Save the certification exam objectives as wordpad documents. Take the objectives one-by-one, and find the pertinent sections on CCO or elseware. Paste the definitions, descriptions or URLS into your document. This is your personal study guide. DO IT YOURSELF! Finding the information is half the game, and you'll learn 5 things enroute to finding the specific objective. Read your document top to bottom on a regular basis, no matter how well you think you already know it. Having a study partner or two is fine, but doing the research yourself is what makes the data memorable.

Scan the comp.dcom.sys.cisco newsgroup weekly. Read every message, whether you understand it or not. It will introduce new concepts, demonstrate real world problems and expose you to models that you may not have in your environment. However - take everything with a grain of salt, not everyone there is as good as they think they are.

Subscribe to the newserver at www.groupstudy.com. The archive there is good for looking up specific items, but the mailing list should be avoided due to the volume of posts. The newsgroup is THE way to go. An essential resource for Associate and Professional certs.

Focus on attainable goals. Yes, I'm working on my CCIE, but it's difficult to define progress. By taking one CCNP exam every 2-3 months (or whatever your pace might be), you're preparing for a CCIE in the long run.

Read. Constantly. Keep a reference in your briefcase, in your car, in your bathroom.

Don't do any of this unless you're really into it. Life it too short to boggle your mind with facts that don't challenge or stimulate you intellectually. This is really all about the most efficient way to move a data packet from point A to point B. If that doesn't blow your skirt up, find something that does. If you're only in it for the money, become a lawyer.

Don't listen to me. I don't have any special insight into the progress, I'm just slogging along like you are. What works for me might not work for you. Heck, half the reason I put up this web site was to procrastinate studying for my next test...........