Tips for studying at work?

Question

Hi guys,

I have a very demmanding job and I haven´t been able to study as I expected. Mainly because I´m too tired to study at night or arriving to the office very early. But I found that I had some free time during the day. I was thinking on taking advantage of these holes on my schedule and study for the Examn.

Have you tried? Any tips?

Thanks

ss4689 · Answer

In the same boat..demanding work and family. I block 11 -12.30 and 4 - 5.30. This allows to get work activities packed with in other work hours (7-11 & 1-4). Need to stay disciplined; it works for the most part. Get at least 1.5 - 2.5 hrs of study time. Good luck.

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Sent from my iPad using GMAT Club Forum

mbafinhopeful · Answer

I faced the same issue. I laid out a study plan which I intended to stick to, but unfortunately my job can be more demanding on some of the days of the week than the others. Initially I used to keep the pdf on my phone open with a notepad and a pen, and whenever I get free time (even 5-10 mins) I solve quant problems and SC, the reason I don't do RC/CR is because they require at least 5-10 mins of uninterrupted focus which is practically very difficult to find. Another thing I realised was that I get home totally worn out, so instead of beating myself to death after work I chose to do some light work like AWA or MBA admission Essays or just simply do some outside reading to improve my general English (I'm non-native), and work on serious topics early in the morning - I wake up at 4:00 AM and study till 7:00 AM, and on the weekends I study as much as I can. Just remember that how much time we spend studying/practicing is less important than what we learn out of those exercises. Good luck.

MarkHanna · Answer

Any tips with respect of telling your boss and come cold turkey about your aspirations of doing an MBA?

ramblers · Answer

Yeah...don't.

If you get caught like I did, you're considering doing a part-time or EMBA.

MarkHanna · Answer

Oh man...

The thing is that where I work they can sponsor you, but since I'm new, I don't know when to tell them... at the time I got accepted or well before.

ramblers · Answer

I would wait until you get accepted and then talk to HR before your manager.

I don't care how "good" of a manager you have. An MBA will detract from work and they will be suspicious of you aiming for a different position post-MBA. It is their job to maintain status quo, and you telling them you are going to pursue the MBA will rock the boat.

Stay the course, get your GMAT done / applications lined up, and tell HR when you have something of substance to tell them.

MarkHanna · Answer

Thanks for the advice!

I'm usually studying before work at the office (when no one is around), but I'm worried of getting caught one day at night in a meeting room (I study with my laptop and a notebook). Like, what excuse could I say? (I work long hours so is not unusual being at the office at that time, but still). Preparing for something else? Changing environments because is quieter? I'm clueless.

I say this because I don't have so much free time. If I have a rough week (staying at 11-12am), I will usually go to bed and won't study in the morning, because I will be exhausted... so my plan is to study during office hours and usually when most of the teams are gone but not mine, for example.

I would love some input or advice guys.

Thanks.

sateesh611 · Answer

I usually study after work ( Staying late at work). I dont have a problem with my manager as I explained him my long term goals and How gmat would help me out. Its no different than taking Online courses in your field. My commute is long (1 hour) and I feel tired after coming home, so I try to study at work for 90 minutes and then try to study for another 30 minutes when I get back.

HKD1710 · Answer

Hi All, Most of us target to study for 2 hours per day. But those 2 hours needs to be solid study. Still when it is tough to get two things going toether then we need to balance out things. Try the followings: 1. Decide which one is better - Work for 9-12 hectic office hours and then study for 2 hours or do the vice versa? i think latter is better. "Give GMAT the best time of a day". 2. Revising is much more important than studying the new stuff every time. So utilize the time in office to revise the notes/error logs/flash cards. It is better to keep them all online. Use Smart phone with bigger screen. 3. As READING is much needed for RC - Read the Articles on your laptop or desktop. None would find out why are you reading a particular article. 4. While Travelling for long hours, again revise the stuff/do Reading. If looking at phone and screen has pained your eyes, you may keep the things recorded which you want to memorize. It can be anything random: an idiom or formula or even a mistake that you make again and again. Conclusion: Study for solid 1 or 2 hours everyday when you're not tired or sleepy. In other times do the REVISION. So that you do not burnout with a lot of information in your head, Do a little meditation. All you need to do is - "Sit silently with eyes close for sometime" That's it! Study might be less but needs to solid. ABOVE everything - HEALTH comes first! Hope it helps

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