She has three year 12 exams next week but will put her school studies on hold when Canberra United clash with Melbourne City at McKellar Park on Sunday.

The 18-year-old midfielder will wear her school uniform for the last time on Friday, but the most important lesson she's eager to learn is gaining three points for Canberra United.

"I have been choosing football over school but it's hard to focus on studies and also getting three points on the weekend," Hughes said.

"[Canberra United coach] Heather [Garriock] and my school have been great with managing my load, classes and extra study. I haven't been too stressed but it's definitely been tricky.

"I'm [at football] nearly every day of the week, it's usually in the middle of the day and that's when my classes are on. I'm missing quite a bit.

"There's times when I've finished training, got changed straight away and gone straight to school. Then I've got to fit in eating and sleeping."

Hughes is no stranger to the workload having signed with the W-League club as a 15-year-old star from Canberra United Academy.

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The learning content has become harder but the juggling act has become easier to manage with less classes on her timetable.

The talented teenager will sit her human biology, exercise science and sports development papers next week and has already been accepted to study at the University of Canberra for a Bachelor of Exercise Science.

Hughes is unsure whether she'll begin her tertiary education next year but will focus on pursuing her football career regardless.

"I want to focus on having a good W-League season first then see if that opens up opportunities," Hughes said.

"Being able to fully focus on football will just make me a better player and maybe make more teams and pursue football opportunities.

"[Finishing] school is a big relief because the last few years has been tricky balancing football and school. It'll be good to finish that part of my life and focus a bit more on my football."

Australian women's football as progressed significantly in recent weeks with the new collective bargaining agreement, which will see the top-paid Matildas earn the same amount as the Socceroos for their international duties.

Many Australian players spend the W-League off-season gaining experience in competitions overseas, such as the National Women's Soccer League in the United States.

Hughes would love the chance to play in the English Super League but says she'll settle for any opportunities that arise overseas.

"I'd love to play football in the United Kingdom, I'm a big Liverpool supporter so it would be cool to play for their ladies' team," Hughes said.

"It's everyone's dream to play for the Matildas but anywhere overseas would be awesome.

"Football is becoming more of a career where you can live off the financial aspect of it, which is really great for the young players coming through who don't have to worry about having a proper education or other jobs on the side.

"Being able to pursue football as a professional athlete is really good for women's football."

Hughes will be tested against two international midfielders in Emily van Egmond and Japan's Yukari Kinga when Canberra clash with City.

New Zealand international Rebekah Scott and Aivi Luik have been injected into the star-studded City outfit, joining Egmond, Kinga, Lydia Williams, Kyah Simon, Steph Katley and former Canberra player Ellie Carpenter.

"Melbourne City being a full-strength side will be a test to see where we're at as a team," Hughes said.

"They have quality all through their backline and midfield but I'm not focused on who I'm playing against.

"I'm focused on doing my job to help the team and doing it to the best of my abilities to get the three points. We've been working really hard and I don't see why we cant snatch points."

Canberra: 1.Annalee GROVE (gk), 2.Laura HUGHES, 3.Kaleigh KURTZ, 4.Jessie RASSCHAERT, 5.Nikola ORGILL (c), 6.Emma STANBURY, 7.Simone CHARLEY, 8.Olivia PRICE, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Camila PEREIRA, 15.Ashlie CROFTS, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18.Taren KING, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 21.Rebekah HORSEY, 23.Lauren KEIR

Melbourne: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Chelsea BLISSETT, 6.Aivi LUIK, 7.Steph CATLEY (c), 8.Nia STAMATOPOULOS, 9.Claire EMSLIE, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 15.Emma CHECKER, 16.Sofia SAKALIS, 17.Kyah SIMON, 20.Milica MIJATOVIC, 21.Ellie CARPENTER, 23.Melissa HUDSON