This article focuses on the difficulties master's students of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) encountered when practicing academic writing and doing self-assignments (such as their personal thesis or other degree-mandated papers), as well as the strategies they used to overcome those difficulties. Data were gathered using a survey. The results, which are based on 64 participants, show that master’s students have had various difficulties in completing their self-assignments.  This study raises a few issues to address these students' particular demands in terms of their academic writing backgrounds and to guarantee their academic success. The authors suggest that the implementation of assessment criteria will facilitate master's students in completing their self-assignments and succeeding in their degrees.