Everything everyone has said is right on target so I do not have much to add but the obvious.
- along with the bright light, when modeling with PE I find having a contrasting solid color (paper or colored paper) beneath the PE makes it better pick up where the part is, and to see the tiny tabs that need trimmed off easier.
- Use a dense / firm cutting board and sharp knife blades to avoid bending the PE while removing it from its carrier. Hobby type cutting boards are easy to find at most hobby shops.
- Change your knife blades often. I buy my Xacto blades in bulk as I can easily go through 10-20 in one sitting with PE.
- Basic PE tools such as flat nose and pin point tweasers are a must. A metal straight edge rule is also valuable during some bending. Since most hard angle bending is already scoured on the PE at the bend location usually a quality flat edged tweaser can work as the lever to perform the bend accurately.
- For making round arching bends I find that using various diameters of brass, aluminim, and plastic rod spares work well to roll the PE on thus making a uniformed arc.
- take needed and sometimes frequent breaks to relax your stress level, muscles, etc. It makes the assembly and final result more enjoyable.
- if you have an unsteady hand you may want to lay the main assembly on a firm surface and then hold the part with tewasers using both hands for better stability and precision.
- If you do not already have it, I would recommend CA accelerator to cure the bond quicker. You do not need to always use the spray applicator. You can use a toothpick, or small wire to save a small drip of accelerator on its tip and allow it to touch the PE/CA bond to weld it into location. This works good for me when tacking a couple spots with medium CA cement. After initial curing add thin CA to flow across the rest of the contact point to make a stronger bond and cure it with a drop of CA accelerator.
- Thin CA will work as well as white glue to fill in areas not secured with the medium CA cement (even though it is less forgiving). While it may be more difficult to use, it can be bonded with the CA accelerator as well, which reduces the chance a PE part will shift while curing and make that stronger bond.
- Do not assume that all PE has the same qualities. What I mean is some companies manufacture thier PE very thin and fragile (difficult) to work with, while others might be thicker or more robust making it easier to manipulate without destroying the part or assembly. Much like a drummer liking a certian brand and size of stick, the same is for modelers with cement, PE, paints, PE, etc. Over time you will identify what brand(s) of PE you prefer to work with so if multiple brands are available for your kit then you can choose the PE that works better for you.
Also, like what was previously said about good lighting, vision correction or magnification, tools, methods, and experience will eventually make the PE use less challenging. Good luck and have at it my friend.