Try Focus Factor, Ginko or even sucking on mints while studying. Make sure that the TV, stereo, etc. are all off and try reading out loud while visualizing what you're reading. I know the mint thing sound strange but get the strongest ones you can stand---like Altoid peppermints. The smell of mint has been proven to stimulate brain cells.

Sometimes the speed reading method helps when I'm not feeling engaged in the material. You don't have to read quickly. Just use the underlying format.

Before reading a chapter:
Read the test.
Read titles.
Read summaries.

Cover all highlighted elements before reading the chapter in a straight narrative fashion.

If you're still not engaged, take notes by hand, doodle in context, make a cheat sheet (that you won't use), or flash cards.

Always get up and move when you take a break. Exercise. Shower. Eat. Good luck.

What I did for the last hour is take the several tests at the end of chapter 1, over and over, until I got every answer right. Some are written exams, some are multiple choice. If I missed one I went back and read the relevant pages. I'll start on that with chapter two and when I get them all right, I'll also go back and do chapter 1 again.

And find some ginko or mint. :P

Doesn't sound like interesting material to learn!!!
I hope you catch on really soon!!!

My son is a computer network engineer and it comes easy to him. Visualizing what each section is talking about may help. Diagramming how one is related to the other ... and as others have suggested, relating those sections of info to sections of a quilt might help.

Gingko Biloba, foods with omega 3 fatty acids (like salmon) or an omega 3 fatty acid vitamin might help.

Sounds like you are making progress. Good luck to you. :wink:

I have been a telecom systems administrator for many years and I find that easy to learn new things on. I can create and route a number anywhere, anyhow, make it ring anywhere or several at once, send a caller to menus or call centers, if an office is closed due to snow, I can route their calls to another location, manage voicemail systems, I can even do wiring... I just don't do NETWORKING, as in routers and switches.

It's related but it's totally different in many ways.

Pam have you considered a study partner?? When I was getting my bachelor's in nursing we helped each other get through.
Good luck!

In my Social Psych class I learned that you have to read the material 4 times to get it right. First a general overview, then for content, then a reminder and the picking out bits. That's how I tackle the text. GOod luck and don't do too much in one sitting.

Wow!

Dumb questions - but I'll ask anyway -

Is networking the Hardware part of it?

So if it's hardware, how does wireless work?

If you can do wiring - is networking extended wiring?

(I apologize for these being simplistic )

At any rate, I wish you well with this endeavor.

Go ahead and skip to the next chapters. It will make more sense once you see how & why it's used and some of it you will never see again--particularly references to the OSI model--LOL!

Seriously! Sounds like you are studying for your Network + exam or possibly just the first step--the A+. Skip ahead--there will be very few if any questions about the "good old days" of networking on the exam. I'm from the good old days and there were very few of those type questions back then.