Life Balance Key to MBA Success

You've found an MBA program that matches your professional goals, but what about your personal needs? Balancing life, work, and educational demands can be tricky, but it's important to your overall success.

By Karen Lawson
karen.lawson@mba-business-schools.com
MBA-Business-Schools Columnist

You’re a working professional with a family and never enough hours in the day. You’re looking for an MBA degree program that matches your professional goals. Achieving a reasonable balance of personal life, work, and education can be challenging, but it’s worth it.

Graduate study demands plenty of time for research and writing. If you are earning your MBA online, you’ll spend hours using your home computer. This requires quiet time and dedication. You’ll want to schedule study time with some flexibility to accommodate family needs or changing priorities.

Discuss your MBA program with your family, and ask for their support and understanding during ‘crunch” times. Guard against overload. If you need a break from study, take it. Burnout can cause you to lose focus. Losing sight of other important aspects of your life can cause major problems.

Have a plan for completing your MBA degree. You can get a program worksheet from your academic advisor or online. Pay close attention to course prerequisites, and map out a tentative schedule of courses.

A significant part of a good plan is its flexibility. If you find that you’re taking too many courses, cut back and revise your plan. If you’re stressed out to the point of having family and work problems, it’s time to reconsider your plan.

A major part of stress related to academic study is time management. Keep your study calendar up to date, and keep your study materials organized. Listen to your inner voice, and be realistic. Maintaining a healthy balance in your life is an essential aspect of earning your MBA degree.

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include topics in postsecondary education and the arts. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Posted on February 12, 2007 at 01:49 PM

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