Procrastination

GRRR, I truly despise my job, but I keep putting off my certification exam reviews! whenever I am at work, CompTIA and CCENT is all I think about then I get home and i dont do jack **** lol.

I am 27 yrs old, just enrolled myself to our local community college for an AS in Computer networking (starts this coming fall). I downloaded all of prof meyer's A+ vids in my ipad and listen to em every now and then at work for the past 3-4 months. I want to get A+ in less than 2 months, should I just go ahead and schedule the exam now? u know what they say "pressure makes diamonds" got that from the A+ all in one book Lol!)

sorry, just need to vent.. cant seem to focus on my goal!

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Comments

DevilWAH

Booking the exam will help, but only if its want you want to do.

the question is why do you turn of when you get home, and what do you do rather that study? If you want to get certified you have to accept that other things will have to take a lower priority, there will be less time for sitting around watching TV, Gaming, partying...

The A+ is just the start, as you move up the certs expect to spend an average or maybe 2 hours + a night studying. Its good to get in to the habit ASAP.

Iristheangel

Finding motivation when you're staring at a 800 page study guide can be intimidating. I would also like to recommend setting little goals. Instead of looking at the intimidatingly large books or thinking about how much you have to study, just break it down. Say to yourself "Ok, The second I get home I am going to read just one chapter a night." Stick to it. If you end up reading more, great. If not, you're still making progress towards your goals.

FloOz

the best way to get to studying is to schedule your exam and then you will be forced to study.

Hypntick

I always schedule my tests before starting to study. Helps to motivate and gives me a hard deadline to hit. I also agree with Iris on setting smaller goals, a chapter a night is not unreasonable in most cases. Good luck on the studies!

someasiandude

Thanks for the replies guys

I like he setting smaller goals tip and im definitely gonna do more than 1 chapter a night lol.

Any studying tips? been out of school for so long, do u read everything first them write notes afterwards or do u take notes while reading? (yes it is a serious question lol)

Hypntick

I actually do not take notes, my learning style doesn't work well with it. I generally read the book, followed by watching whatever video/CBT I have available, then I do a lot of hands on lab stuff. Once i've finished those three things up, i'll skim the book once more, looking for chapter highlights and definitions for a review, then practice test for a couple of days, depending on what practice tests I have available (book, selftest, transcender, etc.) and go sit the exam. It's worked out pretty well for me, although everyone studies differently.

radix

I'm taking down notes while reading specially the ones that are hard to understand with that ill know which terms or parts to read again

gadav478

Sometimes I procrastinate when first starting a book. So I start reading on weekends. This gives me time to read a few chapters so that my interest is peeked. This then motivates me to get more reading done over time, maybe at work or at home. Just my two cents.

NotHackingYou

When I have trouble with motivation I remember this - Achievement is the result of continuous effort.

Iristheangel

If you're going for a CompTIA exam, take a little bit of notes but you don't have to be as serious about it. CompTIAs are general non-vendor specific exams so it's mostly just a bunch of memorization (I.e. Port numbers for N+, sockets/ram types/etc for A+, etc) and knowing general tips.

If you're going for the CCENT or any vendor specific exam, take lots of notes and lab. For me, I don't even take notes for the purpose of studying later. I just find it easier to remember key details when I stop and force myself to write them down. Also, if you want to come out of a vendor exam with working knowledge, you need to lab. GNS3 is a good cheap solution for a Cisco lab if you can't afford to buy some switches and routers. CCENT covers most of what you learn in the Network+ exam as well as taking you through the simple commands such as setting passwords, configuring interfaces, show commands, etc. You'll be given sim questions during the exam so it's important to be able to know how to navigate through Cisco IOS. If you're using the Wendell Odom book, you'll probably get 4-5 chapters in before you need to start labbing but once it starts giving you IOS commands, make sure you integrate labbing in with your studying.

Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions you might have along the way.

sratakhin

Here is an advice that often helps me: start reading the book and tell yourself that you'll put it away if you don't feel like reading. If you are really interested in the material, you'll keep reading and won't close the book for a long time

And yes, turn off the Internet.

someasiandude

Thank u all

Anyone knw if i schedule my A+ 701 say aug 25-29 then 802 comes out aug. 30... does that mean i hve to take the 802? read its coming out soon, messer also expects it end of aug.. he said it on his fb page

pumbaa_g

Try starting with something simpler to get your confidence. Once you clear things should be easier

kremit

someasiandude wrote: »

GRRR, I truly despise my job, but I keep putting off my certification exam reviews! whenever I am at work, CompTIA and CCENT is all I think about then I get home and i dont do jack **** lol.

I am 27 yrs old, just enrolled myself to our local community college for an AS in Computer networking (starts this coming fall). I downloaded all of prof meyer's A+ vids in my ipad and listen to em every now and then at work for the past 3-4 months. I want to get A+ in less than 2 months, should I just go ahead and schedule the exam now? u know what they say "pressure makes diamonds" got that from the A+ all in one book Lol!)

sorry, just need to vent.. cant seem to focus on my goal!

I am in the same procrastination boat. I should be ready to take my ccna by now, but im still at the halfway point in the book. I think my problem is doubt floats in my head. It's saying, what's the point, you're weird, no one will give you a job. You are enlisting anyway, why bother. But I know regardless if I do or not enlist it will benefit my career.

onesaint

@someasiandude:

Schedule some time away from home for a few days. Go to a quiet place and start studying. Once you've begun you'll get more used to focusing. Going home may provide for too many distractions. Until you take the plunge and get used to the exam study routine, taking those distractions away will allow you to focus and push forward.

Also, set small goals (like Iris mentioned). It helps to make for attainable achievements.

NoTime2Burn

My opinion... build yourself a computer from scratch. Doesn't need to be expensive at all, heck if you can find some really old P4 components, it would even help. Then, once it's working, have a friend screw it up and have you figure out how to fix it. There's no experience like doing it.

If you are a procrastinator in general, then I'd definitely "draw the line in the sand" and schedule the test.

Devilry

I suppose you could schedule the exam, but you really should work internally to better yourself and focus more.. it can be hard but you want to make sure you can focus when it is the best thing for you.

Roguetadhg

I forced myself to study by scheduling a test. The good thing about this is that even if you aren't ready by the end of the mark - life does get in the way. Then you can always reschedule. But you can't get the money back. Either way, you spent the money, might as well sit the test and give it a good go.

For me, It's the kick in the butt I need to get into study mode. There's always something that needs to be done. Spending the money forces the priorities to change for me.

someasiandude

Scheduling it tonight.. 3 weeks from now for 701 then a week later for 702!

last january my new years resolution was to get the comptia triad certs A+, Net+ and Sec+ -- i dont think thats gonna happen now lol, but Im gonna make it my mission to get at least A+ and Net+.

Roguetadhg

You don't want to have your mind bogged down with memorizing two sets of information. If you focus on one test, it goes smoother and faster. You don't want to rush through one cert (possibly fail) because you have another test to study and it's on your shoulder. Just have the discipline to pay for another test when you pass. One step at a time

kohr-ah

Like the others said I just tell myself for books I study or labs I will go "Ok one chapter tonight" or if the chapters are about 100 pages long I will do Lessons 1 and 2 out of 4. The next day I do as a lab day. So I will practice what I learned and then mess around a bit to see what I can break fix and learn. Following day back to reading, etc etc etc. (Though sometimes it takes a little push to get there)

On the test week the day before the exam I don't study at all. I figure if I don't know it at this point I don't know it at all and I make that a relax night to let my brain just be calm for the test tomorrow. Be it watch a movie or just play a few rounds on a video game. Anything to keep the mind at ease.

Zorodzai

I am also an unfortunate victim of procrastination. Started back in the day of the Windows 2000 certifications, I kept putting off writing the exams to become an MCSA

.

Now I am working mostly on SQL Server and I have been putting off doing my MCITP Database Administrator path exams since SQL 2005. I have decided to do the MySQL certified associate exam just to get myself into exam taking mode (I believe its easier than the MS 70-433 exam), have scheduled for end of July then can rey get back on track and do the two exams required for MCITP 2008 database admin by end of year....

forestgiant

My only simple strategy is asking myself at least once every hour at work: WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF MY TIME, RIGHT NOW? The honest answer to that question will solve all your procrastination issues.

demonfurbie

i was gonna post some good advice ... but meh ill do it next week some time

onesaint

@demonfurbie LOL

@forestgiant When I'm in the car listening to the radio I get this feeling like I should be doing something to further my education or career. Asking myself constantly "What is the most effective use of my time right now" has lead to compulsive time utilization.

demonfurbie

i use to listen to mp3s of school work in the car but ive learned you do have to unwind some time

onesaint

I find unwinding forces it's way in by means of Netflix and what not. Lately it's been watching Trueblood with the wife and Luther.

petedude

Study overkill can teach you little time gathering tricks, though. You might find new time slots for study to squeeze in that you hadn't found earlier. Some of those little study breaks are good even when you're not in a crunch, as they might save having to schedule long study periods later.

To the OP-- you might also think in terms of content goals for your study (e.g. "this week I want to cover IP addressing") rather than having certain chapter # or page # goals. That helps make it a little less tedious, and helps make it feel more like a real learning effort.

manny355

I wouldn't recommend just scheduling the test...that can lead to wasted bucks...believe me I know.

I have a big...big problem with procrastination...what i've found that works for me is not being at home...so for instance if I take the last 1 hour or so at work and start studying then...I get alot more done and when it comes time to leave...I find myself wanting to stay later to study some more...because I absolutely know that when I get him...ps3 = distraction....internet = distraction....recorded dvr shows = distraction...heck I even found myself wanting to clean the bathroom just to keep from studying...(that was an interesting mental conversation...and when I realized what I was talking myself into doing...I had to laugh).

So I would say...schedule some time to leave the house...go some place like a library...or a quite room at work (if that is allowed) and then study for a few hours there...

pizzaboy

manny355 wrote: »

...heck I even found myself wanting to clean the bathroom just to keep from studying...(that was an interesting mental conversation...and when I realized what I was talking myself into doing...I had to laugh)...

That was too funny.