Motivation to start studying

Hi All

Just wanted to see what some of you use to get motivated to start studying.

I got around 1/2 way through studying for the MS 70-410 and my motivation was that I wanted a different job and was going to use the certs to prove my worth. It turns out my experience and personality was enough to get me a Sys admins job elsewhere and then I stopped studying to learn all the new parts of my new job. I've just not started it back up, the 2nd shot offer has made me want to give it another crack but just making that first start seems to be the pain. By time I finish work and pick up my 2 young children see them after work and put them to bed I struggle to feel like doing anything.

I've put myself of the waiting list for the Stanley CC VMware course so once that comes I won't have a choice but to do it and then on to the VMware exam. In the mean time I wanted to get at least one MS exam done. Just wondered if anyone else has the same issues.

I know it's only myself that can kick myself up the ass and start again!

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Comments

urstuffplz1

Hi mate,

I'm precisely the same and slightly struggling for motivation.

I've booked the exam for the 26th of this month, so between now and then I've got to prepare as well as start university on the 15th of September.

I see that you're from the UK. Would you be up for maybe Skype in the evenings for an hour or 2 periodically and helping each other?

Stephen

thomas_

Pay for the exam and schedule it.

White Wizard

Time to start questioning your goals and motives.

This motivation shiznick gets old. Your desire to obtain or achieve something should be all you need. If you need motivation to better yourself and advance your career, your either lazy ( we are all at times ) or you need to reassess your life goals.

Fulcrum45

thomas_ wrote: »

Pay for the exam and schedule it.

^ This right here is what gets me motivated. I've scheduled my Security+ exam in 3 weeks. I don't plan on spending $300.00 for a low score

NetworkNewb

thomas_ wrote: »

Pay for the exam and schedule it.

Yep, once you throw down a lot of your hard earned money it makes it hard not to take it seriously!

DoubleNNs

* Coffee.
* Just plugging away at it all-out for a few days, with a scheduled end in sight, knowing that you'll be able to stop after that date comes.
Finding personal/professional projects that interest you and you can apply the info towards.

* I've wanted to learn Python for over a year now. It's been on my list for FOREVER. I keep starting, getting somewhat deep into it, dropping it and forgetting all that I've learned, requiring me to start back off at "Hello World!" when I pick it back up.

I didn't know shell scripting at all, but knew it was used extensively at my last job - although completely outside of the scope of my position. I envisioned a few scripts I wanted to make that would benefit the department/business and put Python aside to learn bash shell scripting. I flew threw 3 entire books, cover to cover, and practiced extensively. Simply the ability to readily apply the knowledge and immediately see the ROI was enough to motivate me. Learning bash also helped me to get a new position and a bump up in pay.
To this day, I still don't know Python. I'm now listing out a bunch of projects at work and for fun that would need Python to complete successfully.

d4nz1g

Born in a crappy country and try to achieve some qualification to have a chance of getting out of there.

nascar_paul

Yea, I've scheduled the 70-411 for the 18th of the month. I'm feeling alright, but I'm going to start quizzing and testing out my ability to puzzle out those test questions. No doubt that for me scheduling the test is what gets me on the move. No question: you've got THIS LONG and not a SECOND LONGER. Get to work!

bpenn

I started my journey because I wanted my wife and child to have more in life. I started school two days ago to finish my degree and I passed multiple certs this year. It is hard sometimes, but you need to set a schedule. Study on the weekdays and take weekends off or study 3 days a week and put 4-5 hours down in one sitting. Whatever works for you.

I am the sole breadwinner in my family so our success rests on my shoulders. I don't have time to sit idle.

SpetsRepair

I started studying and learning after i was tired of doing the same thing and not getting anywhere. These certs and the knowledge you get from them teach you a lot more than just whats on the questions.

Tongy

thomas_ wrote: »

Pay for the exam and schedule it.

Exactly right. Nothing motivates you more than the thought of explaining to people why you wasted $€¥£ because of (insert excuse here).

Book the test, take the test, pass the test..... And drink!

barberj66

Quite interesting to see other peoples take on it. I think I should definately just book the exam then there is a definate end date to aim for i think not having that end date gives me too many excuses to put it off. Like White Wizard says its probably the laziness in me, need to just get it done and want to be certified and use that as the motivation.

I'll check the schedule and book it for a month or so in advance and just do it.

culpano

It's very hard work especially when there is so much stuff to learn and then you get test questions on stuff you've never heard of. Motivation is walking out of the exam with a pass and the feeling you get. My last Microsoft cert was Implementing TCP/IP on Windows NT4 back in 1998. I have 70-687 booked for Sept 18th and 70-688 for Oct 30th. I can't believe people can do all this around college, work, kids etc ! I have none of that and can study all day every day but I'm still struggling. Motivation should be easy if it's something you enjoy doing. If the subject is something you do not like then it's almost impossible to get motivated.