The moment is almost here – the start of your JWMI MBA journey. Maybe you’ve been thinking about an MBA for a while, or maybe this was quick and recent decision to enroll to advance your career, either way, we’ve been there. There will be many firsts as you start your graduate path to leadership, your first time back in a classroom since completing your undergraduate degree, your first time juggling work and family commitments with school, and most likely your first time using an online class format. But again, we share, we’ve been there.

We know the excitement, nerves, and anticipation that are present as you embark on your first term and to help we’ve collected some great new student advice from alumni and current students.

Just remember, JWMI staff, faculty, alumni and fellow students are all here to help throughout this exciting adventure. Make sure you join our JWMI LinkedIn Networking Group. We can’t wait to hear about all your future wins and celebrate with you virtually. Good luck! You got this!

New Student Advice:

GET CONNECTED

• Network, Network, Network!  Understand the opportunities for in-person networking, online meet and greets, and the advantage of meeting classmates. You never know what will arise from a new connection.
  – Kayla Baker, Alumna
• Engage the staff and faculty; they are very responsive. Get to know your fellow students through active discussion and network on LinkedIn to build your community.
  – George Niece, Student
• Pass it forward. Help the next person asking for hints and student advice.
  – Daniel Cotto, Student

BE PREPARED

• Time management is probably the single biggest key ingredient to success. Start off the week reading/watching/listening to the course materials, as early as possible.
  – George Niece, Student
• Make sure you have a space to work without interruption. It helps to be able to concentrate and just plow through readings and postings. By the way, the posting is usually one of the best parts of the program… lots of great perspectives from classmates and professors.
  – Martin Querin, Alumnus
• Stay ahead of your coursework and work hard. My work week can grow to 50 or more hours, so time management is the key to staying ahead of assignments. Most importantly, have an open mind, learn from your classmates and have FUN!
  – Deron Shields, Student
• Develop a system and try to stick with it is the best student advice I can share. I prepare myself on Sunday by going through the professor’s media to get a feel for what the week has in store.
  – David Sanborn, Student

USE YOUR RESOURCES

• The professors WANT you to succeed. They are not the type of teachers who flog you if you don’t get it. So you will never go wrong by reaching out to them.
  – Terry Peck, Student
• Make use of all your resources. I have found using the writing coach is awesome as it’s been 30 years since college.
  – Deron Shields, Student
• Use the subject matter tutors no matter how smart you are as they catch more than just punctuation. They understand the scope of the assignment and can gauge you are on track.
  – Terry Peck, Student
• I buy the audiobooks every time I can and listen to them during my work commute. Read EVERYTHING!!! Ask questions, lots of questions. And provide student advice to others who ask.
  – Daniel Cotto, Student
• Without a doubt use Grammarly. It will assist you greatly.
  – David Sanborn, Student

 ONLINE LEARNING 411

• Your class guides are important, don’t ignore them.  Read the course guide thoroughly beforehand especially as it relates to completing assignments and the amount of reading required. Look to see if you have vacations or other events coming and plan to get ahead.
  – Andrew O’Donnell, Alumnus
• Keep references organized and accessible. Write out full references for your posts and include page numbers. Keep those and all of your posts/notes in a searchable MS Word file. I loved how easy it was to cut and paste references when completing term papers. By the time I graduated, this file was over 1,500 pages and full of valuable searchable information.
  – Andrew O’Donnell, Alumnus
• Try not to read other people’s responses to the discussion questions (DQs) before you write your own. It will drive you to “group think” instead of independently thinking. By writing original thoughts, you will contribute more to the class and reap those benefits as well.
  – Ulises Hubbard, Alumnus
• Save posts, they are a valuable resource later. Blackboard allows you to download (in Adobe PDF searchable format) everyone’s posts each week. Once downloaded, you can search for ideas from your classmates. I still use this material after graduating. The bonus is that it helps you stay in touch with your JWMI classmates after the class!
  – Andrew O’Donnell, Alumnus

 KNOW YOUR MOTIVATION 

• Visualize the end game. Imagine yourself in two years during the graduation ceremony. Make friends in every course and keep in touch with them after as well. Graduation then becomes an exciting celebration with many “old” friends who you’ve met in person for the first time.
  – Ulises Hubbard, Alumnus
• Find a support team outside of school: Tell everyone in your life that you are getting your MBA. You will be surprised at how many people will support you and be more aware of time your time commitments.
  – Kathleen Thompson, Alumna
• Write down why you are getting your MBA and put it up on a wall to remind you. On those days when you are overwhelmed, and work/life situations challenge you, remind yourself of the reasons for this transformation.
  – DP Prakash, Alumnus