Have you ever seen thousands and lakhs of students preparing for an MBA simultaneously with so much efficiency? We tell you that only a few out of these thousands of people struggle to prepare for MBA exams like CAT, GMAT, and MAT, and that too after taking professional counselling. Balancing a full-time job and preparing for an MBA can be very challenging. You need to manage your office responsibilities, commit to your preparation, solve sample papers, and dedicate yourself in general. This is where RNR Studiezs comes in for career guidance and counselling for working professionals who also want to crack MBA exams.

We believe that whether you’re looking for a career leap, a better salary or just a role switch, an MBA can help you level up in many ways. So, read on to find out what the common challenges faced by working professionals who also plan to prepare for an MBA are and how they can feel less stressed and more focused with professional help!

How an MBA Helps in Enhancing Your Job Profile?

When you are in a corporate or technical industry, an MBA degree will help you move to leadership positions. MBA helps you in the following ways:

• Career Growth:
  An MBA degree from a reputed university will help you move from executive to managerial roles and above.
• Salary Hike:
  MBA graduates get 50% or more salary hike in most corporate companies.
• Job Opportunities:
  An MBA plays a key role in opening more doors in consulting, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
• Professional Credibility:
  One of the main reasons many working professionals seek an MBA degree is that it gives them respect in the job market with a recognized qualification.
• Networking:
  MBA institutes provide you with access to a vast alumni network and professional circles.

Also read from our previous blogs: Soft Skills in Engineering: Why They Matter and How Counselling Can Help

What are the common challenges faced by working professionals while preparing for an MBA?

Working professionals face unique challenges during MBA prep. Some of these are:

1. Mental Fatigue:
   One of the most ignored or somewhat overlooked problems is mental fatigue. You keep juggling deadlines, and even focusing after office hours is difficult, eventually leading to burnout.
2. Lack of Study Resources:
   There is a reason why you should consider professional help, as relying solely on self-study without structured guidance or coaching can be ineffective. It can get tough to analyse weak areas without expert mentorship or group studies.
3. Time Constraints:
   Time is a luxury when you are trying to balance between these two. Long hours at work and unpredictable schedules can eat into study time, and sometimes weekend-only preparation may not be enough for you if you have bigger goals.
4. Exam Anxiety:
   Performance anxiety is a thing that can arise due to expectations from peers and family.
5. Inconsistent Routine:
   Now, while many working professionals have done so, many also need to travel for work, be present at office emergencies and fulfil family responsibilities, which can disrupt their schedule.

How to manage MBA preparation while balancing work?

We mentioned earlier in this blog that out of thousands of working professionals who are also MBA aspirants, only a few aspirants get to strategise and manage their study and work time. Well, it’s tough, but not impossible. When you follow these tips, you can improve your situation:

1. Create a Realistic Study Plan:
   Break your syllabus into small weekly goals. You can also use early mornings or late evenings when you feel most productive. Allocate 2–3 hours a day on weekdays and 6–8 hours on weekends for better results.
2. Use Smart Study Techniques:
   Focus on quality, not quantity. Start practising mock tests regularly and analyse your performance. This will help you focus more on the weaker sections of the syllabus.
3. Use Digital Resources:
   Use digital resources to the fullest. You can try using mobile apps like Unacademy or GMAT Club, listen to MBA podcasts, or watch topic-wise YouTube videos during your free time, such as when you're cooking or travelling.
4. Take Breaks:
   Don’t do long, extended study sessions. The Pomodoro technique is more effective for retention, as it involves 25-minute study sessions followed by 5-minute breaks.
5. Be Consistent:
   Consistency is the key! Even if you are short of time, make it a habit to study daily, as missing a day can derail your progress.
6. Prioritize Health:
   Now this is one of the most important ones! Try to sleep for at least 6-7 hours a day, eat a balanced diet, and engage in light exercise. This will not only provide your body with the energy it needs but also help you combat brain fog and enhance your overall health.

Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

Now, finally, avoid these top 5 mistakes that students make when they are working as well as preparing for an MBA:

• AVOID procrastination! Don’t keep study sessions for weekends or specific days only.
• Practising in an exam-like situation is crucial, so don’t skip mock tests or sample papers.
• Improving your resume and SOP early is important. So don’t wait or ignore your profile building if your goal is to improve your opportunities.
• Aiming for the 100th percentile in one month is a recipe for disaster, so don’t overpressurise yourself and instead have more realistic goals.
• Ultimately, don’t sacrifice your health for an MBA degree. Take care of yourself and work hard. You will reach your goals and beyond!

Taking help from professional counsellors in Bhubaneswar

Career guidance and counselling play a crucial role in building and preparing you for an MBA. So when you enrol with RNR Studiezs in Bhubaneshwar, you get the following benefits:

• Flexible batches for working professionals
• One-on-one mentorship for personalised strategy-planning.
• Mock tests in real-time for detailed performance details.
• Online learning modules with recorded sessions.
• Finally, we dedicate sessions to prepare you for interviews.

Bottom Line

As we mentioned, balancing between MBA preparation and work-life is a tough job. However, when you enrol with RNR Studiezs, you get career guidance and counselling that helps you identify your goals and achieve them one by one. So, buckle up and visit us to start shaping your future right away!

Contact us here!