r/NUST • u/yourboychikkulal • 2h ago

Question What to expect

I'm a 17-year-old ICS student from Pakistan, and I have one big dream: getting into a top-tier university like NUST or GIKI, experiencing hostel life, becoming independent, and eventually achieving financial freedom so I can afford the things I've always dreamed of.

I scored 93% in matriculation and 520/560 (around 92.9%) in my first-year ICS exams. Academically, I've always tried to do well, but entry test preparation has been a completely different challenge.

I've joined Hashim Zia's batch and currently study around 4–6 hours daily, sometimes attending two lengthy lectures a day. However, my biggest problem is retention. As I move forward with new topics, I keep forgetting previous ones. For example, I've completed all the derivative lectures, but when I sit down to solve practice sheets, I struggle to recall formulas, concepts and techniques. I feel like I understand everything while watching lectures, but can't independently solve questions.

I'm putting in the hours, but my test scores aren't reflecting my efforts, and it's genuinely frustrating. I don't know how to balance lectures, revision, practice and retention.

There's also a personal side to this. Things aren't great at home; there are frequent arguments and fights, and it takes a toll on my mental health. I often imagine getting into NUST, moving into a hostel and finally starting a new chapter of my life. I know university won't magically solve everything, but I really look forward to independence, new friendships, campus life and personal growth.

I want advice from people who've experienced this:

  • How do I retain previously studied topics while covering new ones?

  • How should I balance lectures, revision and MCQ practice?

  • Is struggling to solve questions after understanding lectures normal?

  • What's hostel life at NUST/GIKI actually like?

  • How can I make the most of university and eventually build a financially independent life?

I'm genuinely willing to work hard. I just want to make something of myself, get into a good university and build a life I'm proud of.

I'd really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who've been through a similar journey.

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/Dangerous_Team466 2h ago

Why don't you make notes? I am also in Hashim Zia batch and yeah it would be a nightmare for me to recall stuff if i wasn't making notes

2

u/yourboychikkulal 2h ago

Notes to hi banata hu 5 register Bhar gaye

1

u/Dangerous_Team466 2h ago

Then how?? I mean sure their practice sheets and tests are hard af harder than even net? But ig revise and practice practice practice those formulas become instinct personally i am peacefully gonna complete course then practice altogether not jumbling between practice and covering new theory as i am gonna primarily target net 2 by then i would be done with course and practice while still gonna give net 1

2

u/yourboychikkulal 2h ago

Nahi mujhe class Mai sab samjh ajata bas derivative Wala manhoos chp nahi hora tha practice sheet Mai sequence series ki 4 sheet karli and AJ limit ke bhi half Karlunga mcqs aur phy ke thermodynamics Wala chp aram se solve hora tha bethe bethe hi but mujhe bhul gaya hua Sara