From: Scott Morris (swm@emanon.com)
Date: Thu Jul 29 2004 - 13:51:59 GMT-3
Congrats! Not an easy task anyway, but certainly not with a newborn
around!!!
Scott Morris, CCIE4 (R&S/ISP-Dial/Security/Service Provider) #4713, CISSP,
JNCIP, et al.
IPExpert CCIE Program Manager
IPExpert Sr. Technical Instructor
swm@emanon.com/smorris@ipexpert.net
http://www.ipexpert.net
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Gerry Hilton
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 12:42 PM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: #13710
Hi. I'm finally writing that email....passed my CCIE on Tuesday in RTP and
now I'm #13710. This is a personal best for me as it's been a journey with
many obstacles. I didn't start working on the lab portion until pregnant
with my second child (born last August) so study time has been limited and
fragmented and I have been massively sleep-deprived.
I took 6 months off from studying after he was born so that didn't help
either. But it has all worked out now and there's nothing like seeing that
number for the first time!
I'd really like to thank my husband (CCIE 11928) for his help and
support. He's used up most of his vacation and
all of his free time to look after the kids after his workday so that I
could study at night. Studying in a "zoo-like" atmosphere with constant
interruptions actually helped in the lab - it was strangely peaceful!
This mailing list has been invaluable for its technical information and
inspirational emails from people who have passed.
It was really comforting to know there were other people out there working
toward the same thing.
Special thanks to the two Brians, Scott and Howard for their knowledge and
wacky humour.
The Internetwork Expert labs were the only ones that I used. They were
really great for working on the wording
of the exams and determining how to apply one's knowledge. I only got them
in March and wished I had them earlier.
I got the on-line subscription for 6 months and the price was fantastic. I
cannot recommend them enough. I couldn't go to any boot camps or anything
but I am sure that they would help too.
I have a home lab which is what I would recommend for anyone who doesn't
have blocks of time to study. You can
jump on at any time that you have a minute. You can fall asleep at
midnight at your computer and not worry that you're wasting rack time!
I read most of the books we all read but as a tactile learner (re:
Howard's email on learning styles) I really had to do the labs, turn on
debugs, etc.. Again, the Internetwork Expert lab solution guide really
helped me to apply the theoretical knowledge.
The proctors in RTP were fantastic and their good humour and attitude really
helped on the day.
My advice
- find the best study materials early on
- try to find good quality study time (difficult for many).
- attempt the lab to see what it's like
- apply good exam-taking skills on the day (good night's sleep, time
management, keeping calm, etc.)
- do the whole process before having children!!!!
If you keep on studying, reading this list, and using good lab materials,
you WILL get your number and then you will realize that it is all worth it!
Thanks for all the posts - they really helped!
Gerry Hilton
CCIE #13710
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