How to Survive Business School

Hey Guys!  We have our first Guest Contributor! This first post is about the Business School experience from PMA who is currently enrolled in an Australian University.  If you have been considering going to Business School, check out our post on the MBA that can help in the decision process. Enjoy the post!

Dear Postgrad,

If you’re reading this, you have probably expressed some curiousity about continuing your education and pursuing an MBA. For myself, this initial curiousity has transformed into a long term commitment to business school.

Basically, I work at a company that values people who can count (they are a very sophisticated company, as you can tell) and I manage a department that is devoted to letters, shapes and colors.  If I wanted to be taken seriously and to rotate into a new role, function or an entirely different career path, I knew I would have to enhance my skill set and submit to the discipline of numbers.  With that goal in mind, it took me less than a week to decide on which Business School I wanted to attend. In my head, I kept saying “if I don’t do this now, I never will!” And it was that and courage (or youthful exuberance!) that got me through the assessment and application process.   My current circumstances also played a part in leading me to choose an MBA program conducted at an international campus of an Australian university.  This setup allows me to work full time, travel and attend block sessions, tutorials, and group meetings during evenings and weekends.

In theory, it’s a great idea. However, my Outlook Inbox and Calendar say otherwise. Before business school, I worked hard and went out with friends several times a week, enjoyed the retail experience extensively, picked up new hobbies randomly and traveled on a whim.  Now, I still work hard, run to class or group meetings which last until late in the evening, research or write until early morning, and stumble back into work the next day, venti triple shot in hand.  And surprisingly, I don’t mind.

In fact, going to business school was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made. As a manager, I have to actively reassess strategies and tactics. Since I’ve completed math subjects like Accounting, Data Analysis & Data Management, Economic Management & Strategy, and Managerial Finance, I’ve learned to do the research, crunch the data, analyze the results and combine the information with my team’s experience to justify or support new projects and initiatives.  I’m currently enrolled in an International Managment class that is particularly focused on the dynamics of cultural dimensions.  Simply put, we’re learning how to lead, manage, and motivate people of different nationalities and with different backgrounds by understanding how their culture and values have shaped their behavior and how they view the world. And since our class is so culturally diverse, the real learning comes from the lively discussions and exchange of knowledge in class and group meetings.

Which brings me to the other awesome thing about business school. The people. I have met some of the most amazing and inspiring professors and students in this program.  They are brilliant, worldly, passionate and committed to such a wide range of projects, causes and interests that I am humbled on a daily basis.  Almost everyone I have met has been generous with their time, resources, expertise, and knowledge and it is for all of these reasons that I am grateful.  Some of my best memories include unique class presentations, university events, late night gatherings over food and beer, 2 a.m. random YouTube video screenings using a projector, and a constant stream of jokes that are probably only humorous to sleep deprived grad students. Oh, and the extensive alumni network doesn’t hurt either.

As great as business school is, I’ve learned that there are several key factors to success and survival.

• Manage your time well – This tops the list especially if you’re a working student. 24 hours never seems enough so I had to learn to multitask better and to cut down on procrastination. FYI – mainlining the energy drinks will only get you so far.
• Prioritize – I’ve since realized that I can’t be everything to everyone so I’ve come up with an easy way of deciding how to prioritize the endless stream of tasks, requests and obligations that typically flow into my life - I simply do it, delegate it, or dump it.  And when that doesn’t work, I call my mom for help.
• Develop the discipline – To think in a framework, research thoroughly, double/triple check the numbers, read the “suggested references”, start assignments early and complete them on time, cite all sources, show up for class early, engage other students in class or group discussions, go beyond the call of duty, the list goes on…
• Be responsible – The world doesn’t stop just because you hole up in your room to crank out a paper or you hibernate to catch up on much needed sleep.  I had to remind myself to pay my bills and tuition on time, save so I can afford to do so, spend time with my family, meet up with old friends for casual dinners, buy groceries, do the laundry, get a hair cut, hit the gym or go running, take the dog to the vet, go on the occasional date, etc.

Overall, the pros of business school outweigh the cons.  I’m halfway through the program and enjoying almost every minute of it. I recently read an Art Turock quote that sums it up quite nicely: “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”

Best of luck to you!