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Hi, I’m Hijab from Lahore, Pakistan. While exploring my University’s Virtual Learning Environment, I noticed a variety of insightful blogs shared by my fellow students. That’s when I thought, why not write my own?  

Now, I’m no expert or life coach. I’m just a student like you, navigating the complexities of studying, assessments and everything in between. Here’s a summary of what has worked for me: 

• Plan ahead: create a study schedule to stay organised and reduce anxiety around assessments and assignments.
• Practice past papers: understand assessment patterns and improve your ability to critically answer questions.  
• Take care of yourself: prioritise health, rest and avoid last-minute cramming. 

Create a study schedule (yes, it’s worth it!) 

The first step to conquering your studies is showing your brain that you’re super organised. By setting up a schedule, you create a roadmap that reduces stress and provides clarity on what needs to be done.  

Here’s a simple strategy. Imagine today is 1 January and you have assessments starting on 15 February. Your goal is to complete your syllabus by 30 January. Start by listing all the dates between 1 January and 30 January. Divide your subjects and topics across the days. Then, stick to the schedule religiously. If life throws you a curveball (like falling unwell), rearrange the missed tasks across other days. This approach ensures steady progress, reduces last-minute cramming, and gives you a sense of control over your preparation. 

Past papers: your assessment prep goldmine 

If there’s one thing you should prioritise during assessment preparation, it’s doing past papers. They’re essential for understanding how questions are framed and what examiners expect.  

So, why past papers? Even if you know your concepts well, knowing how to interpret questions and structure answers is crucial for success. Try to avoid memorising mark schemes. Instead, practise solving questions independently. This ensures genuine learning rather than rote memorisation. My pro tip is to start practising past papers after completing each topic. This reinforces your understanding and highlights areas of improvement.  

General assessment tips

To maximise your performance, follow these tried-and-tested tips for before and during your assessment period. Before your assessments, start early. Aim to finish your syllabus at least a month before, which gives you ample time for revision. Watch seminars, attend lectures and focus on understanding, not memorisation. practise, practise, practise. In my preparation, I like to solve at least five years’ worth of past papers before assessments.

During your assessment period, prioritise your health. I find it helpful to avoid sugar (it hampers concentration), limit caffeine (too much can disrupt focus and sleep), reduce screen time (to give my eyes and brain a break), get proper sleep (your brain works best when well-rested). Finally, avoid last minute cramming. Trying to learn everything the night before often leads to forgetting previously learnt material. Trust your preparation and focus on reviewing key points.

Final thoughts

Studying can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, it becomes manageable—and even enjoyable. Remember, it’s not just about acing assessments but also about developing habits that serve you in the long run. So, take a deep breath, plan effectively and believe in yourself. You’ve got this!

Hijab studies BSc Accounting & Finance in Pakistan.