Mastering the MBA

When I completed my undergraduate degree in the fall of 2019 from UNC Charlotte, I told myself I was done with school. Finally free from deadlines, homework assignments, group projects, sleepless nights and especially those pesky final exams!

A few short years later, after obtaining work experience, becoming involved in my community and growing as an individual, I realized that I could benefit from the challenge of an MBA. I spoke to the advisors at the Belk College of Business and realized that this could be one of the best investments in myself I could ever make.

I was concerned that, due to my undergraduate degree being in Communications, I would not be prepared or at a standard to succeed in the MBA program, but this was not the case. UNC Charlotte provides all the tools their students need to thrive. Their instructors offer challenging yet engaging curriculums that allow you to dive deep and learn the material.

As I researched schools and weighed my options, I concluded that UNC Charlotte was the best choice for me as a young working professional eager for growth and opportunity. Now, as I approach my final semesters, I want to share some tips that helped me become a successful student in hopes some of my experiences can assist you in your graduate school journey.

Ask questions and be engaged

Everyone from your professors, TAs, advisors and even fellow students wants you to succeed. I never felt like I was left out to dry, especially early on when I was new in the MBA program. Advisors will have your best interest at heart, so be honest about what you want out of this program and how you can properly schedule your courses so you do not bite off more than you can chew.

Having a game plan is essential, so understand how much time you can devote and communicate that to the professionals who can assist you in setting up your goals. When you begin your semesters and something is not clear to you, such as the course material, classroom expectations, software/applications or anything else, be sure to express your concerns so you can receive the proper help and not fall behind.

I have found that creating a social circle with your classmates is one of the best tools you can have in your toolkit. Everyone in your course is there to learn, so why not make lifelong friends and learn with each other along the way?

Manage Your Time Efficiently

When I first started this program, I recalled how I managed my coursework, personal time and social life as an undergrad. I soon found out that the graduate program is a different animal, and I had to change my approach since I am now a full-time working professional and must ensure my career performance stays top tier. I analyzed and broke down my time on a sheet of paper, creating hour blocks after the workday is complete. Once the syllabus is posted and I communicate with my professors about their expected time dedication, office hours and course load, I then find the hours on the sheet of paper to continuously log exactly what I will work on during each week. Having my time organized and expectations listed out for each week, I then have goals to meet. Be sure to prioritize your mental health with scheduled blocks for you to take personal time!

Study Hard

This may seem a bit obvious, but I want to stress that studying and studying hard is essential. Sometimes homework can feel endless, the lectures seem to be confusing and your energy can become depleted. Take a deep breath and remember that everyone is in the same boat. Everyone will have a slightly different way of studying. Take the time and effort to find what best fits your style so you can ensure great habits as they breed success. During lectures, really listen and take notes because they can be crucial in your review as you can elaborate on them and ask questions if needed. Each week, as you progress through your course and learn new information, be sure to keep everything you’ve worked on as this comes in handy during study time for midterms and finals.

Be sure to create your study schedule as this will help you keep organized so you know what you need to prioritize day to day. Really dive deep into the concepts of the assignments, not just the meaning of its work. Sometimes when you open the book and see pages of information, it can become overwhelming. Take it a step at a time and really understand the reasoning behind the curriculum versus trying to memorize what you need to know for the exam. When you really study the concepts and grasp the information, it will flow much better and allow you to connect the dots chapter by chapter.

Be sure you take care of yourself

Remember who you are doing this for you and take pride in all of your hard work. Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well!