Many students find it difficult to successfully apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, which emphasizes the need for innovative teaching methods that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. While traditional lab activities offer structured guidance, they often fall short in simulating the complexity and urgency of real-life scenarios leaving students unprepared for high-pressure situations. This study investigates the effectiveness of a time-sensitive, challenge-based lab setting intended to replicate real-world problem-solving scenarios for first-year students studying Network and Telecommunication Engineering. To simulate industry expectations, students participated in a network troubleshooting scenario in which they had to identify and resolve network connectivity issues within a limited timeframe. Performance assessments, observations, and student comments were used to gather data on learning outcomes, problem-solving efficiency, and engagement. Based on the results, students demonstrated improved troubleshooting skills, greater adaptability, and increased confidence when handling challenging tasks under time pressure. These results indicate that students' ability to apply theoretical concepts in real-world situations can be significantly enhanced through integrating challenge-based learning with real-world urgency, which will eventually better prepare them for challenges in the workplace.

Keywords: Education, Innovative Teaching Methods, Gamification, Challenge Based Learning.