Kristalyn,
For me, the whole project management process started falling into place about 80% of the way through the coursework. Before that, it was more-or-less a jumbled bowl of individual processes, forms/documents and inputs/outputs. At about 80% of the way though the lectures, the whole picture started to form and by the end, I was able to re-create the project process flow diagram from the PMBOK (6th Ed) from a 10,000 foot view. Sure, I didn't have all the ITTOs that you hear about, but those were not as important as the main steps.
I never did a "Study Hall" (I suspect that is what you mean by SH), but I did find the exam simulator harder to much harder than the actual PMI exam. I think that is a good thing because it forces you to over-prepare for the exam to some degree which will ultimately lead to passing the exam.
Good luck