I had my first class last night. Didn't go too horribly, but I can already tell that this is going to be a busy semester. I have to miss the last two weeks of classes (with one week being finals) because of a work trip, so I need to make sure that I don't procrastinate this semester. This will probably be a boring post, but I figured that you guys could keep me on track if I don't do something on my list below. Please help me keep track of myself!
Yes I don't want to go (of course I don't want to go!), but it's nice to know that after this semester I'm SO close to getting my MBA (2 classes after this semester). It will be so nice to finally be done and not have to worry about homework and school, and just fully focus on my career.
I've had people ask this before, and yes I have full-time job in the financial industry as an analyst, and I'm attending MBA courses full-time, it's not fun, but I'm the type of person who likes to be done with things quickly. I've done this throughout undergrad, and I've been doing this during my whole MBA program. I've also had people ask me if I retain anything from my classes (since I'm moving through them so quickly), and yes I do. I actually learn a lot in my grad classes (much more than undergrad I would say).
Do any of you work full time and attend classes full time? Or are you just extremely busy to begin with? What do you do to manage your time better? I'm sure I and everyone else will benefit from any tips!
I need to really focus this semester, and I have a feeling that this semester will be a good one (but really hard). I need straight A's, and not anything below (not even an A minus). I won't be getting a 4.0 GPA for my MBA career, but I'm shooting for at least a 3.8 GPA. Those A minuses really kill me when it comes to my GPA, I really wish they were worth the same amount as an A.
I have class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday right after I get out of work, from 5:30 until 10 pm. I have no time to get food after work because I have to rush to school. So I also need to make snacks in the mornings.
The classes that I'm taking:
- Commercial Banking Risk Management
- Financial Reporting Analysis
- Advanced Financial Management
- Selected Topics in Management (not sure what the topic is yet)
- Actually open my textbooks. I had a major problem with this last semester. For most of my classes, i didn't open the text book ever (not even once throughout the entire semester), and this is the reason why I didn't get straight A's.
- Follow the syllabus, and when it tells me to read something before class, actually do that.
- Spend time looking at practice questions, these aren't always a waste of time.
- Try to get to know the professors this semester, and not just run out of the classes like a mob is chasing me whenever the class is done.
- Actually study. I try to get by in my classes by not studying, but this semester my classes are tougher, so I need to study.
- Stop procrastinating. I am horrible at this. I will do anything so that I don't do school work. I will actually clean (and I NEVER do this). I also will go to the gym (hey at least I will most likely be fit this semester from all of the procrastinating!)
- Get a good planner.
- And last but not least, attend most of my classes. I have a major skipping problem. And once I get in the habit of skipping, I skip a lot. I hate admitting this, but it's true. Last semester, I went a whole month without going to my law classes. Did I have a reason for this? No. I actually got an A minus in this class, but I'm creating horrible networking by doing this.
What are you doing so that you can do great this semester?
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Lekker Leven Met Min says
January 18, 2012 at 3:35 amGood luck! If you've got a fulltime job and fulltime study, it won't be easy. For this year, I'm just trying to stick to my goals, which is enough of a challenge.
Michelle P says
January 18, 2012 at 8:00 amI hear ya on that.
GREENI$BLACK says
January 18, 2012 at 3:43 amGood checklist! I could apply that to myself for nursing school. Although I have to admit, I read some of my textbooks so much I could nearly recite them word-for-word. I need to work on keeping a positive attitude and staying committed throughout the semester. I get moments where I lose focus and dedication, and my grades suffer for it. I work part time as a lifeguard at my school's pool, and additional time as a swim coach. I would love to work full-time while in school but sometimes fear I would fall behind on my classes and become too engrossed in work. Sometimes I focus too much on everything BUT school, and it's not a good thing for me, anyways 🙂 I hear you on the A- thing, but I always thank god there are no A+'s because I would die if I had to get a 96 or higher in every class!Good luck with your semester!
Michelle P says
January 18, 2012 at 8:00 amThanks!
Live Simply- Live We says
January 18, 2012 at 4:58 amYou are so closet being done! Keep going, keep going. I think people who question if you are learning stuff in school because you are going to fast have never been to grad school. Grad work is tough, but o my gosh, how can you not learn? I was so glad to be done with my masters. It feels so good to go home and not have to study or do research
Michelle P says
January 18, 2012 at 8:01 amI'm jealous! I can't wait until it's done.
shoppingtosaving says
January 18, 2012 at 5:06 amDefinitely talk to your professors. It will give you an edge over other students. When I was in undergrad FT I worked 30 hours a week at a law firm. I also took more than 6 classes a semester, sometimes 7. I liked being busy.I plan to work FT while in law school PT. I can't do law school FT and work FT (not allowed) so it will have to do.
Michelle P says
January 18, 2012 at 8:02 amI agree, I definitely need to talk to the profs.
Tanner says
January 18, 2012 at 5:47 amI will say that the single most important item on my college career was a planner. It was one of those cheap, on sale, medium sized, cardboard paper back planners. I don't think the choice of them matters, so don't invest too much. You may not even get to use many of its features. I know I didn't. You shouldnt, actually. It's a planner, to write daily stuff, not to document the phone number of every living thing. If you use it for too much stuff, it becomes overbearing. The thing is, this planner fits in your bag or between your books, and you can quickly pull it out and use it within 5 seconds flat. I always had mine out at the start of each class, and wrote every single reminder there. Even if it was just musing. But it especially helpful with tracking homework due, exams, project meetings, etc. I didnt have one for the first 2 years of college, but I got one for the latter two and what a difference it made. It also helped me control stress, since I didnt have to think I was forgetting something. Sure, you could keep all that in your phone, but an actual planner made me more accountable, as I could go into last semesters' and see where I messed up.
Michelle P says
January 18, 2012 at 8:01 amI haven't had a planner in forever. I just need something basic like you said.
Elizabeth Rose says
January 18, 2012 at 7:35 amAll those classes sound so hard! I am taking a computer science class at the moment and it like a completely different language! Here's to getting through! x
Tracy-Girl @ Then I says
January 18, 2012 at 8:10 amI remember doing the exact same things when I was in college, I almost planned ahead to try to stay on top of things! Good luck – I am sure you will be great. Hopefully you have good professors to help you through it!
Meg {henninglove} says
January 18, 2012 at 8:52 ami did work full-time and attend school full-time and yes it is difficult but it is extremely worth it and rewarding to me. to succeed in this you need time management i couldn't stress that enough time management is key! don't skip class either because once you sip the next time it will be easier. have a friend you can call if you feel like skipping who will talk you out of it!
memory says
January 18, 2012 at 10:58 amit sounds like a tough sememster load…but i know you can do it girl. <3southernpinky.blogspot.com
Emmalee says
January 18, 2012 at 11:10 amI'm so glad I'm following your blog now! I love learning new budget tips, etc. Congrats to being so close to an MBA! Hang in there! :)~Emmaleeeverydayemmalee.blogspot.com
Christine says
January 18, 2012 at 11:20 amI work full time too and plan on starting my MBA online soon. I was really nervous but glad to see that someone else is doing it too! And like you, I'm working in my career, not just a random job, which I feel like makes it harder because I'm really dedicated to my current job. Good luck this semester!!!
Stephanie says
January 18, 2012 at 2:55 pmI think if you stick to that checklist, you'll be in good shape!I've never done full-time work and full-time grad school, but I did work full-time, hold a part-time job, and take 2-3 classes/semester for grad school. It was an online library science program through Rutgers, so the flexibility was great, but (according to a girl in my cohort who compared notes with her sister, who was doing the on-campus program) it was MORE intense than the on-campus program.The thing that really saved my butt was having a college campus nearby. There were too many distractions in my cramped, one-bedroom apartment, so I'd go to the college's library (which was open til all hours of the night and had a coffee shop, both factors were crucial to my success) to do most of my schoolwork. It helped me focus on schoolwork instead of wasting time.
Anonymous says
January 18, 2012 at 3:04 pmFull time this and full time that is saying to someone that I am a hard worker. Cool!!!!!!!!!The tip #1 is most important, #2…unless you have to meet the teacher, its a one time thing, #3 boring, but will help, #4 unless you really wanna succeed and probably a recommendation, #5 as important as the 1st, #6 important than anything in life lol, #7 I wish I was that, important, #8 attendance, very important. Buying this following during the weekend, it should help :http://www.nutrigrain.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=349And water or some type of juice.
Kendra says
January 18, 2012 at 4:58 pmNo way! 2 more classes and you have your MBA?! You go get it, girl! Awesome! Good luck this semester!
tinysarah says
January 18, 2012 at 6:03 pmHave you talked to your employer about using some of your working hours to put towards school? I did that with mine, and I can spend a bit of time each day on homework. It's made staying on track so much easier!
Shanelé says
January 19, 2012 at 1:42 amI'm not in school but most days wish I was (grass is always greener I guess). Good luck! You'll do awesome!!x ohttp://shanelesheek.blogspot.com/
Michelle P says
January 21, 2012 at 9:01 pmThanks everyone!
DNN says
June 13, 2018 at 7:37 pmI’m wrapping up a finance class now (FIN305), and it’s kicking my toosh. I had to see the tutor tonight for help on getting the #’s right on the income statement and balance sheet for 2019 as a final finance project due next week. Pray for me that I pass this course please. @ more classes until graduation then onto the MBA program. 🙂