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Any IT/computer tech protips?
starting IT classes pretty soon so any insight would be appreciated.
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5 answers
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Mario’s Answer
Show up to every class no matter the cost, hand in every single assignment even if it know you did a bad job on it, don't cheat (you'll just learn the steps to cheat as opposed to how to arrive at the answer) however don't be shy to use tools to help validate your answer, try to make groups of classmates where you guys can validate your answers against each other (this is a great way to collaborate and share the same pains).
School can be pretty stressful, so make sure to have fun,. A lot of your classmates will have the same interests as you.
School can be pretty stressful, so make sure to have fun,. A lot of your classmates will have the same interests as you.
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David’s Answer
I love Mario's answer, great advice.
For me, trying to remember everything was difficult, particularly as my college life added layers of information on topics week on week.
What I found really helped me make sense of everything and embed it, was using mind maps.
- I would have one for all the topics I was learning to help me see the big picture of how far I had come.
- I would have one each for each topic, with concepts and themes stored in there, with layers of information as it built up over the weeks. That meant I could hide the detail and just see the concepts or highlight and then drill down into them when I needed them.
It was a great way of simplifying and reminding me of all the elements, and then go and drill down into detail and examples when I needed that extra bit of context to drive home the points, but at the same time avoided me being overwhelmed by info/noise when I didn't need it.
So this is a specific bit of advice that helped my learning and also helped enormously at exam revision time. Hopefully it complemented the advice already provided by others.
The one bit of advice I would give that is more general, is that whenever I needed some motivation to knuckle down and complete an assignment or revise for an exam, I would tell myself "One small investment now will pay me dividends for the rest of my career - you can enjoy yourself when you have passed!".
If I was struggling to complete some work, or someone asked me to go out when I had to hand something in the next day, I would use it as my personal coach to make sure I made the right choice and made an investment in myself.
For me, trying to remember everything was difficult, particularly as my college life added layers of information on topics week on week.
What I found really helped me make sense of everything and embed it, was using mind maps.
- I would have one for all the topics I was learning to help me see the big picture of how far I had come.
- I would have one each for each topic, with concepts and themes stored in there, with layers of information as it built up over the weeks. That meant I could hide the detail and just see the concepts or highlight and then drill down into them when I needed them.
It was a great way of simplifying and reminding me of all the elements, and then go and drill down into detail and examples when I needed that extra bit of context to drive home the points, but at the same time avoided me being overwhelmed by info/noise when I didn't need it.
So this is a specific bit of advice that helped my learning and also helped enormously at exam revision time. Hopefully it complemented the advice already provided by others.
The one bit of advice I would give that is more general, is that whenever I needed some motivation to knuckle down and complete an assignment or revise for an exam, I would tell myself "One small investment now will pay me dividends for the rest of my career - you can enjoy yourself when you have passed!".
If I was struggling to complete some work, or someone asked me to go out when I had to hand something in the next day, I would use it as my personal coach to make sure I made the right choice and made an investment in myself.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Here are some solid pro tips to help you succeed and get ahead in the IT field:
1. Keyboard Shortcuts: Master common shortcuts (Windows/Mac) to speed up work
2. Operating Systems: Learn basics of Windows, macOS, and Linux (file management, software installation).
3. Networking: Understand IP addressing, subnetting, and commands like ping, ipconfig for troubleshooting.
4. Virtualization: Use VirtualBox/VMware to experiment with different operating systems.
5. Troubleshooting: Isolate and solve hardware/software issues step-by-step.
6. Security: Understand firewalls, antivirus, encryption, 2FA, and basic cybersecurity practices.
7. Documentation: Keep organized notes for quick reference.
8. Certifications: Aim for CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+.
9. Experiment: Set up home labs and try new software to reinforce learning.
10. Stay Updated: Follow IT news, trends, and best practices.
11. Cloud: Learn basics of cloud computing (AWS, Azure).
12. Problem Solving: IT is about troubleshooting—practice your problem-solving skills regularly.
These areas will give you a well-rounded foundation for your IT classes. Good luck!
1. Keyboard Shortcuts: Master common shortcuts (Windows/Mac) to speed up work
2. Operating Systems: Learn basics of Windows, macOS, and Linux (file management, software installation).
3. Networking: Understand IP addressing, subnetting, and commands like ping, ipconfig for troubleshooting.
4. Virtualization: Use VirtualBox/VMware to experiment with different operating systems.
5. Troubleshooting: Isolate and solve hardware/software issues step-by-step.
6. Security: Understand firewalls, antivirus, encryption, 2FA, and basic cybersecurity practices.
7. Documentation: Keep organized notes for quick reference.
8. Certifications: Aim for CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+.
9. Experiment: Set up home labs and try new software to reinforce learning.
10. Stay Updated: Follow IT news, trends, and best practices.
11. Cloud: Learn basics of cloud computing (AWS, Azure).
12. Problem Solving: IT is about troubleshooting—practice your problem-solving skills regularly.
These areas will give you a well-rounded foundation for your IT classes. Good luck!
Updated
Brian’s Answer
As you progress from primary / high school to secondary / college you'll find your interactions with professors changes from the relationships you had with teachers. Typically college professors are a little more no-nonsense, however they are interested in your success. They typically have years of experience and genuinely want to share their knowledge and want so see you grow.
- Like Mario mentioned, half the battle is showing up. Show up and put the honest effort in.
- Take notes and review those after class.
- If you have a library or study hall, use it. You'll get much more done, in less time, at those locations due to minimized distractions.
- Use the professor's office hours to develop a more personal relationship with them. They're people too. Office hours are a great time to get help with a concept or clarify what they are looking for in an assignment. If they know you, they're more likely to offer additional help.
- Find a friend / study group. Everyone learns a little different. I found that reviewing material with a group, and quizzing each other along the way, was a very impactful way to prep for exams.
- Like Mario mentioned, half the battle is showing up. Show up and put the honest effort in.
- Take notes and review those after class.
- If you have a library or study hall, use it. You'll get much more done, in less time, at those locations due to minimized distractions.
- Use the professor's office hours to develop a more personal relationship with them. They're people too. Office hours are a great time to get help with a concept or clarify what they are looking for in an assignment. If they know you, they're more likely to offer additional help.
- Find a friend / study group. Everyone learns a little different. I found that reviewing material with a group, and quizzing each other along the way, was a very impactful way to prep for exams.
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hi Kajuan! Explore different areas of IT early on, whether it's networking, cybersecurity, programming, or data science, so you can find what excites you. Build hands-on experience through personal projects, labs, and certifications like CompTIA A+ or Google IT Support. Stay curious and keep learning outside of class by following tech blogs, YouTube tutorials, and online courses. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions, experiment, and connect with others in the field. Good luck!