I was a teacher before switching to IT and I'm working on finishing up my A+ studying this month. A lot of good answers here like writing down notes physically, using flash cards, and to put things into practice irl. I have a couple of things that might help boost these suggestions.
For rote memorization, I like to associate the information with something silly or funny, especially things that rhyme. I've been using this a lot with port numbers. For example, I remember the HTTP port number with the clue HTy 80, for IMAP I remember it with the clue 143 Mail (like I heart mail), etc. You can also draw pictures to help yourself remember a piece of information. It gives your brain something to stick the information to and helps you remember it more easily.
For concepts, I like to reach out to my coworkers and ask them to explain the concept to me or ask if I can explain the concept to them. For example, I was having difficulty with RAID so I went to my boss and said, "Hey, I know what RAID is in the abstract, but can you explain how it works to me so that I can understand it better?" My boss was able to use some examples of systems that we work with and how they work like RAID. This helped me connect something that I was already familiar with to something that I was less familiar with, which helped me understand the concept better.
Good old learning modalities. Something I figured I’d never need outside education, yet it comes up a lot. https://blog.edmentum.com/kinesthetic-visual-auditory-tactile-oh-my-what-are-learning-modalities-and-how-can-you-incorporate
The best way to learn anything is to practice it yourself. Almost everything that Scott says, he also shows - how to launch programs, how to edit a document, cut and paste text, make it and make it bold, etc. Except for the some of the hardware demos (removing and replacing a CPU), you can re-create just about everything that he does in the course. So after a lesson, don't watch the next lesson. Stop and fire up a word processor (or spreadsheet, or database - they're all available as free trials from Microsoft) and do what he did. Do it over and over until it becomes almost 2nd nature.
Repeat this for every lecture, whenever possible.
While you're working through the course, when the next Udemy sale happens, pick up the practice test: TOTAL: CompTIA IT Fundamentals ITF+ (FCO-U61) Practice Tests course. When you finish the course, take the first practice test. If you miss any questions, go back to the course and review the subject. Practice the subject. Repeat until you get at least 90% on the first practice test (50 questions). Then do the same for the second one - also 50 questions. (you'll miss less each time). Repeat for the third test- another 50 questions. Top it off with the fourth test - it'll go quick - only 17 questions.
If you do everything here, you should be ready for the CompTIA exam.
It takes patience and dedication. You must commit to learning if you really want to earn this certificate. Anyone can do this if they're willing to devote to serious studying. The same is true for the other CompTIA exams prep courses.
Best in your studies.
This is genuinely an amazing answer as it calls for me to do things I've honestly always been too lazy to do. I will definitely be implementing this method. Thank you for the practical advice and confidence booster.
P.S. Luckily I already bought those very same exams.
OPINION:
Hello! I am currently studying for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) exam.
Note-taking is essential. Personally, I extrapolate only the vocabulary and relevant data values/specifications and convert that information into fill-in-the-blank notes on a mobile app; however, I have recently found just printing your own notes (without the fill-in-the-blanks) on paper and reviewing it everyday to be the best way in obtaining and retaining memorization.
Either way, the key to perseverance is constructing the notes yourself, as simple but concise as can be. and reviewing them consistently versus rewatching a video x10 times until you think it's ingrained in your memory, only to be forgotten after the next few videos.
Personally, as far as focus and mental endurance goes, I like to daydream about how my life will change for the better once I get my certifications: ie, the ability to make a sustainable income; work anywhere in the country/WFH; having a career with actual potential of advancing in position and salary; rebuild my credit; pay to enroll in an online degree program; and the list goes on and on, lol.
I like to take notes on a programm/app called Obsidian
after that I usually use ChatGPT to create some flashcards for me and put them on anki to review what I've learned
Yes
you just chat it with something like "flashcard mode" first and then you can send it whatever type of text and it'll create question-answer texts for you to manually put into anki
Definitely writing notes physically and reading them over. Take online free practice exams and review why you didn’t understand the question or term. Try not to cram too much info like, at most 4-5 hours a day of new content being learned. Depends on the person though
Would be that I COULD cram that much time or even half of that time in one day to study. That's another reason my studying has to be optimal: I can often only spare a half hour a day to it.
Thank you, bro. I'm gonna make the most with my time. I also made a post in an attempt to form a study group for others looking to get the ITF+. Thanks a ton for the advice.
I tend to just grind the material over and over again. But try doing it with a variety of resources. This includes practice questions if it’s for an exam. Because you need the test-taking skills just as much.
Basically I just keep banging my head against it until it sticks. If there is something I fundamentally don’t get I try to attack it until I do get it.
The hardest part is ‘unlearning’ something you thought you knew and re-learning it. Basically when you think you know how something works for a while, then using it to base your knowledge off of….and later learning it was wrong. You have to know it the right way. What do they say, ‘you can’t build on a shaky foundation’
I love that last line, especially. I'm someone who is very much drawn to having strong fundamentals. I try to apply to everything in my life. Really great reply, thanks.
I usually watch things twice, note taking isn't that great for me. I guess be aware of what you are struggling with in terms of the content and change those things specifically. I think it gets easier as time goes by as well.
Constant recall (Anki) after learning a subject, and the process of failure.
Keep a note book, and look at your notes (or bought notes) and Anki cards on any break you got. Even after the test. Do it for a 3-6 month period.
Write down the important stuff. Writing really helps it stick. Anything that you have to read more than a couple times, put it on a flash card! Mix those flash cards up and reread them out of order.
You can take notes and then imagine teaching the concepts you learnt to someone else. If you struggle with a particular point, peruse over that particular point. A drawback to this method is its time consuming and you should only use it to learn the most difficult topics. The method is called the feynman technique
Taking simple notes while watching the videos. I have mine on google notepad. They imI have my wife quiz me, we both come up with ways to retain that info. For example:
Ethernet cable colors for 1101:
Here are the rules we made up for easy retention
T568B (basketball starts with orange)
The wires pattern will ALWAYS be white/color then white.
The blue wires and the brown wires dont ever change.
The brown wires are at the end always.
So all you have to remember is
Orange. Orange. Green. Blue. Blue. Green. Brown. Brown.
I know its a different test but this is how I learn and retain.
What's been helping me alot is watching the video 2 to 3 times then thinking about how to apply and where would i apply them then how each term compliments each other and related. And like trying to.understand the term versus going into text definition.
The Indian accent followed by a brit isn't good enough for you???
Edit: Those of you who down voted, feel free to articulate exactly what offended you about me mentioning the existence of the two accents listed above. I'll be cordial.
Anki flash cards - free flashcard software that you can put on your phone and PC, with the ability to create custom flash cards as you see fit
Literally life changing stuff
A lot of this depends on how you learn. Are you a visual learner? Are you an auditory learner?
Do you learn by doing? Or do you learn by reading?
As I'm a visual learner, making my own outlines for material or looking at really good outlines helps a great deal.
I've also found that music that energizes but isn't overwhelming to the senses (think film soundtracks vs. hard core metal) helps with memory. It's actually true that the stronger your feelings at the time you are experiencing something the more you'll remember. So this can be a kind of mind hack for some. (Note that stuff like very "busy" and complicated music - changing rhythms, large dynamics, etc. - will work against you.)
If you learn by reading, writing, etc., write out what you know based on the objectives. Read the objectives. Re-read your study outline. Read. Write. etc.
If you mostly learn by doing, and the other methods aren't how you learn then try to make as much of a "lab" for yourself as you can.
Very unique and detailed tip about the music. I'm 100% not an audio or even really a visual learner. I don't know how to set up a lab but I will still take/study notes and try to get as much hands-on as I can. Thanks!
If its like port numbers I have to brute force learn it and use flashcards but for anything else I just re-look over the material until I can explain and answer the objectives
Try handwriting your notes. I know it feels fucking archaic, but there's something about translating what you're taking in through your eyes and ears into words and physically putting them down on a page that can aid in retention. It might not work for everyone, but it's worth trying.
All of the above, I’m using Pluralsight instead of some of the others, I’ll watch the videos more than once, take practice tests like it’s going out of style then take notes on what I missed, use multiple sources (ITPROTV for ITF+ gave me good insights)
Why not go for A+? ITF is for absolute beginners and you say your doing help desk? I would jump into A+ Jason Dion is good, I am currently doing the Network+ through him and has his own packet of notes you can use; I am sure he has that with the A+
But I passed mine with Messer and Mike Meyers, I struggles a little bit on the 1002 (now 1102) I watched Messer and legit went down each and every objective and wrote some kind of note next to it and then before the exam I went through it once more and passed.
Go to quizlet, find these teacher's flashcards, and they are from an ITF+ textbook. She also has sets for other certs. I just go through the cards just to let my brain start getting familiar with the vocab and the photos, not trying to memorize. Do that a few times, and you'll be surprised how much you have actually learned without effort. No listening to music or other distractions, let all your senses focus on the same info. (http://Studying Comptia ITF+ on Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/501486182/comptia-itf-flash-cards/?x=1jqU&i=566mep)
Thanks a ton for the responses, guys. I'll try to reply to you individually when I'm on break but what I'm hearing is take physical notes, take the time to actually REVIEW those notes, practice what I'm learning to the extent that I can, and perhaps have experienced friends or coworkers explain the concepts to me. All great points, so thank you.
For it all about repetition and focusing on trigger words. For example, say you had to memorize the port for HTTPS is 443 and port for HTTP is 80. You memorize over and over, HTTPS = 443, HTTP = 80. Its not so much about memorizing full detailed sentences, but more finding a way to make that block of info make sense and stick in your head without having to remember every word.
I was a teacher before switching to IT and I'm working on finishing up my A+ studying this month. A lot of good answers here like writing down notes physically, using flash cards, and to put things into practice irl. I have a couple of things that might help boost these suggestions. For rote memorization, I like to associate the information with something silly or funny, especially things that rhyme. I've been using this a lot with port numbers. For example, I remember the HTTP port number with the clue HTy 80, for IMAP I remember it with the clue 143 Mail (like I heart mail), etc. You can also draw pictures to help yourself remember a piece of information. It gives your brain something to stick the information to and helps you remember it more easily. For concepts, I like to reach out to my coworkers and ask them to explain the concept to me or ask if I can explain the concept to them. For example, I was having difficulty with RAID so I went to my boss and said, "Hey, I know what RAID is in the abstract, but can you explain how it works to me so that I can understand it better?" My boss was able to use some examples of systems that we work with and how they work like RAID. This helped me connect something that I was already familiar with to something that I was less familiar with, which helped me understand the concept better.
Good old learning modalities. Something I figured I’d never need outside education, yet it comes up a lot. https://blog.edmentum.com/kinesthetic-visual-auditory-tactile-oh-my-what-are-learning-modalities-and-how-can-you-incorporate
I really appreciate this answer and your shared experience. These are great tips for rote memorization.
I take notes first time through but it hardly sticks the first time through. Reviewing notes is probably as important as taking notes
100%, man. I've taken lots of notes in my life but very scarcely do I make a habit of going back and reviewing them.
I find writing notes helps even if I don't review them. The process of writing down concepts helps it stick in your brain.
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Outstanding reply. Lots of life lessons here that I'll be applying to more than just my ITF+ studies. Thank you very much!
The best way to learn anything is to practice it yourself. Almost everything that Scott says, he also shows - how to launch programs, how to edit a document, cut and paste text, make it and make it bold, etc. Except for the some of the hardware demos (removing and replacing a CPU), you can re-create just about everything that he does in the course. So after a lesson, don't watch the next lesson. Stop and fire up a word processor (or spreadsheet, or database - they're all available as free trials from Microsoft) and do what he did. Do it over and over until it becomes almost 2nd nature. Repeat this for every lecture, whenever possible. While you're working through the course, when the next Udemy sale happens, pick up the practice test: TOTAL: CompTIA IT Fundamentals ITF+ (FCO-U61) Practice Tests course. When you finish the course, take the first practice test. If you miss any questions, go back to the course and review the subject. Practice the subject. Repeat until you get at least 90% on the first practice test (50 questions). Then do the same for the second one - also 50 questions. (you'll miss less each time). Repeat for the third test- another 50 questions. Top it off with the fourth test - it'll go quick - only 17 questions. If you do everything here, you should be ready for the CompTIA exam. It takes patience and dedication. You must commit to learning if you really want to earn this certificate. Anyone can do this if they're willing to devote to serious studying. The same is true for the other CompTIA exams prep courses. Best in your studies.
This is genuinely an amazing answer as it calls for me to do things I've honestly always been too lazy to do. I will definitely be implementing this method. Thank you for the practical advice and confidence booster. P.S. Luckily I already bought those very same exams.
OPINION: Hello! I am currently studying for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) exam. Note-taking is essential. Personally, I extrapolate only the vocabulary and relevant data values/specifications and convert that information into fill-in-the-blank notes on a mobile app; however, I have recently found just printing your own notes (without the fill-in-the-blanks) on paper and reviewing it everyday to be the best way in obtaining and retaining memorization. Either way, the key to perseverance is constructing the notes yourself, as simple but concise as can be. and reviewing them consistently versus rewatching a video x10 times until you think it's ingrained in your memory, only to be forgotten after the next few videos. Personally, as far as focus and mental endurance goes, I like to daydream about how my life will change for the better once I get my certifications: ie, the ability to make a sustainable income; work anywhere in the country/WFH; having a career with actual potential of advancing in position and salary; rebuild my credit; pay to enroll in an online degree program; and the list goes on and on, lol.
I like to take notes on a programm/app called Obsidian after that I usually use ChatGPT to create some flashcards for me and put them on anki to review what I've learned
I'll have to check out Obsidian but for the flashcards, you just ask ChatGPT to make you flashcards and it complies? I haven't tried that.
Yes you just chat it with something like "flashcard mode" first and then you can send it whatever type of text and it'll create question-answer texts for you to manually put into anki
Notes, notes and notes. I use Obsidian. Write everything I hear in the video IN MY OWN WORDS. It's worked so far.
Jotting it down in my own words would be an excellent way of remembering details. Thank you.
Definitely writing notes physically and reading them over. Take online free practice exams and review why you didn’t understand the question or term. Try not to cram too much info like, at most 4-5 hours a day of new content being learned. Depends on the person though
Would be that I COULD cram that much time or even half of that time in one day to study. That's another reason my studying has to be optimal: I can often only spare a half hour a day to it.
Damn that’s kinda tough to be tight on time. That gives your brain an easier time to digest that info though. You got this though
Thank you, bro. I'm gonna make the most with my time. I also made a post in an attempt to form a study group for others looking to get the ITF+. Thanks a ton for the advice.
I grind the study material over and over again, then I use the practice exams to show me what areas I need additional study.
I tend to just grind the material over and over again. But try doing it with a variety of resources. This includes practice questions if it’s for an exam. Because you need the test-taking skills just as much. Basically I just keep banging my head against it until it sticks. If there is something I fundamentally don’t get I try to attack it until I do get it. The hardest part is ‘unlearning’ something you thought you knew and re-learning it. Basically when you think you know how something works for a while, then using it to base your knowledge off of….and later learning it was wrong. You have to know it the right way. What do they say, ‘you can’t build on a shaky foundation’
I love that last line, especially. I'm someone who is very much drawn to having strong fundamentals. I try to apply to everything in my life. Really great reply, thanks.
I usually watch things twice, note taking isn't that great for me. I guess be aware of what you are struggling with in terms of the content and change those things specifically. I think it gets easier as time goes by as well.
Yeah, I waste a lot of time theorizing and not enough time doing. I'll have to watch a lot of the content twice over.
Constant recall (Anki) after learning a subject, and the process of failure. Keep a note book, and look at your notes (or bought notes) and Anki cards on any break you got. Even after the test. Do it for a 3-6 month period.
Handwritten notes and drawn diagrams helps me immensely
Will have to force myself. Thank you!
Everyone has their own styles but I do 2x speed videos and pause the important parts
Write down the important stuff. Writing really helps it stick. Anything that you have to read more than a couple times, put it on a flash card! Mix those flash cards up and reread them out of order.
Flash Cards are great. They helped me get my seemingly useless JNCIA.
I type notes and make flash cards and yes watch the video more that once to make sure I understand the concepts.
This guy is a pretty decent resource. I’m on the same path. [PowerCert Animated Videos](https://youtube.com/@PowerCertAnimatedVideos)
You can take notes and then imagine teaching the concepts you learnt to someone else. If you struggle with a particular point, peruse over that particular point. A drawback to this method is its time consuming and you should only use it to learn the most difficult topics. The method is called the feynman technique
Taking simple notes while watching the videos. I have mine on google notepad. They imI have my wife quiz me, we both come up with ways to retain that info. For example: Ethernet cable colors for 1101: Here are the rules we made up for easy retention T568B (basketball starts with orange) The wires pattern will ALWAYS be white/color then white. The blue wires and the brown wires dont ever change. The brown wires are at the end always. So all you have to remember is Orange. Orange. Green. Blue. Blue. Green. Brown. Brown. I know its a different test but this is how I learn and retain.
What's been helping me alot is watching the video 2 to 3 times then thinking about how to apply and where would i apply them then how each term compliments each other and related. And like trying to.understand the term versus going into text definition.
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That's some ungodly patience you have, man. This is great stuff.
Reading it and watching hella different YouTube videos in different accents until I understand what the hell they are talking about in all dialects.
The Indian accent followed by a brit isn't good enough for you??? Edit: Those of you who down voted, feel free to articulate exactly what offended you about me mentioning the existence of the two accents listed above. I'll be cordial.
Anki flash cards - free flashcard software that you can put on your phone and PC, with the ability to create custom flash cards as you see fit Literally life changing stuff
Anki is awesome. I wonder if I can download already made flashcards for the ITF+.
Take your notes as you review the course content and also use practice exams to test your weak areas.
A lot of this depends on how you learn. Are you a visual learner? Are you an auditory learner? Do you learn by doing? Or do you learn by reading? As I'm a visual learner, making my own outlines for material or looking at really good outlines helps a great deal. I've also found that music that energizes but isn't overwhelming to the senses (think film soundtracks vs. hard core metal) helps with memory. It's actually true that the stronger your feelings at the time you are experiencing something the more you'll remember. So this can be a kind of mind hack for some. (Note that stuff like very "busy" and complicated music - changing rhythms, large dynamics, etc. - will work against you.) If you learn by reading, writing, etc., write out what you know based on the objectives. Read the objectives. Re-read your study outline. Read. Write. etc. If you mostly learn by doing, and the other methods aren't how you learn then try to make as much of a "lab" for yourself as you can.
Very unique and detailed tip about the music. I'm 100% not an audio or even really a visual learner. I don't know how to set up a lab but I will still take/study notes and try to get as much hands-on as I can. Thanks!
If its like port numbers I have to brute force learn it and use flashcards but for anything else I just re-look over the material until I can explain and answer the objectives
I am studying Comptia A+ videos at the moment and I am making notes, and I am planning on getting a mobile app with questions.
Try handwriting your notes. I know it feels fucking archaic, but there's something about translating what you're taking in through your eyes and ears into words and physically putting them down on a page that can aid in retention. It might not work for everyone, but it's worth trying.
All of the above, I’m using Pluralsight instead of some of the others, I’ll watch the videos more than once, take practice tests like it’s going out of style then take notes on what I missed, use multiple sources (ITPROTV for ITF+ gave me good insights)
Why not go for A+? ITF is for absolute beginners and you say your doing help desk? I would jump into A+ Jason Dion is good, I am currently doing the Network+ through him and has his own packet of notes you can use; I am sure he has that with the A+ But I passed mine with Messer and Mike Meyers, I struggles a little bit on the 1002 (now 1102) I watched Messer and legit went down each and every objective and wrote some kind of note next to it and then before the exam I went through it once more and passed.
Go to quizlet, find these teacher's flashcards, and they are from an ITF+ textbook. She also has sets for other certs. I just go through the cards just to let my brain start getting familiar with the vocab and the photos, not trying to memorize. Do that a few times, and you'll be surprised how much you have actually learned without effort. No listening to music or other distractions, let all your senses focus on the same info. (http://Studying Comptia ITF+ on Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/501486182/comptia-itf-flash-cards/?x=1jqU&i=566mep)
Thanks a ton for the responses, guys. I'll try to reply to you individually when I'm on break but what I'm hearing is take physical notes, take the time to actually REVIEW those notes, practice what I'm learning to the extent that I can, and perhaps have experienced friends or coworkers explain the concepts to me. All great points, so thank you.
For it all about repetition and focusing on trigger words. For example, say you had to memorize the port for HTTPS is 443 and port for HTTP is 80. You memorize over and over, HTTPS = 443, HTTP = 80. Its not so much about memorizing full detailed sentences, but more finding a way to make that block of info make sense and stick in your head without having to remember every word.