How to Stay Focused When Studying Your MBA at Home

Let’s be honest, it’s pretty difficult to sit down and study while a global pandemic is going on.

Business schools have had to react promptly to the outbreak, finding ways to safely continue lectures and seminars and foster student collaboration virtually.

Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams have already helped educators shift to online teaching, but some students might be struggling to adjust to such sudden changes.

Whatever the circumstance it’s perfectly reasonable that you might be having trouble focusing, especially if you’re used to studying on campus.

For this reason, here at TopMBA we’ve put together a few tips that might help you keep your morale up and get plenty of work done from home.

Set up your home office

You’ve probably heard this before, but we thought it worth mentioning again: don’t study in bed. As comfortable as it might be, separating your work and rest spaces is key to be productive, especially while staying indoors to practice social distancing.

Make sure to create a study-friendly office space in your home where you can get work done undisturbed. Here are our best tips on lighting, set-up and equipment.

Plan your days

Now more than ever, it’s important to have a healthy work-life routine. Not only will this help you stay more focused on your studies, it’ll also give structure to your day and help you use time efficiently.

Set an early alarm every day during the regular work week as if you were going to campus and kick-start your day with a to-do list of work and household chores that you can tick off as you go. This will help you create a sense of normality and adjust more easily to the ongoing changes in your daily life.

Take plenty of breaks

It’s easy to get carried away when studying, especially at home, but this doesn’t mean you’re not allowed downtime. If anything, stepping back from your duties and giving yourself time to breathe will help diminish stress and anxiety in the long run.

Take a close look at your schedule and add some productive breaks here and there. It can be as simple as giving yourself 10 minutes to drink a cup of coffee or put on a load of laundry – as long as you’re resting, you’ll benefit from it.

Find new ways to socialize

We’re sure you’re missing being on campus and socializing with your b-school peers – who wouldn’t?

In these trying times, staying connected with your friends is key to feeling like you’re still part of a community. Social media is a great way to interact, but make sure to organize catch-up video calls at least once a week as well. Connecting screen-to-screen will make you feel a lot less lonely.

Reach out for help if you need to

Despite the distance, your teachers will always be there to help you, so don’t be scared to contact them if you need advice or clarification on your work. Student forums are also a great place to ask important questions about exams, projects and networking, as well as to further interact with your peers. No point wasting time and focus trying to figure things out by yourself!

Exercise, even just a little bit

Believe it or not, studies show that exercise can boost cognitive function, memory recall and brain function. In short, working out isn’t only good for your body, it’s also beneficial for your mind.

No one is expecting you to become a triathlon champion overnight, especially if exercise isn’t normally your thing. Instead, opt for a walk outside (even 30 minutes will do) or an at-home workout.

We recommend a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) if you enjoy a quick, full-body experience and a yoga session if you want something that is low-impact and ultimately relaxing. You can find plenty of videos for free on YouTube!

Read more about Covid-19

Coronavirus Student Hub

Everything Students Need to Know About the Novel Coronavirus

Confused About Coronavirus? Imperial College Launches Free Covid-19 Course

Wharton Offers Course on Consequences of Coronavirus Crisis

Discovering where to study

Is Postgraduate Education Still Worth It During a Global Recession?

Cambridge University: Online Only Lectures Until Summer 2021

Imperial College Business School Holds Virtual MSc Information Session

What to Consider When Comparing Universities Online

How to Choose a Business School Without Leaving the House

Comparing Virtual Tours of Top Business Schools

Why Higher Education is Still Necessary in Times of Change

How Can I Still Study Abroad?

Why Technology Can Save University Enrolment in Trying Times

QS digital events

QS Digital Events Calendar

How to Prepare For a QS Digital Event

How to Impress MBA Recruiters at Home

How to Navigate Your University Search During Covid-19

Why Aspiring Grad Students Should Attend HE Events

Coronavirus Advice for In-Person QS Events

Admissions advice

University Admissions: Coronavirus Hub

Business School Admissions: Coronavirus Hub

How Will the New Clearing Process Affect Students?

‘We’re Working to Ensure Candidate Applications Aren’t Disrupted’: Instagram Live with Imperial College Business School

Universities Changing Tuition Fees in Response to Coronavirus

How Covid-19 Is Affecting Wharton MBA Applications

Online Resources to Use in Your MBA Application

UK Government to Cap University Admissions: Will You Be Affected?

How To Defer Your University Offer In the UK

How To Defer Your University Offer In the US

How to Defer Your University Offer in Canada

How To Defer Your University Offer In Australia

Wharton Holds First Virtual Campus Tour For Students Stuck at Home

Entrance tests & exams

Six Tips to Ace the At-Home GRE and GMAT

INSEAD Accepting Applications Without the GMAT Due to Coronavirus

Can't Take TOEFL? Duolingo Might Offer Alternative

How to Take the GRE and GMAT at Home

China's National University Entrance Exam Will Go Ahead in July

Studying online

80% of UK Students Struggling Financially Due to COVID-19

Business As Usual: ESCP Replaces In-Person Project With Online Version

Why Coronavirus Will Cause an Ed-Tech Boom

Should UK Students Get A Refund For The Academic Year?

Majority of International Students Happy to Study Online

Benefits of Online Degrees, According to Students

How to Successfully Work From Home

How to Organize Your Routine When Working From Home

How to Set Up Your Home Office When Studying Your MBA

How to Stay Focused When Studying Your MBA at Home

How to Stay Engaged While Studying Online

75 Percent of Students Expect Lower Tuition Fees For Studying Online

9 Top Universities Offering Free Online Courses

Why Hybrid Teaching Might Be the Future of Online Courses

UK Students Will Pay Full Tuition Fees If Classes Remain Online, Say Government

10 Online Courses to Boost Your Business Curriculum

Life in lockdown

Quiz: Which Quarantine Cliché Are You?

Meet the Charity Helping International Students Left Homeless By COVID-19

Re-opening Businesses in COVID-19: Pros and Cons

What It’s Like Being in B-school During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Life Under Quarantine: How Coronavirus is Affecting University Students

Coronavirus: Life is Changing on Campus in the United States

25 Productive Things To Do While Social Distancing

Five Inventive Things B-School Students Can Do While Social Distancing

How to Keep Employee Morale High While Working From Home

How UK Students Can Help Out During the Coronavirus Crisis

9 Books All B-School Candidates Should Read While Social Distancing

How to Avoid Back Pain When Working From Home, According to a Chiropractor

Business School Professors Recommend Activities to Pass the Time in the Pandemic

Staying healthy

Five Ways to Look After Your Mental Health in Lockdown

How Can Students Stay Healthy At Home?

Should You Try to ‘Improve Yourself’ in Quarantine?

Fun and Unusual Ways Students are Staying Active in Quarantine

How You Can Stay Happy and Healthy While Studying at Home

Careers advice

The 'New Normal': Why Digital Skills Matter More Than Ever

The EdTech Sector Grows as Other Industries Take a Hit from the Coronavirus Crisis

Bounce Back Loans: Everything You Need to Know for Your Small Business

Staying Hopeful: MBA Grads on Job Hunting During a Recession

What Does Coronavirus Mean For The Hospitality Industry?

How to Adapt Your Small Business During a Pandemic

How to Get Hired Without Leaving the House

How 2020 Graduates Can Find Jobs Amid Coronavirus

Everything Students Need to Know About Virtual Internships

Staying Afloat: UK Small Business Owners on Adapting to a Pandemic

How My B-School Experience Is Helping Me Run a Hospital During Covid-19

Summer Internships Are Going Online

Safeguarding Talent During Coronavirus: Will Internships Go Digital?