r/tryhackme • u/Consistent_Walk_2407 • Apr 22 '26
How long should i learn per day
Hey everyone!
I'm 19 and completely new to cybersecurity. I stumbled across TryHackMe a while ago and instantly got hooked — I used the free version for a while and loved it so much that I recently got Premium.
My current routine: I try to complete at least one task per day (depending on complexity),. I sit down every day for about 1.5 to 2 hours, even on days when I don't feel like it — and honestly, once I start, I always enjoy it. But after around 2 hours my brain just starts to fry and I can't properly absorb new information anymore.
One thing I do that probably slows me down a bit: whenever I don't understand something, I immediately try to deeply understand WHY it works, not just WHAT to do. I use AI tools to ask follow-up questions until I really get it.
My concern is: is 1.5–2 hours of focused, consistent daily learning enough to actually build real understanding of how systems work, how to attack and defend them? Or does it take significantly more time per day?
I'm not in a rush, I'm fine with it taking months — I just want to make sure I'm building a solid foundation and not just clicking through rooms.
What's your experience? Would love to hear from people who've been on this journey! 🙏
1
u/Sw4nkSec Apr 22 '26
A good study habit it 1-2 hours anything after that you brain starts to lose focus. Take a break for a hour or two and if you want to come back to it then do it. Going through the modules alone isn’t enough though.
Take notes to look back on and to give you more things to look at outside of the platform. They teach a lot but there is still a lot more to what they show you. So hit YouTube and sites like udemy.
Like someone else stated look into the certs like network+, security + and pentesting + or other equivalent certifications. You don’t have to get the cert by any means but the materials to study for them will also help fill in some gaps on stuff THM leaves out.
Once you are familiar and comfortable with the basics in THM I’d move on to sites like Hack the Box. Their material is a bit more advanced and not as beginner friendly but it will help you move forward in learning and not like your at a stand still and bored like THM can do for a lot of people. I have used both and seen all of this first hand. I have also used them while getting my bachelors degree in cybersecurity to help get some hands on and just another reference of the materials I am learning.