If you’re a mum or dad who’s studying for your MBA, you probably have your work cut out for you right now. Juggling work, a degree, and looking after little ones is a lot of hard work, and in order to make it work out, there’s a lot of planning and preparation that needs to be done. In order to succeed with all three it’s important to get the balancing act just right. However, this can be a tricky endeavour. We’ve put together some top tips to help you make it work.
Study Online
First and foremost, studying for your MBA online is definitely one way to make things a little easier for yourself. Is an online MBA worth it for moms and dads? Most certainly, as it leads to the exact same qualification as campus-based programs and will make you an eligible candidate for the best MBA career opportunities.
Online study is mainly conducted from home, giving you full control over when and where you commit to your education, rather than having to follow a class schedule. This creates the perfect alternative for busy parents, who can then study at more convenient times for them, for example in the evening when the children are in bed as opposed to 9AM classes.
Have Your Own Space
If you choose to stay at home and study online, it can be a great opportunity to make sure that you don’t miss out on all those important moments as your children grow up. However, as a student, you’re also going to need some peace and quiet as you study for your MBA. Because of this, designating a room in your home that’s yours and yours alone when you study is a good idea. If you don’t have a spare room to use as an office, a good idea is to use your bedroom or another room where you won’t be distracted for a few hours. Or, if studying at home proves too distracting for you, you might want to find somewhere to study elsewhere, for example a local coffee shop or your town library.
Plan Ahead
Juggling your degree with the responsibilities of being a parent can become very stressful, and having solid plans in place will help you to keep your stress levels as low as possible, something that’s very important when it comes to your performance, as too much stress could badly impact your grades. Planning ahead for things such as arranging a babysitter, applying for financial aid, or changing your hours at your job will not only give you peace of mind – getting things done early also gives you much more breathing space to find alternatives if things do go wrong.
Earning an MBA can be the perfect way for parents to increase their income and give their family a wonderful life. But, studying for your MBA whilst looking after little ones can be a tricky plight! These top tips will help you to fit studying into your busy family life.