So I have 3 days left till I am done with my Cisco IV class, and exactly 7 (school) days left till I gain my Associates Degree in Computer Science of Computer Systems & Networking Technology. I'm soooo ready to be done with school, but mainly Cisco!! Through my four semesters of school at ASU-Beebe and my four Cisco courses (I, II, III, & IV) I've learned a lot about computers, networking....and Cisco... Cisco is a big, popular, good (to some), and an expensive company. Unless I become super rich, I can guarantee I will never own a Cisco router or switch...they are super expensive. So even though I've learned tons of Cisco router/switch configurations and whatnot, I probably won't use them very much. Most smaller companies can't afford a Cisco product, like the place I interned at, and even if I ever do work at a company with Cisco products, I more than likely won't be working on them; I do NOT like configuring routers or switches. But anyways, to anyone who goes in this field, here are a few tips I've learned to help you through the horrible Cisco courses.1. Pay Attention!
I was a typical student when I first started Cisco I; I didn't pay attention in class very much. The Cisco books are so boring! But if you want to graduate and pass the Cisco courses, then indeed, you need to listen!
2. Take Notes
I took many notes in class. Not so much when we were going over the chapter, but when your teacher show you how to subnet for the first time it's a very good idea to write that down. I fortunately did take notes when I first learned to subnet, and I (like to think) that I'm very good at subnetting. But there are a few people in my Cisco IV class that still have problems with subnetting. It's really not that hard to learn, very easy when you get the hang of it. And if you ever do get a job configuring routers or switches, you HAVE to know how to subnet!
3. Keep You Notes
I have a binder full of every single note I took from my Cisco I-III classes. And they've helped me remember stuff I got a little rusty on over the summer and spring break. My first year teacher, Mr. Davis, has all his notes from when he was in college taking his Cisco courses. These can help you do homework, or even help you pass your hands-on final at the end of the semester.
4. Keep Your Books
Along with all my notes, I still have all my books: Cisco I-IV, Hardware & Software, LAN I & II, HTML, Linux, Computer Forensics, and Troubleshooting book. You may want to sell them back when your done with them, but if your wanting to have a career in this field, it's a good idea to keep them.
5. Buy the CCNA Portable Command Guide
The CCNA Portable Command Guide from Cisco is a GREAT help when configuring routers and switches. It wasn't required when I was buying my books, but they said it would help, and it certainly did.
The book has every Cisco command for routers and switches. It has examples, and tells you what the commands do. It covers the basic configs to the harder stuff in Cisco IV like ACLs, DHCP, Frame Relay. It's the best purchase I made during school. It's actually right in front of me as I'm typing this, (I have my Cisco IV final tomorrow).
6. Study & Practice
This is probably the most important tip for Cisco: To study and practice!!! It's pretty self-explanatory. Study for the tests! Cisco Tests are the worst! The questions are confussing and they try to trick you and make you think it's some big, difficult answer. You can't fly-by in Cisco... And of course Practice! Practice makes perfect, you've all heard before, and it does. Of course not everyone is going to have a personal router or switch, or even go to school where there's enough for everyone to practice on, but don't worry. Packet Tracer is a free program to practice configuring routers, switches, PCs, frame-relay, and other stuff. It's been a HUGE help to me. BUT, beware! Packet Tracer likes to close all of a sudden, and not save any of your work (it happened to me on a final! But luckily I still managed to make a 100! :D ). So if you use Packet Tracer, SAVE OFTEN!!!
Well that's all the "tips" I can think of at the moment, but I'm sure there are more... If you go into this field be sure to do at least some of these, It will help you a lot and Good Luck!!! :)
