How I Am Studying for the CCNA
Why the CCNA
The Cisco Certified Network Associate is one of the most recognized networking certifications in IT. My goal is to build a strong foundation in networking concepts that I can apply in real environments, not just pass a test. The CCNA covers everything from basic networking to IP routing, VLANs, subnetting, and network security.
My Study Resources
Everyone learns differently. Here is what is working for me:
- Jeremy’s IT Lab (YouTube & Anki) — free and widely considered the best CCNA course available. Jeremy walks through every exam topic with clear explanations and free Anki flashcard decks to match
- Packet Tracer — Cisco’s free network simulator. I use this to practice configurations hands on without needing real hardware
- Boson ExSim — practice exams that closely mirror the real thing. I use these to identify weak areas and track my progress
- Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) — Cisco’s official network simulation platform. A step up from Packet Tracer, CML lets you run actual Cisco IOS images in a virtual environment so your lab work is as close to real hardware as it gets
- Cisco CCNA Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom — the definitive study book straight from Cisco. Dense but thorough, it covers every exam topic in depth and is great as a reference you can come back to even after you pass
My Study Routine
Consistency matters more than long cramming sessions. My current routine looks like this:
- Daily — 20 to 30 minutes of Anki flashcard review to keep concepts fresh
- Weekdays — one to two Jeremy’s IT Lab video lessons with notes
- Weekends — Packet Tracer labs to practice what I studied during the week
Topics I Am Working Through
- Network fundamentals and the OSI model
- IP addressing and subnetting
- VLANs and inter-VLAN routing
- Spanning Tree Protocol
- OSPF
- Network security fundamentals
- Wireless networking
Lessons Learned So Far
Subnetting clicked when I stopped memorizing and started practicing. There are a lot of shortcut methods online but doing it by hand over and over is what made it stick for me. I use subnettingpractice.com to drill it daily.
Labs are non-negotiable. Reading about routing protocols is one thing. Watching a routing table populate in Packet Tracer after you configure OSPF correctly is something else entirely. Do the labs.
Follow Along
I will be posting study notes, lab writeups, and progress updates here as I work toward the exam. If you are also studying for the CCNA feel free to reach out — it helps to study with others going through the same material.