Getting an MBA is no easy feat. It takes an abundance of ambition, drive and determination to tackle papers, projects and readings. But how do you manage your course load while maintaining a healthy personal life? Here are five tips to help students pursuing an MBA find a balance for their busy schedules.
1) Make sure you have family support before choosing to pursue your MBA
Choosing to pursue an MBA program can be a huge time and financial commitment which will undoubtedly affect not only your life, but also the lives of your loved ones and possibly your performance at work. Ensuring you have your family and even your employer’s support before you commit to a program will be essential to your work-school-life balance.
2) Schedule time for work, studies, family and yourself
Finding time for every aspect of your life can be extremely difficult, especially if you’re working on a large project for work or during finals. Scheduling your time and allocating hours to every important category of your life can help you to stay on track and force you to get your work done instead of procrastinating. Make time for your studies, but also for your loved ones and activities you enjoy to stay grounded.
3) Balance course difficulty each semester
Balancing difficult courses with easier ones each quarter will help you to control how much time you spend on your studies, therefore giving you more time for work and personal commitments. This will significantly improve your work-school-life balance. Be sure to do your research before selecting your course schedule each quarter to determine which classes require the most time. Speak with professors beforehand to get an idea of what they expect from you, and what you can expect from them.
4) Manage stress through healthy lifestyle choices
Managing your stress through healthy lifestyle choices can greatly improve your quality of life. Use your study breaks to get outside or exercise or pack healthy lunches and snacks for yourself to eat throughout your busy day at work or school. Living in San Diego affords residents numerous opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and landscapes. Take a run on the beach, a stroll through the city, a swim in the ocean or a hike in the mountains.
5) Be honest about your limitations
No matter how well you schedule your time or prepare, recognizing your limitations is essential to preventing yourself from burn out. Don’t be afraid to say no to extra work sometimes or request extensions when you know you will be busy. Be open and honest about your time commitments, and make sure you don’t overcommit to anything you might not be able to handle.