Pursuing an online MBA has become a popular choice among students seeking to step into management careers. However, when it comes to managing time, online MBA students face challenges. Therefore, it is crucial for students as well as working professionals to adopt effective time management strategies to remain focused while studying an online MBA.
Best Time Management Tips for Online MBA Students
Time management is essential for success in an online MBA programme. It helps students meet deadlines and balance academic, personal, and professional responsibilities. By prioritising tasks, staying organised, and maintaining focus, students can effectively navigate the challenges of an online MBA programme.
Online MBA is a two-year postgraduate degree providing students with the fundamentals of business principles and management theories. Students learn from industry experts through real-world case studies, internships, and practical projects within the MBA online degree. Popular career options after online MBA are project manager, brand manager, and management consultant.
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Effective Time Management Tips for Online MBA Students
Whether you are a professional juggling multiple tasks or a student balancing academic deadlines, understanding and mastering the art of time management is crucial. Here are the effective time management tips and strategies while earning your online MBA:
The 2-Minute Rule
The 2-minute rule, popularised by productivity expert David Allen in his book ‘Getting Things Done’, suggests that tasks taking 2 minutes or less should be completed immediately. This prevents small tasks from accumulating, reducing mental clutter and thereby gaining a sense of control over their work.
ABC Method
The ABC method is an effective prioritisation technique in time management used to categorise tasks based on their level of importance. Within this method, the assigning tasks are divided into three categories: category A, B, and C.
Category A: Category A includes high-priority tasks that must be completed on time, as they have time-sensitive deadlines.
Category B: The tasks within this category are of medium importance. These have more flexibility and are not dependent on priority deadlines.
Category C: Category C tasks are low-priority and can be postponed. They are often time-consuming and may become distractions if given too much attention.
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An online MBA student should be familiar with SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. SMART goals help students improve focus and set clear goals. The following are the SMART goals:
Specific: Specific goals define what needs to be executed and what you want to achieve through the accomplished goal.
Measurable: Measurable goals allow students to track their progress, such as completing a task on time or achieving a certain exam score.
Achievable: These are realistic goals that can be attained using a student’s available resources, skills, and capabilities, ensuring they are challenging yet within reach.
Relevant: Relevant goals should align with students' overall objectives, aspirations, and values and match their long-term vision.
Time-bound: Setting deadlines for goals is essential as it creates a sense of urgency, allowing you to track progress and stay focused on achieving your objectives.
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Utilise productivity tools such as Trello, Todoist, and Tracking Time to plan tasks, organise study materials, and keep daily reminders. These tools help you stay organised, manage your time efficiently, and ensure you meet deadlines, enhancing your learning experience.
Take Care of Your Well-Being
Prioritising mental and physical health while handling multiple responsibilities will enable students to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Scheduling time for hobbies and social interactions will help reduce stress, improve focus, and boost overall well-being.
Why is Time Management Important For Online MBA Students?
Time management is essential for online MBA students, impacting their career and learning performance. Aspiring students and working professionals pursuing an online MBA must balance their time effectively to meet various work and study commitments. The following points emphasise the significance of time management in achieving success in an online MBA programme:
Maximising Learning Opportunities
Effectively managing time allows students to engage in fulfilling their online MBA learning commitments. Adopting time management strategies will enable students to engage deeply with course materials, participate in discussion forums, and interact with professors and peers.
Staying on Track and Meeting Deadlines
Online MBA courses have strict deadlines for assignments, exams, and practical projects. Without utilising proper time management techniques, students will find themselves overburdened by the workload, leading to missed deadlines and ineffective academic performance.
Balancing Multiple Responsibilities
Many online MBA students are working professionals or those who juggle multiple commitments. Balancing work, classes, and other responsibilities demands careful planning, which can be achieved by following an effective time management schedule.
Enhancing Self-Discipline
Time management techniques enable online MBA students to stay consistent, build self-discipline, overcome procrastination, and excel in both their academic and professional careers. By creating a structured study plan, setting priorities, and effectively tracking their tasks, students can maintain balance, meet deadlines, and achieve their goals with greater efficiency.
Burnout often occurs when tasks are not prioritised effectively. For online MBA students balancing personal and professional goals, burnout is common and can result in delayed tasks. Time management techniques help students prevent burnout by enabling them to allocate time for relaxation and pursue hobbies alongside their responsibilities.
Popular Colleges Offering Online MBA
Several top colleges in India offer online MBA in different specialisations. Students must visit the official website of their chosen college and enrol in an online MBA programme to fulfil their personal and professional goals. Below, we have listed some of the popular online MBA colleges in India.
Effective time management for online MBA students is important to succeed in balancing academic, professional, and personal responsibilities. By implementing strategies, prioritising tasks, and maintaining well-being, students can meet deadlines and achieve a balanced and fulfilling online MBA experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is online MBA equal to regular MBA?
A:
Both MBA programmes offer the same curriculum. However, online MBA offers more flexibility and convenience for students as compared to regular MBA courses.
Q: Who can apply for online MBA programmes?
A:
Students with a bachelor's degree can apply for online MBA courses in India.
Q: Which universities should I consider to apply for an online MBA degree?
A:
Universities such as Amity University Online, Chandigarh University Online, LPU Online, and Manipal University Online offer an online MBA degree.
Q: How to manage time as an online MBA student?
A:
Online MBA students must use productivity tools, prioritise tasks, set goals, and schedule regular breaks to stay organised and focused.
Q: Is an online MBA degree valid?
A:
An Online MBA degree valid, provided it is pursued from a UGC-accredited institution.
Both Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS) and United World School of Business (UWSB) have strong placement records in Kolkata. with specific data suggesting BIBS has a slightly higher potential higher salary package. While the UWSB provides a higher placement rate.
With an NMAT score of 205, you have decent chances in good mid-tier MBA colleges.
You may get calls from NMIMS Hyderabad or Indore, but the Mumbai core is usually slightly higher.
Colleges like SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, BML Munjal, and IBS Hyderabad are realistic options.
Some reputed private B-schools may also consider you if sectional cutoffs are clear. Overall, 205 is a fair score that can lead to a solid MBA college with good planning.
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CAT does not restrict eligibility based on stream. Candidates from commerce, arts, science, engineering or any other background can appear for CAT and apply to MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other top B-schools.
The basic eligibility criteria for CAT are:
You must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC, ST and PwD categories). Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
Being a commerce graduate can actually be an advantage in areas such as accounting, finance, economics and business studies, especially during MBA coursework in finance, marketing and operations.
After qualifying CAT, admission depends on multiple factors including CAT percentile, academic background, work experience (if any), performance in GD, WAT and personal interview rounds. Many IIMs and B-schools follow a diverse academic background policy, which means non-engineering candidates, including commerce graduates, often receive additional weightage.
Apart from IIMs, several reputed institutes such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and many state and private universities also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.
So, as a commerce graduate, you are fully eligible to appear for CAT and pursue an MBA, provided you meet the minimum academic requirements and perform well in the selection process.
If you want, I can also help you with realistic CAT percentile targets based on your academic profile or suggest suitable MBA colleges.
First-year MBA fees in India vary greatly, ranging from less than rupees one lakh for government/distance programs to rupees ten to twenty-five lakhs or more for elite private B-schools (such as ISB, IIMs, and XLRI). The majority of elite private institutions charge between rupees eight and twenty-five lakh for the entire two-year program, indicating that first-year expenses are substantial.
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Transferring mid-stream from an online MBA to an offline MBA is generally very difficult and rare, requiring a fresh application and usually withdrawal from your current program. You can apply for a new offline MBA after completing your online MBA or even while pursuing it (with caution), provided your current university is recognized.
