Life for business school students could be a struggle without the ability to juggle studies and professional life. These skills are essential, and the earlier you assess your time-management style, the better equipped you will be to balance the demands of business school and professional life.
In this article, we'll explore key time management rules, discuss how business schools approach time management, and provide tips for balancing business school and professional life.
What's your time-management style?
Do you favor a methodical and organized approach or do you opt for a versatile and adjustable approach? It's important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all method, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Assessing your time-management style can help you get better at allocating time. Knowing your own style can help you prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and stay on track with your commitments.
Does your approach to time management match that of your school?
The first step in learning to manage your time effectively is to assess your time management style. One of the best and easiest ways to do so is by taking the Unimy Cultural Fit test. In filling out the 5-minute survey, you will create your unique Cultural Fit map and see how well you fit with the school of your choice.
The Cultural Fit map compares accredited business schools worldwide and describes life inside a school's community in terms of its beliefs and behaviors along six basic dimensions. One of these dimensions is called "Structured vs Flexible Organization," which reveals how faculty, staff, and students tend to deal with unfamiliar situations. By extension, this particular dimension also offers a peek into schools' time management styles. Is it more structured, or does your target school take a more flexible approach? Find out for yourself.
Take the MBA Cultural Fit Test
Time-tested time-management rules
Balancing business school and work commitments can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here are some tips to help you manage your time effectively:
Set realistic goals: Before you start your MBA program, set realistic goals for yourself. Identify what you want to achieve during your program, and break it down into smaller, manageable goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the program.
Prioritize tasks: When you have a lot on your plate, it's important to prioritize your tasks. Identify the most important tasks and complete them first. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you don't fall behind.
Create a schedule: Create a schedule that works for you. Identify when you are most productive and schedule your most important tasks during that time. Also, make sure to schedule breaks and time for self-care. Taking breaks and time for yourself will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Delegate tasks: Delegating can free up time for you to focus on other important responsibilities or high-priority tasks. You can try delegating more tasks at your job during your MBA studies to avoid feeling overwhelmed by all your responsibilities.
Manage distractions: Distractions can be a major productivity killer. Identify what distracts you and create strategies to manage those distractions. If social media is a distraction, consider deleting the apps from your phone or, in a less drastic measure, set a time limit for checking your social media feeds during the day.
Business schools and the Cultural Fit Map
Different business schools approach time management differently. A look at the schools perched on the "Structured vs Flexible Organization" graph reveals that US schools are generally more flexible than organizations in other countries. However, it's not hard to find US schools with a more structured approach and European/Asian schools that lean towards flexibility.
For instance, ESADE (Spain) and University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) are found to have a highly structured approach to learning and time management. At the same time, Berkeley Haas School of Business (US) and SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy), are on the other end of the graph, indicating a higher degree of flexibility.
Fortunately, all the aforementioned schools have part-time MBA offerings, which can be an excellent option for those who want to balance work and school.
Assess your fit for business schools
By taking the MBA Cultural Fit test, you can assess your Cultural Fit with different business schools and find a school that aligns with your preferences. Don't underestimate the importance of finding a school that matches your time management style. It can make a significant difference in your overall success and happiness in both your professional and academic life.
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