5 Key Challenges Part 3 Students Face—and How to Overcome Them

Picture this: You’re balancing a 9-to-6 job (on a good day), staying late to meet deadlines, and somehow squeezing in hours to write PEDRs and draft a case study that feels more like a dissertation. The stress is real, right?

For most of us in architecture, the Part 3 journey is like trying to climb Everest with a backpack full of bricks (and no sherpa). No wonder many students feel overwhelmed, burned out, and stuck.

But here’s the good news: You’re not alone. And more importantly, these challenges—while tough—are entirely conquerable. In this post, we’ll break down the five biggest hurdles Part 3 students face and how you can overcome them like the future architect you’re meant to be.

5 key challenges - 5 key opportunities

1. Balancing Work and Study: The Juggling Act

The Challenge

Let’s face it—trying to prepare for Part 3 while working full-time is like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Your job demands most of your waking hours, and when you do get home, the last thing you want to do is dive into PEDRs or case studies.

The Solution

It all comes down to time management. And before you roll your eyes, hear me out:

1. Time-Blocking Is Your Best Friend: Use a digital calendar to carve out specific times for study, PEDR updates, or case study drafting. Treat these blocks as non-negotiable. This might be difficult at first for some of you, but with time, it will become a weekly routine which will help after Part 3 as well.

   
   

2. Communicate with Your Employer: Most firms are supportive of Part 3 candidates. Let them know your timeline and workload so they can help lighten the load during crunch times. Depending on the company size, this might be an easy or challenging conversation. However, this is about more than work, Part 3 is about the value you will bring in the future. Therefore, doing well is to everyone's advantage.

   
   

3. Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work in short bursts—25 minutes of focus, followed by a 5-minute break. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re laser-focused. As this sounds strange, I can expand a bit. Taking breaks allows you to stay motivated, manage distractions, improve physical and mental health and manage work better by allocating specific time slots.

   
   

Pro Tip: Consider Sunday evening your “reset” time. Plan your week, schedule your study blocks, and set small, achievable goals. Part 3 should be something that you want to do, not something that you must do. Take care of yourself along the way. Like this, the studying will become more enjoyable, the workload will be more manageable, and learning will become more consolidated.

2. Navigating PEDRs: The Admin Overload

The Challenge

PEDRs can feel like the bane of your existence. They’re tedious, time-consuming, and often left until the last minute (guilty as charged!). The problem? Rushing through them often leads to incomplete or poorly aligned submissions.

The Solution

1. Keep a Weekly Journal: Every Friday, jot down the key tasks and responsibilities you handled that week. What meetings did you attend? What decisions did you influence? This makes updating PEDRs a breeze. If you are like me, constantly fighting distractions, take constant notes during your day. This will help you get a better picture when looking back on the week. Like this, you also understand where you can be more productive.

   
   

2. Set Monthly PEDR Days: Dedicate one day a month to update your PEDRs while the details are fresh. Future you will be grateful. Just do it!

   
   

3. Align with the Criteria: Review the ARB/RIBA criteria regularly to ensure your PEDRs highlight the right competencies. Think of it as target practice rather than a tick-box exercise. This will also help you after Part 3 to identify skills that you need for work and life. Knowing where you are and what you know, helps focusing on the goals ahead.

   
   

Pro Tip: Use a template to structure your entries—it saves time and ensures consistency.

3. Selecting the Right Case Study: The Make-or-Break Decision

The Challenge

Choosing a case study is no small task. It has to be complex enough to demonstrate your skills but manageable enough to complete alongside your job. And ideally, it’s a project you’ve been heavily involved in.

The Solution

1. Start with a Project Inventory: List all the projects you’ve worked on in the last two years. Identify which ones align with the ARB/RIBA criteria and where you had meaningful involvement. This might be the project you are currently on. Discuss this with your office and make sure you are choosing based on all the right criteria.

   
   

2. Prioritize Involvement Over Prestige: It’s better to choose a smaller project where you are actively making decisions than a high-profile one where you are on the sidelines. This can be easier said than done. Depending on the size of the office, this might result in shadowing a project that you are not directly involved with. So maybe the advice would sound better if put differently. Prioritise understanding a project over prestige.

   
   

3. Consult Your Mentor: If you’re unsure, talk to your Part 3 mentor or a senior colleague. They can provide invaluable insights into what makes a strong case study. If your office does not have a mentor, reach out in the comment section and we can discuss your options.

   
   

Pro Tip: Avoid overcomplicating it. A good case study doesn’t need to be groundbreaking—it needs to clearly showcase your understanding of professional practice. The point here is to learn, not to showcase the office's projects.

4. Understanding the ARB/RIBA Criteria: Cracking the Code

The Challenge

The ARB/RIBA criteria can feel like a foreign language. Students often struggle to connect their experience to the specific competencies examiners are looking for.

The Solution

1. Simplify the Language: Break down the criteria into plain English. For example, “Contract Administration” is simply about understanding and managing agreements between parties.

   
   

2. Map Your Experience: Create a grid that matches your tasks and projects to each criterion. It’s a visual way to see where you’re strong and where you need more focus. If you've done your Part 1 or Part 2 application directly to the ARB then you might have the experience of cross-referencing criteria against your experience.

   
   

3. Use Examples: Include real-world examples in your PEDRs and case study to demonstrate how you meet the criteria. Examiners love specifics.

   
   

Pro Tip: Think of the criteria as a checklist for becoming a well-rounded architect. By the time you hit “submit,” you should feel confident that you’ve ticked every box.

5. Exam-Day Jitters: The Final Hurdle

The Challenge

The Part 3 interview can feel like walking into the lion’s den. The pressure to defend your work and think on your feet often leads to nerves or over-preparation.

The Solution

1. Practice Mock Interviews: Find a mentor, colleague, or friend to run through a mock interview with you. Practice answering common questions succinctly. Think of this as a technical conversation, not as defending your work. The more open you are to the interviewer, the better you will do.

   
   

2. Use the STAR Method: Structure your responses around Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It keeps your answers focused and impactful. This needs to come naturally so refer back to point 1. Practice makes perfect.

   
   

3. Mindset Matters: Remember, the interview isn’t a test—it’s a conversation. The examiners want to see your thought process and professional judgment. You do not need to know all the answers, but you need to know where to find them. Even during the interview, take the time to look at your notes if anything is foggy. Run through your thinking process with the interviewer. Even if the answer is wrong, the thinking might just give you the right edge.

   
   

Pro Tip: Arrive early, bring a printed copy of your work, and take a deep breath before you start. Confidence is key!

Wrapping It All Up

The Part 3 journey is undoubtedly challenging, but each hurdle is an opportunity to grow as a professional. By tackling these five key challenges head-on, you’ll not only survive but thrive in the process.

Remember:

• Balancing work and study is all about planning and prioritisation.

• PEDRs don’t have to be painful—if you update them regularly.

• Your case study is your chance to shine—choose wisely.

• Understanding the criteria is the secret to success.

• Exam-day jitters are normal, but preparation makes all the difference.

At the end of the day, Part 3 is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Each challenge you overcome brings you one step closer to becoming a confident, capable architect.

And if you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry—I’ve got plenty more resources to help you along the way. The Part3Prodigy email course is coming up on Friday 6th December. I got you covered with more tips, tricks, and techniques to simplify your Part 3 prep.

You’ve got this. Now, go crush it.