Many questions in my school-experience survey concerned difficult courses, consistency, limited time and disappointing results. In this second session, I answer questions 11–20 with practical steps you can adapt.
Questions have been lightly edited for clarity while preserving each student’s concern. These answers reflect my educational experience and are not a substitute for advice from your lecturer, academic adviser, counsellor or financial-aid office.
Q11: How can I balance schoolwork and programming?
Question (lightly edited): My biggest challenge is balancing schoolwork with programming. I’m a techie. How can I manage both?
Answer: Start by deciding what requires your attention now. Your priorities may change during the semester: schoolwork may take more time around tests and examinations, while a break may give you room for a larger programming project.
You might reserve weekdays for classes and assignments, then schedule two focused programming sessions at the weekend. Put both commitments on a calendar, allow time for sleep, and review the plan weekly. During a demanding academic period, reduce the scope of your tech work rather than trying to do everything at once.
Q12: How can I improve in mathematics while dealing with financial difficulty?
Question (lightly edited): I struggle with mathematics and physics, especially when studying alone, and I also face financial difficulties. What can I do?
Answer: Although you will sit many examinations alone, you do not have to learn alone. Use worked examples, tutorials, study groups, office hours and reliable video lessons. Combine my YouTube lessons with your course outline and your lecturer’s methods.
For mathematics, identify the first step you no longer understand. Return to that topic, study one example, close the solution and try a similar problem without looking. Mark the exact point where you get stuck and take that question to a classmate or tutor.
Financial pressure can affect concentration. Ask your institution about bursaries, emergency funds, work-study roles and payment arrangements. Explore scholarships and flexible part-time work, but consider the effect on your studies. Use official scholarship pages and never pay someone who promises an award.
Q13: Can I catch up in mathematics and chemistry?
Question (lightly edited): I have trouble understanding mathematics and chemistry. Can I still catch up?
Answer: Yes, improvement is possible with a clear plan and regular practice. Mark each syllabus topic as comfortable, uncertain or not understood. Begin with the prerequisites, use free lessons, including those on my YouTube channel, then solve questions yourself. A lesson may seem clear even when you cannot reproduce the method. Practice is the test.
Q14: How can I make studying a habit and understand what I read?
Question (lightly edited): I find it difficult to sit down and read. When I do, I sometimes do not understand the topic. How can I overcome this?
Answer: Make the time, place and first action specific. Instead of planning to “read later,” decide that at 7 p.m. you will sit at your desk, put your phone away and answer five questions. Start with 25 focused minutes if a long session feels impossible.
Do not measure a study session only by pages read. Pause after a section and explain it in your own words, write what you remember without the book, or answer a practice question. If you cannot explain an idea, check whether a missing foundation is blocking you. Then review that foundation or ask for help.
Q15: Why does it take me longer to understand things?
Question (lightly edited): I feel as though my brain is slow. It takes me longer to understand material, and that is frustrating. How can I tackle this?
Answer: Needing more time does not define your ability. Your study method, background knowledge, workload, sleep or environment may need attention. Longer hours are not always the answer.
Work in shorter, focused sessions. Break a topic into small parts, retrieve it from memory and revisit it over several days. Record mistakes and protect your sleep. If concentration or processing difficulties persist and affect daily life, speak with a qualified health professional, counsellor or your school’s learning-support service.
Q16: How can I rebuild my mathematics and physics foundation?
Question (lightly edited): I had little support in secondary-school physics and still struggle with mathematics and physics. I am willing to learn. What should I do?
Answer: Begin where the gap began. Work through the relevant secondary-school syllabus topic by topic. In physics, connect each formula to its meaning, units and a simple example. Practise the algebra needed for each physics topic instead of treating the subjects as unrelated.
You have passed important examinations and gained admission, evidence that progress is possible, though not guaranteed. Use clear video lessons, attend tutorials and take specific questions to a lecturer or capable study partner. Ask, “Why is this step valid?” rather than copying the answer.
Q17: How can I understand FEC and draw faster?
Question (lightly edited): How can I understand FEC better? I also find it hard to finish drawings within the allotted time.
Answer: Seek help from an FEC tutor, lecturer or student who has performed well in the course. Bring one attempted drawing so the person can identify where you lose time or misunderstand the method.
Speed usually follows correct repetition. First practise without a strict limit, focusing on sequence, accuracy and labelling. Then time individual stages before attempting a complete drawing under examination conditions. Use the marking guide where available, learn which steps earn marks and allocate time accordingly.
Q18: How can I manage university distractions and find scholarships?
Question (lightly edited): University has many distractions, and I struggle to read and concentrate. I want to overcome the obstacles, do well and find scholarship opportunities.
Answer: There is no secret that removes every distraction. You can, however, make distraction less convenient. Study in a quieter place, switch off nonessential notifications, use a website blocker if necessary and tell friends when you will be unavailable. Choose one task for each session. “Complete questions 1–10” is easier to act on than “study all evening.”
For scholarships, check university and government portals, professional associations and established foundations. Record eligibility rules, documents and deadlines. Prepare your transcript, identification, CV and personal statement, then tailor each application. Verify offers through official sources and be cautious with requests for payment or sensitive information.
Q19: Can an average student recover after a poor semester?
Question (lightly edited): I entered university eager to succeed, but now I worry that I cannot make it. My last-semester result may show that. I want to make my family proud, but I do not know what to do.
Answer: One semester’s result does not settle your academic future. Review each course and identify what contributed: missed classes, weak foundations, late preparation, ineffective methods, health problems or too many commitments. Be honest without insulting yourself.
Attend classes and tutorials, start assignments early, practise with past questions where permitted, and meet your academic adviser to understand your options. Set a realistic target for the next assessment rather than carrying the pressure of pleasing everyone at once. If the disappointment feels overwhelming, speak with someone you trust or a counsellor. Support is part of a sensible recovery plan.
Q20: How can I keep a study schedule and understand material faster?
Question (lightly edited): How can I maintain a study schedule and improve how quickly I understand and remember material?
Answer: Build a schedule you can repeat. Include classes, travel, meals, rest and responsibilities before adding study blocks. Give each block a clear task and leave time for unfinished work. If you miss a session, move the task and continue.
To understand more efficiently, strengthen the basics, test yourself instead of repeatedly rereading, space your review across several days and practise the type of problems you will be asked to solve. Time yourself only after you can complete the work accurately. Progress may be gradual, but a method you can sustain is more useful than a punishing timetable you follow for two days.
Final thoughts
Most academic problems become more manageable when you define the exact difficulty and take one concrete step: attempt a question, review a prerequisite, ask for feedback or protect a focused hour. Discipline matters, but so do rest, good methods and timely support. Adjust the advice here to your course requirements and personal circumstances.
If you want structured learning support, explore my courses. For questions about available support or programmes, use the contact page.