It’s got very busy. Half way through the first term we’ve started four new courses. For strategy, we have to prepare a different case study before each class. In any of those classes there may be a surprise test that counts for 30% of our overall assessment. Before every finance class we need to have completed an online test (also assessed). As well as keeping up with the reading we have three exams at the end of this term, then another four at the beginning of the next. Oh and two major coursework deadlines just before the four post new year exams.
Why is it so much work?
1) it’s good to learn stuff! Why else would we be here? It’ll be useful and good for its own sake too.
2) One year MBAs need to assert that their courses are just as credible as the two year ones.
3) It’s a badge of honour – at the end of it (hopefully) we’ll be able to say we got through it.
But at this point I have to decide on my strategy – do I just want to pass, do really well, or somewhere in between? What do employers care about? Will breaking my back to try and get a distinction really make a difference? Is it worth it considering the very high probablity I don’t get one? Could I spend the time I save by not going for a distinction on something useful like learning a language or careers development or networking?
Is it worth doing really well on some papers? (and badly on others) Will I care? Will employers care?
I have to admit to being very lazy during my first degree (9.5 years ago). I think my main driver to do well is wanting to do it differently this time. In subsequent years after my first degree I felt a bit silly for not making the most of the opportunity to learn from some very clever and learned people. So that’s why I’m going to do as well as I can.
I’ll let you know if I actually follow through on this. (clue: it’s unlikely)