Struggling...

spongeym

Hi Guys,

I'm really struggling with my studying.

I've spent a lot money on kit for a lab, books, I even did a 2 day course to give me that kick up the backside.

I think I'm finding the reading hard in that I'm really not a keen book person.

Has anyone studied successfully for the CCNA using purely CBT and using books only as a point of ref when things don't stick in?

Any advice on studying welcome!!

YFZblu

The CBTnuggets for CCNA is great material. Actually it's better than great. That being said, it is not granular enough to get you through the CCNA.

Typically what I would do is watch a CBTnuggets video to 'break the ice' on a topic, and then immediatley read the corresponding chapter to that topic in the book. If it didn't sink in, I'd repeat. In the end, the books need to be your primary study material. Definitely take notes / note cards to carry around with you and review for those times when you have a few spare minutes.

I started CCNA pretty much from ground zero, and it took me a while. It actually took me about 9 months and I failed ICND2 twice during that time. Life gets in the way, you get burnt out, etc etc. Just keep pushing and do what you can...eventually things sink in.

Good luck

veritas_libertas

You will find that reading books/e-books is simply a part of being in IT. That being said, you can also consider Chris Bryant's CCNA videos on uDemy. I found them to be a great refresher or a way to begin a new subject. They are not expensive and you can download them to your digital device of choice:

https://www.udemy.com/ccna-on-demand-video-boot-camp/

bbarrick

Didn't someone recently post that they just passed ICND1 without a book? I don't know enough to provide an opinion at this point as I'm still on Part I of Odom's 100-101. I've learned a lot just from it. His chapters are only about 22 pages each and the DVD has some useful tools as well.

mworwell

I agree about the Chris Bryant videos. They can be a bit boring, but he does a great job of explaining things. His youtube channel has alot of great stuff too.

krjay

You're going to need to be able to read books in my opinion. One thing that helped me when I had a ton of distractions at work and home was going to my old college library when I wanted to get a study session in. Something about sitting in the same spot in that library for years just made something click in my head that it's time to study. Still works now that I'm done with the degree any studying for certs.

Cubuntu28

I think you're going to need to read the books (I personally had to read them multiple times). I also think if you dont passionately enjoy reading about Cisco technology you will have a really tough time staying motivated. Ive read multiple books in my studies for the CCNA, but mainly use Lammel's book and Odom's book. I would say start with Lammel's book first since it reads very easily. I personally feel that videos do not go deep enough into the material (jmho). If you really like videos, I recommend DansCourses on youtube, as a supplementary tool.

Good luck,

spongeym

Thanks for the advice guys. The thing is, I can certainly read books, done a fair few Voice related bits, just haven't found a Cisco book that I can really get into. I think what I will try doing is a bit of the CBT/Trainsignal stuff followed up with some reading to really bed it in.

Fingers crossed I'll sink in with a bit of hands on work as well.

JeanM

You just need to make a schedule and stick to it. No way around it, cbt nuggets and/or trainsignal does not cover all the details you will pick up from the books to pass. Now, if you had years of experience then it's another story.

silverp1

I didn't really read a book cover-to-cover, but I did have to use one for reference. For the most part, I learned most of the concepts through Trainsignal and CBT Nuggets videos, and then skimmed through the Odom book looking for areas that were not mentioned in either video series, reading these sections and then moving on. Then I would do labs and mull the information over for a day or so and repeat areas that were still not clear.

If you are reading Odom, I agree with you it is pretty heavy and dry. I've seen some folks mention the Lammel books as a better alternative.

fluffymom

Hi,

You stated you have a lab also. Are you doing the lab that matches up with the theory you are reading?

Here are my study tips...

In my opinion, you need five things to have a kick butt self study setup...1) a good CCNA study guide(Sybex, Odem, Cisco Press, Bryant are all good), 2) a lab, 3) a real lab workbook as the labs in the CCNA books that just tell you to do a very basic setup are not all that great(Certificationkits has a good one), 4) a practice test program to help you understand what concepts you are not quite catching(Transcender is my fav) and a CBT DVD so you can hear someone give you the theory too(CBTNuggets and Bryant have really good ones).

I hope that helps

Dee

DoubleNNs

I see free notes on Certificationkits, but I don't see a Lab Workbook.

pert

I've never found any book interesting to be honest. However, I've done 99% of all my learning off books. I don't see how you could get very far if you find learning from books impossible, but I'm sure some people do it. I know for a fact though that there are many tests where its impossible to pass without book study. You can learn how to "do" anything through hands on, but learning max size of tables, different timer values, ad values, LSA types, etc takes book study.

goldenlight

Read book taking notes then Watch CBtnuggets. Works for me?

pamccabe

Tend to agree with the few that think reading is essential - sorry to say. I've asked for help here, on Cisco network academy, Cisco IRC channels... countless places. Even at work to the networking team, the answer I get most is to research and read it myself. IT is to the point where I dig for my own questions before asking. I read Cisco's support site constantly, order books off amazon about packet analysis and wireshark, read RFCs... I have books all around me. I understand if some material isn't written in a manner that is effective to your learning style. However, reading and research is hand in hand and you have to accept it if you want to be successful. Don't take this post personally, just my opinion, which in the grand scheme of things, means nothing.