a member

I've been studying cybersecurity this year, but I’m feeling stuck and hopeless. I feel like I'm not retaining what I study, and the resources I'm finding aren't sticking. ​I’ve learned basic concepts like physical hardware (motherboards, network adapters), network diagnostics (tracert, ping, dig, etc.), and LAN topologies (bus, ring, and star). I’ve been using resources like TryHackMe, but moving beyond the basics still feels like hitting a brick wall. ​I lose focus so easily and struggle to process deeper concepts when teaching myself. My biggest trap is telling myself I’ll take a "tiny break", only for 5 minutes to turn into 15 minutes, which then turns into an hour. By the time I realize how much time passed, I’ve lost all my momentum and don't even want to study anymore. ​This makes me anxious because cybersecurity has been my dream career since I was young. I’ve always been obsessed with computers, whether it be building/repairing hardware or SecOps. I know the field isn't the fantasy people make it out to be, I have a realistic picture of what cybersecurity is and truly want to pursue it. ​I also heard the industry often values hands on skills and certifications (like CompTIA) over a perfect GPA or college degree (even though it still gives you leverage), which gives me hope since my high school GPA wasn't ideal due to laziness. ​Whenever I weigh the pros and cons, my answer is always a firm yes, this is what I want to do. I just need to break through this learning problem and fix my study habits. ​Does anyone have tips on how to manage study breaks, rebuild focus, adjust my learning approach for deeper technical concepts, or recommend good resources? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!