7 ways to get into the right mindset to start an MBA

An MBA is very different from most degrees.

Although an MBA is usually seen as a valuable career investment—with graduates commanding some of the highest average salaries—most people in an MBA have taken a career break to study. After a few years in the workplace, committing to go back to the classroom could feel a little intimidating.

Veronika Koleňáková, director of professional studies at Newton University, believes this is why you need to take conscious steps to get into the right mindset before the program. “The more consciously you enter the program,” she says, “the more you can gain from it.”

With that in mind, here are seven ways to get into the mindset to start an MBA.

1. Don’t worry about being the finished product

MBA students are high achievers, and have often reached senior positions within an organization before the age of 30. However, that doesn’t mean you’re expected to enter the program as the finished product.

“Students can worry about the unknown, and wonder whether everyone else will be more confident, more experienced or better prepared than themselves,” explains Professor Track Dinning from Liverpool Business School. “But from my experience, very few students arrive with everything figured out—and no-one should expect them to.”

Instead, try to see an MBA as an opportunity to continue your professional development. Use it to strengthen your weaknesses, broaden your perspective, and expand your blind spots of knowledge.

2. Avoid comparing yourself with others

Your MBA classroom will be filled with intelligent and talented students from all over the world. But just because they appear confident on the outside, doesn’t mean they’re not experiencing the same worries or anxiety as anyone else. They often have a range of strengths and weaknesses—just like you. Remember that, and try not to compare yourself with anyone else.

“You will meet students who appear more confident and organised than you,” says Professor Dinning. “Remember that you are only seeing part of their story, and they may be feeling just as nervous as you. Everyone brings different strengths and experiences. Focus on your own strengths and progress.”

3. Treat your classmates as teammates

Instead of seeing your classmates as competitors, it’s important to understand that they’re in the same position as you. They have all sacrificed something to be here and are facing the same challenges as you likely are.

“Your classmates are more than a network. They bring different industries, cultures, decisions, successes and mistakes. In a strong MBA, who sits beside you can matter as much as who stands in front of you,” says Veronika.

So try to work together with your classmates rather than against them. Ask for advice when you need it, and give it out when asked. Knowing that you’re all in this together will make your MBA experience much easier.

4. Be ready to ask question

Although many MBA students are used to being strong performers in the academic and professional worlds, entering the MBA classroom can open your mind to fresh perspectives that can change your outlook on things. Veronika believes asking questions to your teachers and fellow students will enable you to make “real progress”.

“Experience is valuable, but it can also create blind spots,” she explains. “You may quickly discover that someone else sees the same problem very differently. Real progress often begins not with another answer, but with a better question.”

5. Be open to new challenges and new experiences

MBA programs are participatory, interactive environments, and presentations and group work are just as common as lectures or essays. That can be intimidating for some people, but according to Professor Dinning, throwing yourself into these new experiences will make them easier over time.

“Some of this will feel uncomfortable at first, but it is likely to be the same for everyone. So, be confident to speak up, share your ideas and you will find that over time, it becomes easy.”

6. Boost your confidence by taking pre-MBA courses

For many MBA students, it will be the first time they have been in the classroom for 10 or more years. And that’s understandably going to cause some anxiety—particularly if you’re studying areas of business you haven’t covered before.

That’s why it’s a good idea to firm up your knowledge of the business fundamentals with some foundational pre-MBA courses. For instance, our Business Fundamentals study pack is designed to strengthen your knowledge of three key MBA areas: accounting, finance, and statistics.

Ensuring you’re ready for the rigors of these MBA modules is a great way of getting yourself into a confident mindset while relieving some study anxiety along the way.

7. Know that you don’t need the perfect career plan

Although it’s important to have good reasons for studying an MBA, that doesn’t mean you need to come into it with the perfect career plan. The program is also a good chance to take a career pause and explore your next steps.

“Some students start knowing exactly what career they want whilst others are still exploring their options. Both are completely normal,” Professor Dinning says.

“You may discover an interest in an area you have never considered before, so keep an open mind and give yourself permission to change direction as you learn more.”