Admittedly, part-time MBAs who work full-time are constantly stressed. Some even claim to have a base stress level of mild, which then only goes to severe or worse. MBAs under this pressure say that the key to success in life, work, and academia during this period is staying organized, being disciplined, and creating a support network. It begins simple enough: get a calendar, either physical or digital, and put down every due date for work and school and color code accordingly. This calendar provides the visual understanding to see where some sacrifices may have to be made: homework during a work lunchbreak or waking up early on weekends. Being able to physically see the scheduled day is extremely helpful and can help to keep busy MBAs on schedule.
In the case of work, if a student’s current job requires travel, talk to your manager about reducing or even eliminating this part of your work responsibilities. Lugging a suitcase to and from class to an airport only heightens stress and a domestic position can help alleviate this for the time being. In making cuts from work life, make sure to balance it with academic life, too. Don’t overload with course credits. Twelve credits is standard in college, but in business school, it’s nine so save yourself the extra headache and stick with the recommended number of course credit. As always, take time to exercise and never cut sleep out of the equation.
Unfortunately, even with all the necessary planning there will be bad days. That’s why it’s important to create a support system, whether friends or family, on those “I can’t take it anymore days.” Sometimes it might be just the simple act of asking a friend to grocery shop so that you can have those extra minutes of study, but it’s also good to have a support network established to just talk and decompress from the daily rigors of student life. Your support network will help motivate when the self no longer has the energy to.
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