How do you cope with the increased stress of an MBA?

Answer 1

First, realize this is not particular to you. Most of us who have gone through graduate work, have gone through the same thing. When I look back on it, most of the stress was self inflicted, it accomplished nothing, and is was overall unnecessary and I went through it as a full-time student, while working full-time (not recommended). My first recommendation is to go through this with an appropriate sense of humor. Humor goes a long way. Second recommendation is to eliminate procrastination. When I was going through graduate work, I would procrastinate the inevitable. I didn't want to deal with the stress so I put off doing the work, which just increased stress. For example, "I'll sit down with it at 11:00am." When it came close to the time I would say to myself, "Oh, I'll sit down with it at 2:00pm, that will be enough time." So, you can see how this went. Do not procrastinate the work. Third recommendation do not study for hours on end with no break. Work for 45 minutes to an hour then take a short break. Go have a cup of coffee, play with the dog, have a snack. When you get back to the desk things that were confusing before become suddenly clear. It tends to refresh the mind. Next recommendation, if your have trouble understanding something, get help as soon as possible, whether through another student, professional, faculty member etc. Last recommendation, is to take a positive attitude. Attitude is everything!