Learn how Penn State sophomore and Campus Club ambassador Abbas Peera juggles classes, exam prep, and internship interviews with a few simple strategies.
As a student and an incoming actuarial professional, managing classes, studying for exams, and preparing for interviews can feel overwhelming. But with the right planning and scheduling, succeeding at all three is very manageable.
Build Your Calendar Before the Semester Starts
Before the semester even begins, enter all your classes into both your phone and laptop calendar, including times and locations. That way, you get a notification before every class, no matter how busy things get, and you'll always show up with time to spare.
During the first week of classes, pull up each professor's syllabus and note cancelled classes, exam dates, and assignment due dates. Add all of it to your calendar so you stay ahead from day one.
During the first 3–4 weeks of studying I found it most helpful to spend 1–2 hours a day on studying.
Create a Study Routine That Scales with Your Exam Date
Once your school schedule is locked in, it's time to build your exam study plan. A study subscription like Coaching Actuaries makes it easy to integrate studying into your existing schedule.
In the early weeks, 1–2 hours a day is enough to absorb the fundamentals. As your exam date approaches, ramp up to 3–4 hours per day focused on practice problems and full exams. That shift is what solidifies your understanding and gets you across the finish line.
Connecting with upperclassmen in your actuarial club is one of the best moves you can make.
Lean on Your Network for Interview Prep
Interview prep is probably the most demanding of the three. It takes both time and repetition. Connecting with upperclassmen in your actuarial club is one of the best moves you can make to accomplish this. They've been through it, they tend to be generous with their time, and mock interviews with people who know the process will do more for your confidence than any guide.
The Right Tools and Connections Make It Manageable
Classes, exams, and interviews each demand real attention, but none of them have to compete with the others. Build a solid calendar, study consistently, and invest in the relationships around you. The infrastructure you put in place early is what keeps everything from piling up at once.
With the right scheduling and right connections, balancing these three tasks can be much easier to manage.
About the Author
Abbas Peera is a sophomore at Penn State University studying actuarial science in the Smeal College of Business. He has passed both Exam P and Exam FM using Coaching Actuaries and currently serves as director of communications for the Penn State Actuarial Science Club. Abbas is also an incoming intern at The Cigna Group.