When I first started the program, I was a bit confused about the proper way to study the subjects. I used to spend a lot of time surfing the internet for related information. I used to spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos. Spend time fretting about the difficulty with friends. I used to try to refer multiple books. I did not know the proper way to study. In fact, information overload and disorganized study was killing me.
Study for marks or study for knowledge? Study for depth or study for width? Know something about everything or know everything about something? Lets face it, it is impossible to know everything about everything. Honestly, it is also impossible to everything about something :)
So I came to conclusion that time & task management is of essence. For now, it is important to complete the courses with good grades and with proper understanding. I shall always have time after the MBA or in between the terms, during the vacation days to try to attain depth of knowledge. It is important to prioritize. One can not do everything.
Here is my take on this matter:
R + E + A + D = M
(Readings + Exercises + Assignments + Discussion = Marks )
R:
Class readings - hand outs
Text book reading
Class power point slides
Notes jotted down from lecture of Prof
E:
Exercises at the end of the chapter of the recommended text book
Online exercises from Lyryx & Connect database
A:
Assignments by Profs (whether with or without marks)
Tests conducted by Profs from time to time
D:
Discussion with classmates on topics, to get a different perspective and for more efficient study
Group study - just form your own study group !
fetch M: marks!
Just putting it out there in cyber space. Just my thought. :)
This blog documents my MBA student life at Ryerson University, Canada (2010-2012). It was an attempt to demystify the MBA experience, help understand MBA topics & encourage MBA wannabes. I have a Pre-MBA blog about B-School application process (and a few other blogs) as well. I used to blog actively in the past and interact with readers regularly, but life got very busy after my MBA. Good luck. Take care. Cheers! Gerry.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Win to Lose or Lose to Win? (during MBA group assignments)
(P.S: This post is related to my experience during the Fall 2010 term, not the Spring/Summer 2011 term :)
Where there are different ideas, there are bound to be conflicts.
MBA has a LOT of group work. Different members have different personalities, backgrounds, prejudices, experiences and energy levels. It is not easy to pull all forces together and work in harmony all the time.
This is what I have learnt over time: It is better to lose to win, rather than win to lose.
What I mean by this is the "win an argument, lose a friend" idea mentioned by Dale Carnegie.
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Why prove to a man he is wrong? Is that going to make him like you? Why not let him save face? He didn't ask for your opinion. He didn't want it. Why argue with him? You can't win an argument, because if you lose, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. Why? You will feel fine. But what about him? You have made him feel inferior, you hurt his pride, insult his intelligence, his judgment, and his self-respect, and he'll resent your triumph. That will make him strike back, but it will never make him want to change his mind. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
- Dale Carnegie, "How to win friends & influence people"
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Where there are different ideas, there are bound to be conflicts.
MBA has a LOT of group work. Different members have different personalities, backgrounds, prejudices, experiences and energy levels. It is not easy to pull all forces together and work in harmony all the time.
This is what I have learnt over time: It is better to lose to win, rather than win to lose.
What I mean by this is the "win an argument, lose a friend" idea mentioned by Dale Carnegie.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why prove to a man he is wrong? Is that going to make him like you? Why not let him save face? He didn't ask for your opinion. He didn't want it. Why argue with him? You can't win an argument, because if you lose, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. Why? You will feel fine. But what about him? You have made him feel inferior, you hurt his pride, insult his intelligence, his judgment, and his self-respect, and he'll resent your triumph. That will make him strike back, but it will never make him want to change his mind. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
- Dale Carnegie, "How to win friends & influence people"
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Courseload - FT / PT
As per OSAP & the University,
Full Time refers a mimum course load of 60% (3 out of 5 courses).
The maximum number of courses permitted are 5 per term (Winter / Spring-Summer or Fall).
Ideally, it is recommended that FT students take 5 courses, though it is possible to customize your schedule and take 3 or 4 courses.
Part Time refers to less than 60% load (1 or 2 courses per term).
Some part time students take just 1 course per term, some take 2 per term.
Full Time refers a mimum course load of 60% (3 out of 5 courses).
The maximum number of courses permitted are 5 per term (Winter / Spring-Summer or Fall).
Ideally, it is recommended that FT students take 5 courses, though it is possible to customize your schedule and take 3 or 4 courses.
Part Time refers to less than 60% load (1 or 2 courses per term).
Some part time students take just 1 course per term, some take 2 per term.
Jobs for MBA students (even while enrolled)
Yes, we all know that MBA graduates get good jobs. But I heard recently that even those who are enrolled in the MBA program and have completed, say, about half of their courses and are waiting to complete the program within a year (MBA grads in waiting) have good chances of landing MBA internships or jobs, as prospective MBAs.
This is very encouraging, since one does not have to wait until completion of the program to clinch that dream jobs. There are campus interviews once in a while where big companies handpick prospective candidates too!
This is very encouraging, since one does not have to wait until completion of the program to clinch that dream jobs. There are campus interviews once in a while where big companies handpick prospective candidates too!
Class participation in the MBA program.
Class participation is a fine art. Unfortunately, it is an art that is learnt over time. We learn by making mistakes. Do not participate, and you come across as dumb. Participate too much, and you could end up irritating classmates and using up valuable class time.
Participation is important because:
Some of the subjects that need participation mandatorily are:
Marks assigned for participation range from 10% to 20%.
More on this later.
Participation is important because:
- It forms a closed loop communication betweens the teacher and students
- It increases the confidence of students
- Keeps students engaged (and not fall asleep or drift on the internet)
- Help students to learn from other students
- Help teachers get better at their science
Some of the subjects that need participation mandatorily are:
- Strategy
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Business Law.
Marks assigned for participation range from 10% to 20%.
Pass / Fail
For the Master's program, the passing percentage is 70%. Ryerson is famous for not showing mercy for those who fail (or so I hear :). It is better to aim for the highest grade, so that at the least, one comes up with a higher grade or atleast a pass grade.
The courses are intensive and workload is high. Maximizing time and energy is most important in this program.
The courses are intensive and workload is high. Maximizing time and energy is most important in this program.
Attendance in class / being late to class
There is no formal attendance record or attendance taken in class, but Profs do keep an eye on students who did and did not attendance. Especially students who maintain high profile in class are easily missed when they skip classes.
My initial thought in the past was that it was perhaps ok to skip a class or two, especially if there is an assignment due. But my strategy now on is to attend ALL classes. It helps to show commitment, helps improve subject knowledge and forms a good impression with peers and teachers.
Being late to class is frowned upon, even though it may not be expressed. It is a good idea to be seated inside the classroom at least 15 minutes in advance. Profs do get to class 10 minutes early and sometimes, they spend time chatting with the students about the subject matter.
My initial thought in the past was that it was perhaps ok to skip a class or two, especially if there is an assignment due. But my strategy now on is to attend ALL classes. It helps to show commitment, helps improve subject knowledge and forms a good impression with peers and teachers.
Being late to class is frowned upon, even though it may not be expressed. It is a good idea to be seated inside the classroom at least 15 minutes in advance. Profs do get to class 10 minutes early and sometimes, they spend time chatting with the students about the subject matter.
Internet - a necessary evil in modern education!
Internet! What an amazing invention by man. But at the same time, what a productivity killer :)
Modern education system has everything based on computer use. Communication, assignments, blackboard (online student portal) and so on. While there are multiple uses, it is possible for students to get lost in the online world - news sits, social networking sites like facebook, twitter, emails and so on.
As it is said, one of the great problems of this generation is information - too much information!!!
Here is hoping that we are able to manage our time well and not get carried away by the internet.
Modern education system has everything based on computer use. Communication, assignments, blackboard (online student portal) and so on. While there are multiple uses, it is possible for students to get lost in the online world - news sits, social networking sites like facebook, twitter, emails and so on.
As it is said, one of the great problems of this generation is information - too much information!!!
Here is hoping that we are able to manage our time well and not get carried away by the internet.
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