From: Rik Guyler (rik@guyler.net)
Date: Wed Feb 27 2008 - 10:15:53 ARST
Jeffrey, take some minor comfort in knowing that there are others of us in
your position. I too am on track for my 3rd attempt this May. My previous
2 attempts were futile (and 4/5 years ago) as well. After failing those, I
had the same thoughts.
While I was able to stay away from the CCIE thing altogether for some time,
it gets in our blood. After about 3 years it started to gnaw away at me
knowing that I didn't meet this personal goal. Forget the salary increase
or work opportunities, it was a personal challenge that I hadn't been up to
and that was the worst thing. Guys like us, we don't give up, at least
without one hell of a fight.
I have a wife, 2 kids, demanding job, etc., etc. so I know all about the
time constraints. My wife is very supportive. My 4-year old daughter
doesn't understand when I have to study instead of playing with her but I
take comfort knowing it won't always be this way. My wife knows that I'll
never be able to be happy unless I either pass or give it my absolute
everything so she's with me as well.
If you are really okay with giving up and moving on then do so. I guarantee
your life will take an immediate upswing. You won't stay up long nights
working out some crazy scenario or reading about some obscure technology on
CCO. You won't have to worry about reading this and that all the time.
Just think, those 4 hours a day you spend now could be for sleeping, playing
with your kids or just hanging out with the wife or friends. But if you
stop now and you're not *really* ready to just give it up and walk away then
slowing down at this point is the worst mistake you can make. Believe me,
I'm talking from experience. I wasn't ready and now really regretting
getting out for so long. It was like starting all over again and it's been
rough.
Now I haven't passed just yet so I can't give you that perspective. However
I feel better about this next attempt then either of my previous ones. For
me the difference was changing my approach to my studies. For me the ticket
was to do a lot more book time, reading the various books, RFCs, blogs, etc.
There is so much out there now. My last attempts were based on a very high
percentage of lab time, which is good but just not enough. Now I'm getting
much more familiar with the technology behind the keystrokes. I'm also
going to take one of the popular boot camps. Doesn't matter which one but
having yet another perspective on things will only help. I find with every
vendor (I have materials of some flavor from 3 of them) has strength areas
and weakness areas.
And your comment about a weekend study partner, I'll have to disagree with.
Where else can you fire off an email at 3:00am and get a reply shortly
after? There may not be too many study partners up at that time but there's
almost always GS people online. I'm not anywhere near Maryland but if want
an email study buddy then I'll be happy to join in. ;-)
Rik
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Jeffrey Biggs
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:54 AM
To: 'Cisco certification'
Subject: Down for the count.....
Took the RS Lab for the 3rd time..no go.
I am getting to the point where all the time and money I am spending is out
weighing the reward here. Not to mention the family sacrifice that my wife
and kids are making to allow me the time to study. The frustration is
kicking in big time, I lab with Netmaster and IPExpert (this is not a knock
on them, they have been GREAT) but I am just missing something.
I have no one to study with because I live out in the middle of nowhere in
Northern Maryland, so I have to rely on what I read or do and have no one to
bounce it off of. I know I have the GS site, but that is not the same as
having a couple of study partners to work with on a topic over a weekend. I
am beginning to think that the "3 strikes you're out" rule is coming into
play.
I am not sure what else to do; is there anyone who can offer some assistance
here? Been in this position and made it? I just have had it with the long
drive down to RTP and back, spending $1500 (hotel cost and lab) for lunch
and getting pissed off at every return. I put in at least 4+ hours a day
studying and lab'ing. I have my own rack of equipment that I can access
from work, so when things are slow there, I am lab'ing.
Signed.
Frustrated to NO end.
JB
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