Currently working as an analyst in banking, downloaded kindle on my computer and discreetly do problems throughout the day when I can. It's tough because I am in a bullpen setup at work and people are on the phones all day around me and cussing, etc. It is a high pressure and strenuous work place. About ~50 people sharing half of an office floor. Very tight and loud. When another analyst or associate sees my screens they will usually comment on my studying and probably give me work to do. Not the best study environment.
On weekends, when I am exhausted from work and just want to drink and socialize, I am trying to force myself to spend sat/sun studying.
Looking to absolutely incinerate the GMAT in the coming months, and don't want to lose my motivation. I'm looking to use an MBA to get out of banking and transition into the technology industry in some managerial capacity.
What is the ideal timeframe before burnout kicks in given my situation? I am using the MGMAT program.
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- Pedro
- Course Students
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- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2015 4:29 am
- StaceyKoprince
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 9360
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
- Location: Montreal
Re: studying while doing banking
Ugh. It's interesting (ironic?) because so many banks do expect people to go to b-school. But then they somehow think you don't need to study for the GMAT.
Okay, question #1: how often can you reasonably get up and get out of that room for 10-15 minutes? Take a long-ish "bathroom" break twice a day.
Do you guys eat lunch at your desks? I'm assuming yes. But do you have to get up to go get your lunch? Detour yourself into an empty conference room for 15 minutes. Are you at work long enough to need to eat dinner there too? Repeat the detour.
That's an hour a day right there!
Next, do give yourself time to drink and socialize. Friday = no GMAT whatsoever, during the day or after work.
Saturday and Sunday, have discrete study times, but you don't need to study 8 hours a day. (In fact, you shouldn't. You'll just tire yourself out more / burn yourself out faster.) Commit to a 2-hour morning study session and another 1.5 to 2 hours in the afternoon, with a substantial break in between (brunch, anyone?). The quantity of your study isn't important - the quality is. (Well, of course, you have to do a decent amount. But the goal isn't crazy hours.)
Every few weeks, drop one of your week-end study days (eg, take all of Sat off). I'm guessing that you're asking your question now because you're already feeling burnout, so this coming week-end may be a good one to take a day off. (Though: are you in a live class? If so, then you may need to push through to keep up with homework. But promise yourself a break just as soon as you're able!)
Speaking of live classes, the most important thing to get done before the next class is the quant homework, because class will assume you've done that homework. That isn't really the case for the verbal homework, so if you have to drop something (and make it up later), that's what to drop.
What's your vacation time situation? Do you have the ability to take some time off - not right before the test actually, but well before that, just to concentrate on your studies? That might be good to do towards the end of your class or just after the end. Or can you take some extra days off around Thanksgiving (if you're in the US) to give yourself a longer break from work and a more solid chunk of study time?
Let me know what you think about all of that. Also, just pay attention to your brain. When you're burned out, acknowledge it and give yourself a break.
Okay, question #1: how often can you reasonably get up and get out of that room for 10-15 minutes? Take a long-ish "bathroom" break twice a day.
Do you guys eat lunch at your desks? I'm assuming yes. But do you have to get up to go get your lunch? Detour yourself into an empty conference room for 15 minutes. Are you at work long enough to need to eat dinner there too? Repeat the detour.
That's an hour a day right there!
Next, do give yourself time to drink and socialize. Friday = no GMAT whatsoever, during the day or after work.
Saturday and Sunday, have discrete study times, but you don't need to study 8 hours a day. (In fact, you shouldn't. You'll just tire yourself out more / burn yourself out faster.) Commit to a 2-hour morning study session and another 1.5 to 2 hours in the afternoon, with a substantial break in between (brunch, anyone?). The quantity of your study isn't important - the quality is. (Well, of course, you have to do a decent amount. But the goal isn't crazy hours.)
Every few weeks, drop one of your week-end study days (eg, take all of Sat off). I'm guessing that you're asking your question now because you're already feeling burnout, so this coming week-end may be a good one to take a day off. (Though: are you in a live class? If so, then you may need to push through to keep up with homework. But promise yourself a break just as soon as you're able!)
Speaking of live classes, the most important thing to get done before the next class is the quant homework, because class will assume you've done that homework. That isn't really the case for the verbal homework, so if you have to drop something (and make it up later), that's what to drop.
What's your vacation time situation? Do you have the ability to take some time off - not right before the test actually, but well before that, just to concentrate on your studies? That might be good to do towards the end of your class or just after the end. Or can you take some extra days off around Thanksgiving (if you're in the US) to give yourself a longer break from work and a more solid chunk of study time?
Let me know what you think about all of that. Also, just pay attention to your brain. When you're burned out, acknowledge it and give yourself a break.
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
2 posts Page 1 of 1