How to manage time successfully during an MBA?
The transition from being a full-time worker to a full-time MBA student in a matter of weeks is not easy, or at least it wasn’t for me. The fact that I had less than a month since I was accepted to arrive in Mendoza for orientation week was not the perfect situation. Furthermore, I had to quit my job in Spain, do all the paperwork to study in the USA, look for housing, prepare the travel and so much more. However, the transition is not easy for several reasons beyond the logistics. Let’s talk about time management as an MBA.
The first general barrier that most MBA students face in the first weeks is the changes in schedule, time demands, and the general mindset. Apparently, we had all day to go to a few classes, do some work, and enjoy student life. However, student life is not the same as being a freshman in college as being a graduate student.
Once the rhythm was set, the syllabus was copied in the calendar (to be sure not to miss a thing), and the classes were at full speed is where the real challenge began. I discovered that there were many more things that needed to be done and there was barely time to do them all. I had not made time for grocery shopping, cooking, or doing the laundry. Even the time to walk from the dorm to the classes had to be considered! To top that, my head was hurting all the time as I had to think and process everything in English; meaning that sleeping was a must. I needed to rest if I wanted some energy for the following day.
There were also the team works, that were difficult to schedule, and then lasted for hours. Definitely, these teams are a learning experience as we had not chosen them, and we had to collaborate with different people in an efficient way in a matter of days to deliver the papers having a variety of experiences, pieces of knowledge, and expectations.
As days turned into weeks, then into months I was able to get into the proper flow. By the end of the first year, I was at ease with student life. So much time and energy spent on adapting!. I believe there should be a better way to get things done, have meaningful learning, and enjoy student life.
How to apply my experience
Several years later I have cocreated STUDEAM including all the teachings I learned during the two years of my MBA. It is a unique tool to help students to plan ahead of time all the different tasks that need to be done to succeed in High School, College, or Graduate programs. This is what I wish I had available to manage so many things at once in those challenging times I was describing. I hope it is not too late for you and you can benefit from STUDEAM. It’s worth giving a trial, especially as we offer full 15 days for free.