Study Tactics Episode 4 (With Girard Kavelines)
Welcome to another study tactics episode. In this new episode, I had the opportunity of having Girard Kavelines share his study tactics story with me. Born in Pennsylvania, USA, Girard currently works in the Health space as an IT specialist.
While on his journey, Girard is giving back to the CCNA community by leveraging The Art of Network Engineering discord server to help me and other CCNA candidates with our studies: “I started the CCNA voice in a study group so we could all meet up every Thursday to discuss specific topic areas things people may be struggling in, etc” he tells me over our Discord chat. I find him an interesting person to interview on this series.
What study tactics do you use while learning a new technology?
Girard: So, for me, it’s a combination of a few different things!I always pull the exam blueprint that way I have the topics right in front of me.Is I use a ton of online resources such as CBT Nuggets, David Bombal to do chapter reviews. Finally, I’ll lab the concepts on my home lab to apply what I’m working on.
Do you feel pulling this exam blueprint enable you not to read beyond what’s on the exam?
Girard: No, I felt it gives a distinct outline as to what to expect. For example, I feel Cisco outlines pretty well what topics will be on their exams. Then through some research you know you can always get a sense of some topics they may focus on more than others.
What kind of research?
Girard: That’s incredible man, so for example in the it’s all about the journey discord it’s just a pool of knowledge from IT professionals all over that through their experiences give me insight into things to research further when taking an exam.
So if they focus a little more on a specific area such as network fundamentals or security I know to incorporate that into my study game plan lol.
I started the CCNA voice in a study group so we could all meet up every Thursday to discuss specific topic areas things people may be struggling in, etc.
Do you choose to incorporate a topic into your study game plan because you feel you do not understand it enough when it was been discussed? Or you just felt incorporating it helps for spaced repetition since there was a conversation about the topic that week?
Girard: Ohh yeah! I incorporate because I feel I may not know that area well enough or it’s a weak spot for me that I can definitely wanna improve on.
Are you much of a note-taker?
Girard: I am here and there when it comes to studying. I take notes but I absorb it more through hands-on labbing.
What are some things you’ve found useful in preparing for the CCNA?
So, two things have stood out so far:
To indulge in a conversation where I am trying to explain the answer to a question that someone has asked about the CCNA. I’m mostly interested in topics that I’m sure I’ve read before. This active conversation has helped me to develop my recall abilities.
Interviewing folks I admire in the IT community, to understand what works for them. So, I can take from these experiences, try out what works for me and maybe improve on them.
Girard: That’s incredible man.
I wanted to ask you, How are your studies currently going?
Just a few days ago, I began my CCNA journey again after rounding up with my college exams. I’m back on the grind, and I must say it has been fun!
Starting this study tactics series has impacted my study habits in a lot of ways.
For example, reading about the study stories from you professionals has made me use much of my intuition when labbing. It made me more relaxed since I know that, “hey! John, Deirra, or JT, uses either this approach or that approach.”
Girard: What are you looking to do after the CCNA?
After my CCNA, yo!, I’ll resume my Python grind. JT (the last engineer I interviewed), recommended the “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” book to me some time ago. That book has made Python easy for me.
I stopped studying Python until I passed the CCNA, so I will jump back into it after getting that CCNA.
While learning Python I will also be studying Johns’ (the first engineer I interviewed) Automate Your Network book. He recently sent me a copy, and the book looks so interesting.
Girard: What are some other certs you’re looking at?
The DEVASC certification. I love automation a lot!!
Girard: They say great minds think alike lol! I’m the same def want to do DevNet as well I love everything about automation the simplicity lol!
I also want to do CCDE this year I love design as well.
Design is so cool!! I know in the long run, I’ll go for it. I also heard they started a new design track.
Girard: Yup! November of this year goes live I’m pumped!