I literally block out sections of time in my Google calendar that I've committed to studying/coursework. That way when a friend asks if I'm free next Thursday night, I can pull out my smart phone, glance at my calendar, and already have the time set aside to study. Making personal plans AROUND my study schedule works great. Then it's not neglected. I've also learned to take a bit of time right at the start of each course to look over the Pacing Guide (descriptions can be found in Mike's "Using the Course of Study" post above). I'll look at what the Pacing Guide suggests (as an average pace), and I'll challenge myself by cutting that time in half. So if Weeks 1 & 2 are now all week 1 for me, how many total chapters do I need to read? How long is each chapter? How many labs or other assignments do I need to complete that week as well? Then I'll actually put into my calendar each of those reading and lab assignments based on how much time I think I'll need to complete them. I've noticed that when I really push the envelope and challenge myself to get it done twice as fast, even if I don't actually get it done in one week, I almost ALWAYS complete the work in less than two weeks - so I'm STILL making better time than the Pacing Guide. Ultimately, I find when I challenge myself by making it a game and see how much I can get done, how many "points" I can rack up "beating the clock", the more fun it is to keep going. Using this challenge/game method, I recently studied for and passed the CompTIA Security+ course in only 2 weeks!! I put the rest of my life on hold to do it, but I did do it. Challenge yourself and prove to yourself the awesome that you are capable of!
I literally block out sections of time in my Google calendar that I've committed to studying/coursework. That way when a friend asks if I'm free next Thursday night, I can pull out my smart phone, glance at my calendar, and already have the time set aside to study. Making personal plans AROUND my study schedule works great. Then it's not neglected.
ReplyDeleteI've also learned to take a bit of time right at the start of each course to look over the Pacing Guide (descriptions can be found in Mike's "Using the Course of Study" post above). I'll look at what the Pacing Guide suggests (as an average pace), and I'll challenge myself by cutting that time in half. So if Weeks 1 & 2 are now all week 1 for me, how many total chapters do I need to read? How long is each chapter? How many labs or other assignments do I need to complete that week as well? Then I'll actually put into my calendar each of those reading and lab assignments based on how much time I think I'll need to complete them.
I've noticed that when I really push the envelope and challenge myself to get it done twice as fast, even if I don't actually get it done in one week, I almost ALWAYS complete the work in less than two weeks - so I'm STILL making better time than the Pacing Guide.
Ultimately, I find when I challenge myself by making it a game and see how much I can get done, how many "points" I can rack up "beating the clock", the more fun it is to keep going. Using this challenge/game method, I recently studied for and passed the CompTIA Security+ course in only 2 weeks!! I put the rest of my life on hold to do it, but I did do it.
Challenge yourself and prove to yourself the awesome that you are capable of!