Hard to stay motivated

Discussion in 'The Lounge - Off Topic' started by JK2447, Aug 8, 2009.

  1. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi All,

    I'm studying my ICND1 Cisco book this morning and find I'm struggling to stay motivated. I haven't had a break for months and I think its catching up with me. Has anyone got any tips for me that help you stay motivated?

    I think getting hammered tonight is a must but wondered if you lot feel like jacking all the certs in from time to time?

    Right now I'm thinking, who cares about certs, experience is King anyway. I know its best to have both but I'm getting fed up chasing bits of paper. I can't wait until I can just go back to playing with stuff like I have done the last 10 years. Me and my big ideas to get my certs done in '09! :rolleyes:

    Jim
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  2. UKDarkstar
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    UKDarkstar Terabyte Poster

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    Well you have been going at a fair old pace m8 ! :biggrin

    Time for a break maybe ? How about taking a week off from studying altogether ?

    Other than that, I'd suggest going through the CBT vids completley. One reason I'm not doing the split exam route is that it just seems to make more sense taking it all together.
     
    Certifications: BA (Hons), MBCS, CITP, MInstLM, ITIL v3 Fdn, PTLLS, CELTA
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  3. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Yeah suppose I have haven't I. I haven't got any concept of time since we had our first baby in March so everythings been a blur to be honest.

    That last course has finished me off I think. I'll do a few days next week, maybe 10 hours something like that then I'm 30 the week after so off all that week. Going to Dublin so won't touch a computer for a week, be a welcome break.

    **Edit: I wish I'd opted for the 1 Cisco exam myself now. Me and the fella in Prometric are on 1st name terms!
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  4. PPD2387

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    I can see where you are coming from with regards to just taking the single CCNA exam and then it is out of the way, however, I feel that by studying ICND 1 & 2 separately I have been able to take more of the information in. There is a lot of studying to do for CCNA and by splitting it up I feel this is beneficial as you're not jumping straight in at the deep end if you don't want to.

    Jim - I have experienced what you are going through several times. My advice is try not to worry about it. There is no point forcing yourself to study as you won't take in anything you're reading or watching. Come back to it when you feel ready - there's no rush.
     
  5. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Thanks mate. I went for the 2 exam way because I thought I'd take more in that way. I think I'll take a break from certs for a few weeks, maybe my laptop in general and have more family time. Hopefully I'll be recharged and back up for it again.

    Thanks to everyone who's helped me on here but I think I'll follow GBL's lead and take a bit of time off from it all. Jim
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  6. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Mate, I did the same, when I finished the MCSE, I took just under a month off, just chillin'.

    When you get to a point when its a continual 'ball ache' to study you know you need a rest.

    I actually brought the CCNA book originally, as I was going to do the commsupport CCNA course.

    However, I then started the new jobbie, so I turned to the CCENT then the CCNA, as I knew I wouldn't have the time to crack the CCNA out in one hit.


    I can only echo the words of Pete Grant, I feel I have leanrt ALOT more this way and have really enjoyed the longer route.

    My advise for Studying the CCENT is to do it backwards (well backwards for me), watch the CBT Nugget first then read the Chapter in the book.

    Anways mate, have a few beers for me in Dublin :D
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  7. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    I know what you mean mate, this is the longest I have gone without taking an exam since I joined this forum.

    I pick up the books from time to time but to be honest I am taking a short break from it all. I was getting a bit bogged down using powershell for Exchange 2007 so I kinda drifted away from studying all together. I am using it now at work (good timing) so I will probably get stuck into the books again shortly.

    Take a break and have a beer or 10 tonight and then regroup. :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
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  8. danielno8

    danielno8 Gigabyte Poster

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    everyone needs a break! come hoem from work and don't know what you will be doing, time to just chillllllll
     
    Certifications: CCENT, CCNA
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  9. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Thanks very much for your support/advice fellas. I'll probably feel alright after a weekend on the ale. I'm finding the CCNA stuff harder than most of my MS studies, has anyone else found this?
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  10. PPD2387

    PPD2387 Byte Poster

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    It's difficult for me to say which is more difficult, although I will say I'm enjoying the CCNA studying much more than any of my Microsoft studying. I think this is due to the fact that I simply find it more interesting!
     
  11. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Tell me about it mate!

    Work want me to go on a course or two to get my Exchange 2007 and MCITP: EA due to lots of clients upgrading to Server 2008 and Exchange 2007.

    I won't be directly involved with the upgrades or any project work (yet) but I do use and support Server 2008 and Exchange 2007 and have had no real issues using my 2003 knowledge.

    Going to tell them on Monday, that I want to finish my CCENT/CCNA, then I might consider an MS course, but want to know what alternatives are available to me (hoping they might say VMware)

    I feel like I'm all MS'd up at the moment :D
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  12. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    I found it alot harder to get into, but again that is because it is alot less familiar.

    Anways wheres the Green gone mate?
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  13. Len

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    :cracking <---- Are you motivated now?
     
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  14. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    I have got THE mother of all hang overs today! I dunno mate, GBL just posted on here he won't be on CF for a month like
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  15. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Sounds like a good night then!

    I ended up at a stag "doo" last night, I was waaaaaaaaasted! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  16. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Sounds like you had a monster night mate!

    I meant the Green as in a Premium Member :D
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  17. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Sorted the green out, just been so busy lately.

    Right now for my studying. I've decided I'm going to stop being a wimp and that I'm ready to get back into demon study mode :twisted: (A mad weekend on the ale sorted my head out).

    ICND1 start of September and 293 at some point. I attended the official 293 course so I'm just skimming the book you get from that and finding it fairly straight forward (famous last words!).

    Thanks for the support/advice guys. Feel up for it again now, 30 hours a week COME ON! :twisted:

    Jim
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  18. Meshan

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    I find if I study at home I get tempted by Jeremy Kyle and other such TV delights

    I have to study at the local library, which is fine until I need a fag break then I have to pack the lappy up and take it outside.
     
    Certifications: HCIMA, BIIAM, BSc (Hons),
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  19. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    Jeremy Kyle???

    There's motivation enough to study, get it done before his mug appears on the screen :twisted:
     
    Certifications: SIA DS Licence
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  20. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Why? So you'd have to study TWICE as much, all at once, with no cost savings? The two exams cost as much together as the one-exam CCNA option does. For those reasons, I'd highly recommend the two-exam CCNA option.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
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