Pursuing an MBA is a challenging feat, especially when you are maintaining a full work schedule at the same time. Work already demands so much of your time and energy, so how are you supposed to find the resources for studying while also maintaining your relationships, leisure activities, and all the other aspects of your life? Creating an effective work-study balance is tricky, but it is possible once you learn to manage your time and prioritize effectively. When you commit to MBA studies at International Business University (IBU), we recommend a few simple techniques and tools to help you balance work and study. These include time management, virtual study tools, good habits and self-care.
Understanding the Commitment of an MBA While Working
When you begin your online MBA program, you need to know what you are signing up for. Take the time to get a good understanding of what this commitment means and the effect it will have on your work life, personal life and daily schedule. You will need to manage your time effectively in order to complete all your coursework while still meeting all your other commitments.
The most important thing to do is to manage your expectations and be realistic about your workload and the time you have available to spend on your studies. A full-time MBA degree usually takes about two years to complete. When you opt for part-time studies, the completion time is more flexible. With some programs, you could take longer than two years, depending on your resources or availability. At IBU, the duration of the MBA program is only 16 months. In addition to knowing the duration of the course, also find out how many hours you will need to spend in classes, or how many notional hours you would normally be required to dedicate to your at-home study. You can then look at your existing work schedule and downtime, and see how you can fit your studies in. You can then set realistic study schedules and goals.
Effective MBA Time Management for Busy Professionals
Setting a part-time study schedule – and sticking to it – requires effective time management. Many people struggle in this area because it is all too easy to get overwhelmed by tasks and deadlines – especially in the absence of effective planning. The keys to effective time management are scheduling, priority setting, and incorporating plan Bs and extra time.
- Set up a schedule: You most likely will not be able to change your working hours if you are a full-time employee, so you need to find ways to fit your studies into your free time. If you have a 9-5 work schedule, you may want to block an hour or two first thing in the morning and/or in the evening. However you choose to arrange your schedule, just make sure that you have one. The trick is to be realistic: Don’t try to squeeze in four hours of study a day if that will make it impossible to maintain other aspects of your life. If you overcommit, you will soon get tired and your commitment and performance may start to suffer. On the other hand, you need to make sure that you are giving yourself enough time to complete your coursework according to your deadlines.
- Prioritize your tasks: As you begin your work/study week, make a list of all the tasks you need to complete and their deadlines. You may want to include your work and study deadlines on the same list or create two separate lists. Based on these deadlines, you can then prioritize your workload so you can complete the most urgent tasks first.
- Incorporate extra time and plan Bs: Don’t pack your schedule so that you have no room to move. Much of the time, you will find that things don’t go quite according to plan. Leave selected blocks of time open in your schedule to act as buffers if you need to rearrange your schedule. These open periods can act as a plan B when certain tasks take longer than expected.
Utilizing Virtual Study Tools for Professionals
When studying online, you have the advantage of numerous digital apps and other tools that you can use to make scheduling easier and boost your productivity. You could try using apps like Notion and Shift, which help you manage your workload and prioritize your tasks.
You will also find that you have access to a wealth of useful information to assist you with your studies, such as essay samples, writing guides, sample examination papers, and social media groups that facilitate discussion and sharing of information relating to your course.
Master Work-Study Balance with Healthy Habits
If you want to complete any long-term program like an MBA, you need to have the energy and strength to see it through. That means committing to your health and well-being. Studying, especially if you are doing it while working, can lead to fatigue and burnout. To prevent this, you will need to find ways to manage your stress and look after your physical health.
Manage your stress by setting realistic goals. Don’t overload yourself or expect yourself to meet goals that will require you to sacrifice too much when it comes to your diet, exercise regimen, or sleep schedule. It is okay to sacrifice some of these to a certain extent, in short bursts, as long as you give yourself a rest period afterwards. It is much better to incorporate rest, entertainment, exercise, sleep, and meals into your schedule in such a way that all your needs can be accommodated while still allowing you to meet your goals.
Benefits of an Online MBA Program
Why commit to an online MBA program at IBU? Our online programs give you an opportunity to earn an accredited degree while you work. With our program, you can get access to all the resources and support you will need, enabling you to pursue your studies while carrying on with your life and maintaining a steady balance of work and study. Contact us if you would like to know more about our programs and what you need to enroll for them.