Comments on: The Early Bird Gets the CCIE

By: Joseph Chang

Joseph Chang — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 21:33:39 +0000

I agree with getting up early to study before work. My 20-30 hr/week study binge would have hit the 3-year mark in May, but I am finished for now (especially if I would like to stay happily married). I started early morning studying in earnest for R&S v4/5 in 2014 and switched over to SPv3 due to work requirements. God was good to me, and I passed SPv3 on Good Friday 2015. However, I had to refocus on studying for DC and Security due to leading a datacenter build out and migration for a bank. This led to attempting the v4 exam in December 2016 (before the January v5 upgrade). The competitor in me was not happy with failing, and I had to beg and stiff-arm (probably more like whine) my wife into letting me do R&S v5. I already knew MPLS, had a solid R&S foundation, and IPSec was a core technology in Security v4. At least on R&S you do not have to get DMVPN working through an ASA, there is no MPLS-TE, inter-AS VPN, or CSC. God was good to me again at the end of March, and I am happy with 2 of 3! I could not have done it without early morning studying (or my wife and kids’ tolerance). Waking up @0400 to study 0500-0830 (or 0500-1200 on Saturday) for makes a huge difference. Taking time off before the exam to study is even more is crucial. Persistence is key. When the going gets tough, embrace the suck! CCIE# 47907

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By: Phil Gervasi

Phil Gervasi — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:50:23 +0000

In reply to Matt.

Thanks very much, Matt. We’re definitely in the same boat haha! It’s super hard to do, but it’s completely worth it. Good luck with your study plan and with the CCIE!

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By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:31:37 +0000

This is a great way to adjust your schedule to deal with the complications of real life. I am also struggling with how to fit CCIE study time into a week full of swimming lessons, gymnastics, and dance for two high energy daughters. Not to mention trying to actually have an adult conversation with my wife every now and then. I think, like you, my best opportunity will be to shift to an earlier rise for some quality focused study time. Thanks for sharing.

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