Getting Support for Your EMBA – at Home

TopMBA.com speaks with EMBA alums about the importance of getting support at home while doing your EMBA. 

If you’re considering an Executive MBA, getting support from those around you is important. An EMBA is as challenging as it is rewarding, but during your studies, the more you can rely on others to look after ‘everyday’ tasks the more time you’ll have to dedicate to the classroom.

This support, particularly at home, is even more important for female EMBA candidates. Many female execs are already balancing a full workload alongside family commitments, and an Executive MBA isn’t something you can simply do in your spare time.

QS TopExecutive has spoken with many female EMBA alums who say the juggling act is a challenge, but it’s worth it in the long run. Here are some top tips to ensure you get that EMBA support – at home.

1. Help with the housework – There are only so many hours in a day, and if doing housework comes at the expense of time spent with your family, then find someone else to do it. Hire home help – cleaners, babysitters, gardeners, even a chef, if the finances stretch to it. These will be additional costs associated with your EMBA so make sure you’ve budgeted for them.

2. Involve extended family – If you’re fortunate enough to have grandparents and other extended family members nearby, make the most of them. Ask if they would mind looking after your children for an afternoon or weekend – this would allow you time to study and your respective partner a bit of peace and quiet too!

3. Be organized – If you’re balancing work and family life, chances are your time management skills are already finely tuned. But when it comes to your EMBA, plan ahead for projects and tests. That way, unexpected work or family issues won’t compromise your educational results.

4. Don’t miss meal times – If your family is supporting you through an Executive MBA, make sure you are there to show them you appreciate their support. Young children, especially, will want to have ‘mum’ time and during an EMBA this is going to be limited. But some is better than none, so leave the study books behind when you sit down at the dinner table.

5. Keep up with the reading – The commitment of an EMBA doesn’t just occur in the classroom. There is also the reading, study, and assignments to be done at home. Try and keep on top of it all, especially the reading. This will ensure it’s as manageable as possible and you’re not left with everything piling on top of you as deadlines approach!

6. Bring family and classmates together – After meeting with your fellow EMBA classmates, you may find others have family commitments similar to your own. If you have a group project to work on, why not turn it into a social event for family members. Wives, husbands and children can meet for an afternoon BBQ, while you and the team work inside on the project at hand. Now let’s see who has the most fun!

7. Rely on the faculty – Just as your family are there to support you through your EMBA, so too are your classmates and the faculty. Make use of them, especially the faculty. As one EMBA alum said: “They are wonderful resources and take pleasure in helping you along.”

8. Vacation with friends – Sometimes the financial investment of an Executive MBA means the family holiday may need to be forfeited that year. You’ll be able to make up for it at a later date, but for now, why not arrange for your children to go away with their friends. Who knows, you may be able to reciprocate the favour, should one of their parents embark on an EMBA.

9. Don’t worry about making straight A’s - Of course it’s important to do your best, but you may need to make some compromises along the way. As long as you’re still able to get the most out of your EMBA investment, a few B’s won’t hurt in the long run.

10. Reward those involved – Graduating with your Executive MBA is a major achievement, for you and your family. Be sure to involve them in your celebrations and organize a special thank you. It might be a romantic dinner out, a street party to include supportive neighbours and friends, or a holiday in the sun. They’ll need to unwind just as much as you do.