Yeah, about 6 months all in if you're doing it full time. It took me 10 months whilst working full time not particularly breaking my balls.
At some point the penny will drop and you will realise that most of the expensive material you have purchased is not required. As mentioned on previous threads, it's a game. If you follow the rules and the well trodden path it becomes fairly strainght forward. Don't be put off by the big books - their bark is much worse than their bite.
I'd estimate around 60% of the books are surplus to requirements. The only difficult part is finding out which parts you need and which you don't. That's where subscription to a certain internet database becomes priceless.....