Tips for MBA study?

[strawberryshortcake2]

Am heading back to Uni at the age of 40 to (hopefully!) complete an MBA. Currently working in a professional role but one which is not usually associated with studying for an MBA. Wondering if anyone has any tips for studying/course completion, particularly around how to manage it alongside work

PhD student here + also doing full-time job. Time is your enemy.

I know a few others doing p/t Phd and those that are furthest ahead have fewer work commitments and have avoided going for promotion, new jobs etc. I've done condensed hours as I find having longer blocks of time for reading / writing to be more useful than trying to dip in at the end of the working day when I'm tired. Knowing when you study effectively is good - I can get zilch done in the afternoon and I'm better late at night. I found I was slower at learning stuff now I'm older so be kind to yourself too.

Schedule time most days for study and make it part of your routine. Have a planner of all deadlines. Plan your life around study (eg don't book a family holiday a week before a major deadline) and get family onside eg no interruptions during study time, partner if you have one takes on a bigger share of the work. You will probably need to be quite selfish so if people understand what and why, it really helps.

Familiarise yourself with task requirements and marking criteria to understand what they are looking for and look into some of the study skills for MBA books - that will save you time working out how to approach assignments etc. I've got some really good tips from these books.

I'd also throw some money at tech - I've found a fast laptop with an extension screen / extra monitor has enhanced my efficiency. Before you start your course, swot up on things like referencing software like Endnote and any specialist software you'll use. Find out what referencing system (APA, Harvard etc and what version) you will use and learn how to reference stuff properly. Youtube is good for this.

Study / writing - have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve with a task so you can focus your reading and writing / projects.

I'd also strongly advise that you block Mumsnet on your devices as I manage to procrastinate on here so much that I could have finished months ago otherwise!

Good luck!

I did my MBA whilst working f/t in a senior professional role and I echo every word sproutburger has said above.
You do have to be quite ‘selfish’ . Focussed and aware of time thieves.
I did between 12 and 15 hours of study per week, more around deadlines. I gave myself one whole day off at the weekend, which kept me going in that I knew I didn’t have that long to wait until I could rest and relax.
My partner really stepped up and took on most of the domestic heavy lifting for two years.
I loved it though. I learnt a lot about myself and made some great friends in my study group. I came out with a Distinction and two years of sacrifice has made a phenomenal difference to my earning power and progression.
You’ll never regret it. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Thank you for those tips, I was supposed to be starting my MBA this year but I've had to delay due to finances. I'm so nervous as although I'm a business owner and selling up working 2 days a week on handover for a 12 month period I'm still worried about time.

But hearing that you've been able to run senior jobs alongside makes me feel like it's achievable.

I'm 45 so will be 47 when completed and I've had a few comments about age, but I feel I still have 15-20 years to work so a career change will be fantastic on the back of my creative career.

Did anyone study at Warwick? I'm doing online but with a few residents.

Many thanks for the very useful tips, I'm trying to use the next few weeks before I officially start to tackle some of the suggestions.
Snappyoldfart not at Warwick no, will be studying at Exeter, mostly online but some residentials.

I would support everything that has been said here. Endnote is amazing. I did a PhD while working full time and I’m afraid I did 12 hour days of study on Saturday and Sunday. Whenever you finish studying leave yourself a note of what you want to do next .

@mdh2020 yes I always make a list of stuff to do tomorrow. I also do 12 h days at the weekend and have used most annual leave to study. That said, I have had a (short!) holiday every year as, especially on a part-time programme over several years, you will be working your socks off and it is possible to burn out.

I'd suggest OneNote for managing notes and saves + a well-organised filing system.

If you have residentials you will probably get a WhatsApp group or similar set up with your cohort. This is really useful.

I was a bit taken in at first by some of the louder and more confident types on my programme, who had an opinion about everything and who seemed to know a lot more than me. It did make me feel out of place and knocked my confidence. Interestingly, none of the loud ones have made that much progress and many have dropped out. I think the fact that you're seeking advice before you have started shows that you're a reflective person and an active learner, so continuing to reflect on what you have learned, where the gaps in your knowledge are, what to prioritise and how to achieve it will stand you in good stead for your programme. The prioritising part is also essential - you'll never do everything that you want to do and you'll never read everything that can be read.