Make the most of your remaining time at business school by strengthening relationships with peers and professors, says admissions experts Varsity Tutors.
Congratulations. You’re almost there, and soon your business school experience will come to an end. But with so much to do before you graduate, how can you maximize your final months?Here are four tips from Varsity Tutors, an admissions consultancy firm, to help you make the most of your time at business school:
1. Take The Classes That Interest You Most
In your first year or first few months, you most likely completed the core classes – accounting, finance, marketing, and statistics – that provided the foundation of your MBA. Your second stretch is the time to build on that foundation and to augment your skills.
Certain students consider the careers they would like to pursue, and they choose courses that will equip them for success in their post-business school positions. Others select academic areas that they know they are unlikely to explore outside a classroom setting.
Pick the courses that are correct for you at this point in time. Whatever you choose, your degree will still be as valid as your classmates’.
2. Choose Post-Graduation Paths That Are Best For You
The pressure to find not only a job, but also the right job, might be weighing heavily on you. At this stage in your MBA program, you may have explored multiple industries, attended various presentations, and visited a number of companies to help you decide where you belong.
Try to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the process. Pursue the positions that will benefit you, not just the ones to which other people think you should apply for.
Consider the location of the job, including climate and local resources. Think about how you will fit within the company, as well as within the intended department.
3. Speak With Your Professors
Your professors do more than lecture and grade your papers. They have valuable information and experiences to share – both academic and professional.
As you make crucial life decisions, having a professor as a friend or as a mentor can help provide perspective, and help you to feel better about your journey into the unknown.
4. Make New Friends And Strengthen Your Current Relationships
Continue developing your relationships with your classmates – soon they won’t be in class with you anymore. Right now, you have the unique opportunity to socialize with people from multiple backgrounds, companies, countries, and industries.
This is an opportunity that may be difficult to find once you settle into your new job after graduation. Enjoy the friends you have made during your program, and learn from them.
Also maintain the effort to keep meeting new people whenever possible. Business school offers you so many ways to enhance your life outside of the classroom. Make sure that your life is strengthened by the friendships you have made during this amazing period.
Whether you are completing a one-year, two-year or three-year program, your academic life has an expiration date. Rather than worrying about this approaching moment, let your experience be a time that you take full advantage of – with no regrets.
Mahlena-Rae Johnson is a professional GMAT tutor and contributing writer for Varsity Tutors. She received her MBA from University of Southern California in 2010 and scored a 740 on the GMAT.
Student Reviews
University of Southern California Marshall School of Business
Where dreams take flight
USC is seriously awesome when it comes to setting students up for success in their future careers. The Career Center is a total game-changer. They offer a ton of resources and support to help us find internships, polish our resumes, and connect with alumni who are doing big things in various industries. Plus, USC's location in Los Angeles means there are tons of job opportunities and internships with top companies. It's a fantastic place to learn, grow, and kickstart your career.
Diversity
University of Southern California is a particularly incredible place since everybody is truly overall quite steady. I like the variety and the feeling of home it brings to me. In addition, the professors prioritize the needs of their students, and they make USC feel like a home away from home thanks to their kindness and compassion. The campus is truly astounding and I've never felt bored at USC.
good academic atmosphere
I really like the University of Southern California. Teachers always encourage students to actively speak, think, explore, and question in class. In addition, extracurricular activities and socializing are also important components of our learning and life. For example, joining campus organizations, participating in community activities, traveling, dining, or watching games with alumni or classmates can help us broaden our horizons, exercise our abilities, and relax our mood.I recommend you to come to our school.
My Campus
A lovely campus with most students being very smart and academically rigorous but also are able to create time to enjoy social life. It has great professors who helped us to advance our majors to the better for instance the professors in my department of sport science were very dedicated and competent. They were of great help to me and to the rest of our class. I remain a proud alumni of USC
School Life
I am a first-generation college student—the first in my family to attend a four-year university. My acceptance into USC was an honor and a privilege. I am a proud trojan and love the campus. They have support groups for low-income students and a program for first-generation students. I am apart of the latinx Student Union and am very happy with the progress that this club has made in inclusion. My only complaint is the cost of the university being a low-income individual its not hard to pay for but it has taken a toll in me financially. Overall campus live is great. GO TROJANS !
Usc
I am a junior at USC. The professors, classes, advisors, facilities are all amazing. The school is diverse and is always expanding its financial aid resources. The location isn’t the nicest but there are a lot of friendly and helpful public safety officers Fight on forever!
incredible classes and creative growth
So, classes at the University of Southern California have been incredible for me. The professors are super knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. They make the material engaging and interactive, which really helps with learning. The class sizes are generally small, allowing for more personalized attention and meaningful discussions. Overall, I've had a great experience with the classes at USC!
Accessibility of professors
The professors' accessibility makes it simple for students to reach out to them. My time at University of Southern California was fantastic. The staff is dedicated to creating a positive and productive environment for all. Overall, the college emphasizes equal opportunities for student participation.
High quality academics
Within the University of Southern California, students thrive in an active community, benefiting from high-quality academics set in a beautiful campus backdrop. The courses are meticulously crafted, meeting professional standards, and ensuring comprehensive learning. The institution's array of accessible support services creates a conducive learning environment.
