9 Time Management Tips for MBA Students

#1 One hurdle at a time

It’s easy to get excited, and even overconfident as you enter your postgraduate degree. Don’t overburden yourself in your first term. If you’re overcommitted, you may rush through your assignments and do them poorly. Take the minimum amount of credit hours allowed so you can measure your pace. If you are successful in your studies, take a heavier course load next term. Jump to 50 Best MBA Programs Online.

#2 Get your money’s worth

You are paying tuition, so make sure you are getting the education you deserve. That means putting the hours in yourself; but also, take advantage of the courseware— most online classes offer a wealth of study tools that will improve your chances at success. Also, communicate with your instructor. He or she will be willing and able to give you feedback on your work, and perhaps career advice to boot.

#3 Google Calendar

This is such a great tool for students, especially those on a self-paced learning program. Google Calendar will allow you to plug in all your important deadlines, meetings, and lectures so you don’t miss anything. Additionally, you’ll have an overview of you schedule, where you can schedule a regimen of study time, and even a little fun here and there.

#4 Rescue Time

If you’re having trouble reining in your bad habits online, consider signing up for Rescue Time. This software will show you exactly how you’re spending your time on your computer each day, and offer solutions to increase your productivity.

#5 To Thine Own Self Be True

Are you a morning person, or do you prefer to burn the midnight oil? Experience should tell you when you are at your peak. Schedule your most challenging or urgent work for the time of day that you perform best. Relegate the lighter, more enjoyable work to off-peak hours. Once you knock out the big assignments, it is actually enjoyable to stretch out and read your lecture notes.

#6 Ever Note

If your notes are always in disarray, perhaps scattered between notebooks, tablets, and documents, you might benefit from Ever Note. Here you can store all your study materials, whether you’re scanning hand-written pages, posting audio and video, or pasting links to relevant websites. Ever Note manages your notes, makes them searchable by keyword, and allows access from multiple platforms, including tablets and smart phones.

#7 Stop

Taking a break from your studies, while it seems contradictory, is crucial to doing good work. That’s because your mind needs time to reset. If you’re writing an essay, for example, you may miss some serious mistakes if you just plow through the drafting process, then reread, correct, and submit it. Instead, get a little fresh air, clear your mind, and return to the grind with fresh eyes. You’ll be amazed at what you can see after some time to regroup.

#8 My Space

No, not that Myspace. The key to successfully working at home is creating spaces where you can be productive, focused, and stay motivated. That could mean a comfortable quiet spot in your home, a library study carrel, or a cozy booth in your favorite diner. Wherever you find that space, it needs to be a cell-phone-free zone. If you’re working from your laptop or tablet, you might want to shut off your alerts as well.

#9 Rewards

A good motivating factor to help you accomplish your goals is to have reward awaiting you at the end. Whether that’s the fuzzy sweater in your Etsy shopping basket, a glass of good scotch, or tickets to a basketball game, the carrot and stick approach is pretty fool-proof.