Seasoned students and alums offer advice to new students

Starting the TMMBA program is exciting! There is a lot to learn, people to meet, and skills to build.  18 months is fast and it can feel a bit like a roller coaster ride at times. So, how do you stay on and get the most of your ride?  Current students and alumni have some advice to offer new students about to embark on their 18-month TMMBA journey.

• Sit down before classes begin and think about what you want to get out of TMMBA. You can get as little or as much out of it as you want. 18 months is fast, so knowing what you’re interested in and who to network with is critical.
• Trust the system that TMMBA has put in place. Much of the first quarter is about getting out of your comfort zone and adjusting to the new schedule and pace. Embracing the change with open arms will make your life at TMMBA more productive and enjoyable.
• Use OneNote to take notes, and preferably in the cloud so they are stored remotely and updated across all of your devices instantly. Focus on setting a process in place early on for note taking and referencing.
• Network and take advantage of all the additional opportunities offered by the program and the university, don’t see any of the aspects of the program as a “burden or distraction” but rather as an opportunity.
• Find the best collaboration software for your team, and adopt it early; whether it’s Gmail or SkyDrive or Facebook Meeting Invites – getting a head start on where you will receive team updates and schedule meetings is critical in ensuring that you spend minimal time on managing this stuff.
• Talk to your classmates. Learn about who they are and what they do. Make an effort to spend time with them outside of class. Turn them into your friends and contacts. The knowledge brought to the program by the students is immense and valuable and it is yours for the taking.
• Prioritize, don’t hesitate to ask questions, and work with your study group! (And don’t forget to party every once in a while 🙂 )
  
• Focus on time management, do not procrastinate, and pre-read for class.
• Be honest with your team mates about your expectations and desires for the program. Getting off to a good start is important and will set the tone for the rest of the program.
• It’s only for 18 months. Make best use of the resources available to you.
• Finish all of your reading ahead of time so you can socialize at dinner before class. You’ll have plenty of time to spend with your study group so break away from their safety net and use the time to get to know your other classmates, especially those in the other section.
  
• Have fun. Network.