An MBA program is often considered a rewarding academic course that teaches leadership qualities and strategic thinking to solve real-world business problems. Whereas a postgraduate degree course can require a long-term commitment and financial investment, an online learning approach simplifies the MBA program for students over time.
Online MBA programs have gained popularity among students due to the flexibility of learning, easy accessibility and the ability to balance work life and personal commitments. It is one of the most valued PG programs worldwide today for advanced career growth.
However, there are always two sides to the same coin, meaning students face some common challenges with online MBA programs. Let’s discuss the challenges faced by online MBA students and also provide tips for overcoming them.
5 Challenges Faced by Online MBA Students
Although the online MBA program is designed to facilitate students in every way possible, online MBA students face challenges.
The biggest challenge of the online MBA program is to create more impactful learning experiences for students. Thanks to the Internet, the online MBA has managed an affordable, flexible, and self-paced curriculum. But that doesn’t mean that the program won’t have its downsides.
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Lack of Motivation and Distraction
When you started the online MBA program, you were probably the most excited to take the course. However, as time passed, you found yourself in a bind, trying to manage your work-life commitments, social responsibilities, and MBA studies.
Students often become demotivated and overburdened with online learning programs; attending classes and completing assignments regularly can be challenging without in-person interactions or immediate learning support.
An online MBA student caught up in personal work, workplace commitment, and social responsibilities often feels more distracted than a regular MBA student solely devoted to the 2-year course study.
How To Overcome This Challenge?
Set Goals: Set your goals and plan a to-do list of the tasks you can accomplish regularly. Try to complete things before the deadline. Try collaborative study with students within your study group. Discussing your situation with peers may help you gain insight and benefit from each other.
Get Feedback: Connect with your professors and get your progress report. Discuss the areas you lack so they can give you some suggestions.
Plan Your Week Ahead: Plan your week so that social interactions or events do not overlap with your studies.
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Financial Issues
Although you can continue with your full-time job during an online MBA program, it does not mean the MBA does not cost you. Remember, it is still a significant investment that requires finance and resources.
Furthermore, students may face unexpected expenses related to in-person campus visits, workshops, or other networking events, which can be financial burdens. So, ensure you don’t have to skip your tuition fees and plan your budget accordingly.
How To Overcome This Challenge?
Getting into an online MBA program may result in many unplanned expenses. So, it is best to have a backup plan for your finances. Make sure you have a safety fund for emergencies. You can also consider the following options to save yourself from financial burnout.
Scholarships and Grants: When you apply for an online MBA, look for institutes or organisations that offer merit-based scholarships, grants, and fellowships to help students financially.
Employer Sponsorship: If you work in an organisation, check if your employer can reimburse your tuition fees or offer you any sponsorship program.
Budgeting: Create a budget to track your monthly expenses and identify areas where you can cut costs and increase your savings.
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Limited Student-Teacher Interaction
Online learning programs like MBAs have made it easier for students to connect across geographical borders, but they also have minimal student-teacher interaction.
Let’s be honest, guys !!
You never get a classroom setup at home for an online program. There would be no teachers, peers, or face-to-face interactions in the case of online MBA programs.
It takes significant self-discipline for students to continue a PG program like an MBA for two long years. Students often feel isolated and disconnected from their peers and teachers, and they need the actual classroom setup to maintain motivation and engagement.
How To Overcome This Challenge?
As an online MBA program student, don’t feel left out if you miss the traditional classroom setup. Here are some of the initiatives that you can take to overcome this challenge:
Attend LIVE Classes: Take advantage of the university’s LIVE lectures. In LIVE lectures, many like you will attend the same session; you can easily interact with your lecturer, put forth your doubts, and interact with peers.
Participate in active online discussions: Always participate in online forums, discussion groups, doubt classes, and LIVE chat sessions. Regular participation in such courses will help you interact with your peers more, discuss similar problems, and get a feel for studying together.
Form study groups: Study groups are among the most effective ways to build bonds with fellow students. Create virtual groups to study collaboratively with each other. This would help you bond with your peers and benefit from some of their study routines.
Use Interactive learning tools: Interactive tools such as simulations and multimedia content often effectively illustrate core concepts to students. Use these learning tools to understand your subject quickly.
Participate in webinars and workshops: Take advantage of webinars, workshops and seminars related to your course. These often include discussion classes, quizzes, and interactive Q&A sessions, allowing you to interact with experts and peers.
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Technical Problems for Online Learning Classes
One of the primary things you should take care of while opting for an online study mode is having a system (PC, laptop or phone) and a stable internet connection. If you face constant technical problems from where you choose to connect, know that your studies will be significantly hampered.
You cannot expect a good internet connection everywhere; in that case, troubleshooting technical issues can take up your study time.
Moreover, you might get marked absent for your LIVE class. What should you do then?
How To Overcome This Challenge?
When you already have limited study time for an online MBA program, see that it doesn’t get wasted on such trivial matters. Take the following steps to overcome such unstable internet connection or system issues.
Choose a High-Speed Internet Service: When you have invested so much in the online MBA program, don’t cut out costs on a cheap Internet connection. It would only make things worse. If possible, go for a high-speed internet service that runs your online class videos without interruption.
Regularly Update Your System: To avoid compatibility issues, update your computer software to the latest version.
Use a UPS: Why take chances when you can invest in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and keep your devices running during power outages? Having a UPS gives you time to save your data and safely shut down your device.
Pre-Class Setup: Before your class starts, test your audio, video, and internet connection. It is best to log in a few minutes early.
Create Backup Data: Regularly back up your session videos or study materials to cloud storage or external hard drives to avoid mismanaging resources.
Keep an Alternate Device Ready: In case you are suffering technical issues with your system, it is recommended that you keep an alternate device (such as a tablet or smartphone) ready to support you.
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Time Management Issue
It might feel inspiring for the first few weeks, but gradually, the excitement dies down and starts feeling heavy and burdened.
This isn’t the story of one, but thousands of students opting for online MBA Programs face similar issues during their 2-year study program. They struggle to juggle everyday activities, work commitments, and study sessions.
If not handled with a good strategy, eventually, the candidates start skipping classes and becoming irregular with their assignment submissions. This may hamper their studies and negatively impact their grades.
How To Overcome This Challenge?
Online MBA program students often suffer from time management issues. With so many tasks, they need help to balance their office work, personal commitments and online study sessions. Some of the best practices one can follow to overcome this challenge are as follows:
Prioritise Tasks: Learn to prioritise your tasks according to importance. If you don’t, you will always end up putting all your MBA assignments on the back burner. This may seem okay for a couple of weeks, but gradually, it will lead to a build-up of unfinished tasks.
Use Time Management Tools: Many popular time management tools, such as Asana, Evernote, ActiveCollab, etc., can help you use your time effectively and finish your assignments on time.
Establish a Routine: Establish a routine and regularise your daily tasks. This will help you complete all your assignments on time and avoid last-minute stress.
The Takeaway
The online MBA may have many challenges, but that doesn’t mean we would not choose this popular PG program. If there are problems, there are solutions as well. Remember, we can consistently achieve so much more simply by being optimistic.
Since we have covered many solutions to every challenge online MBA students face, it is time to stop holding back. Use the solutions to overcome your shortcomings and achieve your professional goals.
Author: Mayank Sharma
Meet Mayank Sharma, a blogger who loves to write about lots of different things. He's really into education blogging and enjoys learning about new gadgets and software. But that's not all – Mayank also has a big interest in different cultures and traditions from around the world. He finds joy in reading books and exploring art too.
