Starting A Study Group

Below are a few suggestions from personal experiences in leading and managing study groups:

1. Sit down and come up with your own personal certification career track (when do I want to get my CCNA, CCNP, CCDA, CCDP, CCIE).  Be realistic!  This in turn will determine how often and long the study sessions will last for each certification.
2. Decide what study resources you would like to use and will require other participants in your group to purchase.
3. Make meeting times and places convenient.  Otherwise, this may deter you from committing to your study group for the long hall. 
4. Keep everyone informed.
5. Be consistent and stick with the plan! In setting the goals and plans for your study group (syllabus, study material, time frame, when everyone will get certified by, etc.), you will run into problems.  It is likely that participants in your study group will run into problems (not consistently showing, unprepared, family matters, etc.).  Getting behind schedule may deter others in the study group including you. 
6. Keep the scope of your study group realistic and attainable.  For example, if you want to head up a CCNP study group, you may want to consider breaking it up into four separate study groups that will focus individually on each of the required exams (BCSN, BCMSN, BCRAN, CIT).  That way, if some people drop out of one of the study groups for one reason or another, they can join back up when you start your next study group as well as other people who may find out about your study group later on and want to join in. 
7. Ask or require that people who participate in your study group to proactively get involved in your study group. One can become quickly overburdened by taking on the full responsibility of leading a study group.  Don’t be afraid to delegate responsibilities.  People hate to volunteer but don't mind doing things if you ask them. If they agree to do something for you then you need to constantly follow-up with them to make sure they are doing what they agreed to do.
8. Don't be afraid to "fire" your volunteers. You can tell when someone isn't going to accomplish something or isn't working for the good of the DFWCUG - so don't let that slow down the rest of the project. Maybe they can do something else better.
9. Don't plan things too far in advance unless it's absolutely necessary (like major holidays).
10. Have fun!  Chances are likely that the individuals who want to participate in your study group will have the same interests and career path as you.  Encourage each other to hold true to the goals that are set for your study group.  For those that stick with it and move up the CCIE ladder in your study group, these individuals will likely be those you will build professional relationships with in the near future.  Personal and financial successes are sure to follow.

Please drop me an email at Tom Young if you have any questions or would be interested in starting your own DFWCUG Study Group.