Week 2 of Starla Condes’ Security+ Certification Series finds her deep in the grind — juggling work, family, and late-night study sessions while pushing through the first domains of the CompTIA Security+ exam. Her schedule is packed from the moment she wakes up until the lights go out, and yet she’s proving that progress in cybersecurity certification is possible for anyone willing to stay consistent.
The Reality Behind the Routine
Starla’s day starts at six in the morning. Between getting her kids ready, commuting through traffic, working a full day, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and bedtime routines, her nights don’t truly start until 9:30 p.m. That’s when she opens her laptop, reviews her notes, and studies until around midnight.
It’s exhausting, but her focus is clear: consistency. Even her commute has turned into part of her study plan. She listens to Professor Messer’s Security+ lessons during her 40-minute drive, reinforcing concepts she studied the night before.
The way she sees it, it’s not about having long, perfect study blocks — it’s about showing up every single day. “You eat an elephant one bite at a time,” she says, quoting her husband. And that mindset perfectly sums up how she’s approaching one of the most widely recognized cybersecurity certifications in the world.
Understanding the Material
By Week 2, Starla has started working through the second Security+ domain while reviewing the first. She’s learning core cybersecurity principles like the CIA Triad — confidentiality, integrity, and availability — which form the foundation for all security decisions.
According to CompTIA, these pillars are among the first and most critical concepts tested on the Security+ exam because they represent the goals of every security control and policy. She’s also exploring the differences between authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) — concepts that govern how users access and interact with systems securely.
For someone without a technical background, these topics can feel foreign at first. But with time and repetition, they start to click. As Starla puts it, “What I like about Professor Messer is that he explains it in layman’s terms — in a way that makes sense to somebody like myself who doesn’t have formal training or experience.”
How the Work Adds Up
Starla has 79 days left in her 90-day plan. Each week she’s tackling a new domain, building confidence as she goes. Her goal is to complete all five domains by the end of the month, setting her up for two weeks of focused exam prep and practice tests before sitting for the certification.
Her approach mirrors what learning science supports: steady, distributed study over time is far more effective than cramming. Even short, consistent sessions strengthen recall and understanding — a method especially valuable for adult learners balancing multiple priorities.
Takeaway for the Security+ Curious
Starla’s experience shows that earning the Security+ isn’t reserved for people with a technical background. It’s for anyone who wants to understand cybersecurity fundamentals and is willing to put in the time.
Start with a plan. Break the material into manageable domains and schedule time daily.
Use relatable resources. Professor Messer’s videos, CompTIA’s official guides, and free online communities make the material accessible.
Stay consistent. Even 30–60 minutes a day builds momentum faster than you think.
Embrace the process. The goal isn’t to memorize; it’s to understand and apply.
As Starla says, the biggest key is consistency. “You attack Security+ one page at a time.”
Watch Week 1 to see where it all started and stay tuned for Week 3!
