.. now I read the chapter twice, once just straight reading then I jot notes the 2nd time

TurK-FX

If writing is too hard, either use book on a tablet and highlight, or use a real highlighter. Because marking important topics is important. It is the distinction between failing and passing the exam. You can quickly read thru your highlighted notes 2 days before the exam, and it will refresh your memory.

RouteMyPacket

lulz..I kept writing but not as much

mohamedshajid

Hmmm! In my point of view is writing is the main thing better than reading, When you reading something it would be irritating of course you maybe able to go to your bed sometimes. But when you're writing actually you'll able to see the differentiate than reading, Some how you do not need writing all the notes rather than highlighting notes of your resources. If you have something resources like CCNA 7th Edition by Todd lammle and it's in informal mode so you'll get very enjoy to reading and you can highlight it the important notes and wrote down and import to your smart phone which supported PDF Format. Actually i like to read when i'm transporting to somewhere by bus or any other vehicle. I'll always keep my notes with my Phone (Evernote helps me to write down my notes) Don't loose your 300$ by failing the exam in my country currency for the exam goes Rs 40,000/= think about it, Just change your self i was lazier than you before now i just scheduled everything and my daily tasks.

dover

Route,

I've always done the same thing. I think I retain information better when I can relate it to both a movement and a visual (kinesthetic and visual learning styles). You are right though, you can get carried away with writing WAY too much.

I've started doing what someasiandude does - start by reading an chapter straight through. Then I go back and type some notes (in MS OneNote) as I review the text chapter. If the topic has some structure I make some mind-map drawings showing the organization of key topics and how they relate to each other and other processes.

As I keep reviewing my notes and the text material I can eliminate some of the notes because I've either committed them to memory or thought they were more critical than they actually are. What I'm left with is a pretty concise study-guide with drawings that I can review right before the exam.

dover

Legacy User

I tried the typing notes but I don't get the same retention as I do when I write it. Writing all that sucks I prob had 50 pages of notes but it's great for cramming with instead of looking over a 600 pg book. I try to write whats important but in my own words so its easier to understand. Alot of the text is added fluff basically explaining the same thing in different ways.

Musixa

Hey, I did writing while studying when reviewing for CCNA, and I also got surprised that I think I wrote too much. But for me, it helped a lot because writing helps me understand better the topics that i am reading. And also, written notes are much easier to understand when you need to rescan the topics.

MrBrian

I make tons of old school hand written flash cards while I'm reading a book the first time through. I like to write it out and put things in my own words, because you can really catch yourself not knowing what you're talking about.. which will cause you to dig a little deeper. I'm considering using one of those online note keepers so I can review them even away from home, but for now just regular flash cards..

Illumanati

RouteMyPacket wrote: »

I think I am way too heavy on writing as I study. It's killing me

Am I the only one who begins reading a topic and start writing down random things to the point you think "@$#! this is a lot of writing"?

I think I am going to stop writing and just read for awhile.

Yes and No..yes I have been there and No you're not the first. You are not understanding or haven't been properly introduced to the technology or aren't getting the scope of it enough for anything you write to make sense. There is also some key experience I cannot put into works but best way to describe is I know what you need and it cannot be found on any post or in any book. PM me for the answer and that goes to anyone having this same phenom.

Legacy User

Talk about sounding mysterious.. Wonder if you're in cahoots with the real Illumanati

ch1vas

Hmm. I never wrote a lot... dunno but I'm better off just reading it and than practicing it hands on. All I note down are tables.
But yeah, right now I'm at a point where I'd love to take all my stuff and burn it, and go on with my life without the ccna.

Ismaeljrp

It all depends, to me, if it is more theory, than yeah I like to take notes preferably create flash cards with them, like for terminology. But if it is more practical, then I just lab a bunch of times, it helps grasping the concept better than just reading, like right now I've been reading on configuring NAT and DHCP and can't wait to config it, cuz only then will it really stick in my brain and I'll learn much more.

goldenlight

Learning how to type help cure that for me . My fingers hurt when I write too long. I can literally types pages upon pages without my fingers hurting. Back in the days before the word processor, my fingers would hurt at about half of the page writing old school.

Using the Net Academy. More Expensive route. Just cut and paste pictures and text all right into Microsoft OneNote. Can even search for previous topics learned.

RouteMyPacket

FYI

This has to do with studying in general, not CCNA, MCSE, VCP related. Simple things you do when studying. Writing for me is better for retention but the aim of this post was to say "writing so much sucks sometimes"

networker050184

I tried taking notes while studying for a while and it just wasn't working for me. I ended up with either so much verbosity I might as well just reread the book or so little detail that the notes were pretty useless.

halaakajan

How about making a virtual friend and explaining to him what you read? is that a good idea?

networker050184

I think it is a great idea halaakjan. Being able to speak something in depth definitely ensures you have a solid understanding.