12 Best Pieces Of Advice For Online MBAs

“Pace yourself.”

Sounds possible…in theory. Just try it when you have a baby teething, a spouse stressing, a roof leaking, a client griping, a deadline looming, and an initiative failing. And then pile 15-20 hours of business school onto the mix.

Pace yourself? Not so easy when the pace is a Kentucky Derby sprint.

TAKE A BREAK…YOU’LL NEED IT

Still, ‘Pace yourself’ was the top recommendation when Poes&Quants asked Online MBA graduates to share their best advice about business school. In many ways, an online MBA program is an exercise in priorities, identifying what should be delegated or deferred – and for how long. Among the Class of 2025, however, ‘Pace yourself’ comes with very different meanings.

At its core, ‘Pace yourself’ means staying on top of due dates, says Kelly Rucci, an Amazon human resources executive who earned her MBA at the College of William & Mary’s Mason School. “Don’t wait until Sunday night to do everything. Start each module early in the week to stay ahead and avoid last-minute stress.”

While working as a communications manager at FedEx, Ashley Spence earned her online MBA through Auburn University’s Harbert College. She advises future MBA student-professionals to understand their limits. For example, she urges them to talk to their managers about being flexible, such as divvying up responsibilities on larger projects so they can truly log out and focus on school at days end. In contrast, Esther Booth, a general counsel who studied at Warwick Business school, urges potential online MBAs to build vacation times into their schedules.

“It’s too easy to use annual leave from work to catch up on MBA studies,” she adds. “If you do that, you never get any time where you aren’t either working or studying – and you need that break.”

IT’S A JOB…TREAT IT THAT WAY

For Gillianne Nichole Millette, a healthcare consultant who graduated in May from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Isenberg School, ‘Pace yourself’ can be defined by looking at the big picture – and appreciating the progress you’re making.

“Take each class as it comes,” Millette counsels. “The journey can feel long at times. If you stay present and trust the process, you’ll look up one day and be amazed by just how far you’ve come. Through this experience, I’ve learned that the late-night readings, the weekly discussions, the timed quizzes, and the group assignments all matter. Each course prepares you for the next, and together, they set you up for long-term success.”

Beyond pacing, Ozzy Ledezma, an entrepreneur who studied at Arizona State’s W. P. Carey School, considers an online MBA to be no different than a job – one that requires the same daily “consistency, curiosity, and clear sense of purpose.” By the same token, Brittanny Anderson, an academic recruiter, emphasizes that business school is a “big-time commitment” – with classmates being the saving graces who can reduce the burden and enrich the experience.

“Step outside your comfort zone early in the program to make connections and lead projects,” adds the ’25 alum of Southern Methodist University’s Cox School. “Create a community of cheerleaders around you, both friends and family, who understand your commitment and encourage you in your pursuit. Thankfully, I have a community and my completion of this program is a win for all of us!”

What else did the Class of 2025 do to make an online MBA such an invaluable and unforgettable experience? Here are 12 more pieces of advice for future online MBAs.

1) Get Out What You Put In: “Be engaged, make the program your own. There are plenty of resources available for you to be successful. The faculty and the staff want to see you succeed and they want to know you. Make use of the resources provided. Stay on schedule with the lectures and activities. Use published office hours even when you may not have a specific question. Discuss the lectures and the activities near the time they happen. Pop in during office hours and ask a professor to elaborate on something you heard during a lecture. Turn your cameras on and introduce yourself to your professors and your peers just as you would if you were physically present.”
Rob Crawford, Auburn University (Harbert)

2) Actively Participate in Class Discussions: “Engaging with your professors and peers is key to making the most of your online MBA experience. Take full advantage of the diverse perspectives your cohort and instructors bring to the table, as their unique insights can transform your learning journey and broaden your understanding of complex topics. These discussions are a fantastic way to connect, exchange ideas, and network.”
Fily Vidrio, Baylor University (Hankamer)

3) Lean into the Community: “The students who thrived weren’t just “good at Zoom.” They scheduled virtual coffee chats, debated passionately in live sessions, and formed engaging groups. Also, learn to apply lessons immediately, whether at work or in life. The magic happens when theory meets practice.”
Lisa Park, University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)

“Everyone talks about time management—and yes, it’s important. (I’ve been color-coding my planners since middle school to stay organized and currently merge over seven calendars together to my Google calendars!) But the best advice I can give is to build a community. In undergrad, you’re all starting from the same place. In an MBA program, your classmates bring real-world experience that can help you succeed—if you take the time to connect. So get to know the other students and make a group chat – whether on Slack, WhatsApp, GroupMe, Discord – make a place to share wins, loses both in and out of the program. Learn what each person brings to the table, and lean on each other. That community is what will carry you through.”
Erica Kolsrud, USC (Marshall)

4) Start with a Clear ‘Why’: “Understand your motivation from the outset. Align the program with your career path and personal life right from the beginning. Treat the MBA like a living strategy: reassess your approach regularly and adapt as needed. Success lies in treating the MBA not as a side project, but as a fully integrated part of your life.”
Patrick Deubach, ESMT Berlin

5) Treat Your Calendar Like a Living Document: “Block time for studying, working out, and decompressing – it is the only way to show up fully at work, in class, and in life. Engage in every opportunity the program offers, because time flies. Learn how to say no, prioritize what matters, and be honest about your capacity. If you need more time to grasp something challenging, talk to your teammates, your professors, or even your boss – everyone benefits when you are clear and realistic. Above all, communicate. The university staff is incredibly approachable, knowledgeable, and resourceful. You’re not doing this alone – and you shouldn’t try to, either.”
Diego Matayoshi, University of Florida (Warrington)

6) Raise the Bar and Be Committed: “Always look to bring the best quality you can in terms of individual exercises, group work, forum, or in-class comments to help others view themes from a new perspective. By staying disciplined and bringing your best at every opportunity, you train yourself to maintain these habits over the long term. And if you can’t bring your best, bring humor and be humble. Being able to laugh at yourself when your Finance professor puts you on the spot in front of class to solve an equation full of Greek letters can go a long way if you don’t know the answer.”
Charlie Bloxham, IE Business School

7) Find Out What Works for You: “There will be an adjustment period when you make the change to online education. If you are a morning person, take advantage of that time. If you are a night owl, set aside time at night. You can make an online MBA program fit into your life, no matter how hectic your schedule is. I took a team project call from a bachelorette party in Mexico, and a live lecture from a ski resort in Canada. No matter what things look like, you will find your rhythm. However, in a self-paced environment you have to hold yourself accountable because it is more than just managing time; it is about staying adaptable as your life constantly changes.”
Christina Reed, University of Illinois (Gies)

8) Apply What You Learn Immediately at Work: “I would enthusiastically recommend my program to friends and colleagues seeking a rigorous, relevant, and engaging MBA program experience. That said, it’s easy – in any program – to fall into a rhythm of just trying to check the next box, especially when you’re balancing your coursework with the demands of career and family. I’d encourage future MBA students to recognize the opportunity to leverage the program so that it amplifies your professional obligations, rather than competing with them. I made a point to address questions I was grappling with at work and to tackle real-world situations and challenges in my coursework. Further, I made a point to engage my classmates – every one of my courses offered opportunities to connect with and learn from my classmates. Their perspectives have proved invaluable both in terms of my success in the MBA program, as well as my ability to identify and leverage new approaches professionally.”
Adam Kurth, University of Iowa (Tippie)

9) Take Advantage of the Resources and Opportunities Available: “Online students have access to the same support and many of the experiences as in-person students. I’ve used advising services multiple times to stay on track with my program and graduation plan, and they’ve been incredibly helpful. Beyond academics, I’ve joined virtual coffee chats on Microsoft Teams, participated in the MBA trip to Seattle, and enrolled in the International Management course, which took us to Sweden in 2024 and Japan in 2025. These experiences have not only enriched my learning, but also helped me build meaningful connections with classmates and UTD alumni, both online and in-person.”
Carrie Dembeck, University of Texas at Dallas (Jindal)

10) Stay Curious, Organized, and Engaged: “Treat every discussion and group project as a leadership opportunity. Build relationships early—they’ll be your biggest resource throughout the program.”
Sumeet Malik, Santa Clara University (Leavey)

11) Set Aside Time For Yourself: “Being kind to yourself and resting is what allows you to show up fully. For instance, I blocked my calendar every Friday and Saturday evening to focus on what gives me energy—spending time with my incredible husband, family, and friends. I truly think that’s what helped me continue to show up with ambition and energy throughout my MBA experience.”
Hannah Messinger, Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)

12) Don’t Hesitate to Start: “There is something I would encourage prospective students to think about: life changes a lot and quickly. What makes sense now might not work for your life in one or three years. Online education can then be an asset to the life you want as opposed to the liability it could be when you look at certain opportunities over a program that spans several years.”
Brittany Pitlik, University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

 

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