In essence, you were studying by doing the assignments. I don't see this as that much different than actually "studying", i.e. sitting in front of the book and

In essence, you were studying by doing the assignments. I don't see this as that much different than actually "studying", i.e. sitting in front of the book and learning the material. You just did it an earlier stage in a piecemeal way. Most classes are designed so that if you do the work (or whatever prep) during the course of the semester, you will need little review by the time the exam comes around. Maybe you are better at not forgetting, but it doesn't seem like your learning was any better than anyone elses (except maybe about going to lecture, although I assume many people dont go to lecture if it was anything like my school).