Odessa Carmody

The Real Struggles MBA Students Face While Completing Their Projects When I first started my IGNOU MBA project experts (try what he says) project I thought it would be a simple task. Choose a topic, do some research, create a report and submit. Easy. I had envisioned having it completed in a few weeks. A couple of late nights prior to the date. Reality struck fast. It's not just reports. It tests your organization, endurance and ability to deal with unexpected issues. Nearly everyone in my group experienced some sort of difficulty. Many students believe that they should use the project in the same way as regular essays or research. A few weeks later, they realize deadlines are more than they anticipated and data is not complete, chapters don't link and motivation declines. The MBA project could be overwhelming if you do not handle it correctly. This article will highlight how students deal with challenges together with strategies for dealing with these. There is no magic formula but learning from experience helps a lot. Choosing a Topic Is Harder Than It Looks The choice of a topic may be straightforward, but it's actually not. I made the error of choosing a topic that might sound impressive, but was almost impossible for me to do. Weeks went by as I attempted to collect information on companies that didn't respond. Some of my peers chose trendy topics without thinking about what data they could find. The result is the same. You are exhausted for weeks and exhausted. A topic that is practical is more effective than a dazzling one. It should be compatible with your resources and interest. For example substitute "The Future of Marketing in India" select "Social Media Marketing Strategies in Local Retail Stores." This is a more targeted approach to data collection, so it can be gathered more quickly and goals are more clear. Objectives Are More Important Than You Think The goals you set for your project should be clear and concise. There are many students who make the error of writing vague objectives like "To study the impact of leadership on productivity." That's not a good idea. I had to write mine several times in order to make them tangible and precise. Clare objectives can help you choose how to approach data collection, methodology and analysis. If objectives are weak your project is not connected. I have learned to ask myself what exactly I'm looking to measure and how I will know if I succeed. These kinds of questions make a major difference in the level of work. Collecting and Analysing Data Is Painful Data collection is the most common area in which students have difficulty. I have spent countless hours calling small businesses for surveys. Some did not respond and others promised me answers that didn't come. Surveys online are helpful, but the responses are usually not complete. Analysis is an additional challenge. There are no limits to the quality of charts and tables, however if you're not able to explain the meaning behind them, they're ineffective. I witnessed my classmates copy graphs on the spot without understanding. These numbers do not support anything unless you present them. A suggestion is to take a test run of your survey with a few individuals before. This can help identify difficult questions and helps avoid wasting time. Always link your analysis to goals. For instance, if your research is based on customer satisfaction, be sure your survey is measurable and asks questions about product quality, service quality, and the speed of response. Time Management Is Tough Everyone knows that time management is crucial but in MBA it's harder than it can sound. Between lectures, group assignments assignment and internships there is plenty of time. I sat on chapters for a while thinking that I could finish them in a few days. Then, a couple of weeks later, I started to panic. Breaking the project into smaller activities can be helpful. Then divide it into literature overview methodologies, data collection, analysis and writing chapters on their own. Record small, incremental progress every week. If you can even get one chapter or section that you complete each week can be motivating. Writing Is Harder Than You Think Even with a ready data set, writing can be challenging. I had a difficult time explaining results in a way that was easy to understand. Certain sections felt repetitive. I revised the analysis chapter numerous times. Keep language simple and clear. Have your friends review the sections. Sometimes being too caught up in your own project can make it difficult to identify mistakes. Fresh eyes help a lot. Supervisors Can Be Helpful But Also Frustrating The task of working with a supervisor can be difficult. Some give clear guidance, others are vague or difficult to comply with. It took me 2 weeks to get an answer, which slowed my progress. The most important thing is proactive. Plan specific questions, ensure that you follow up in a professional manner and keep a record of feedback. Supervisors are helpful but you must to manage your own project. Formatting and References Matter I initially didn't care about formatting. Fonts, spacing, certificates. I thought that I could rectify them later. Big mistake. It almost delayed submission. References are equally vital. One missing citation can raise questions. Use tools to manage references and keep track of them while creating chapters instead of waiting for the completion. A properly formatted project is clearer and more professional. Stress Is Real Stress is unavoidable. Deadlines for corrections, deadlines and missing information can overwhelm. Sometimes I sat at my screen and felt I'd never complete. Short breaks help. Socializing with friends, going for walks, or just listening to music. It's important to recognize small victories. Completing a literature review or the data collection process are significant milestones. They keep motivation high. Ethical Confusion Many students panic over what kind assistance is permitted. If you want to get help, but you aren't able to get someone else to write your essay. Ethics-related guidance can include feedback on the structure, methodology, and clarity. The original work is yours to keep. Asking for help does not constitute cheating. It is beneficial to use the resources available. Supervisors expect students to ask for help if they're stuck. Reviewing Your Work I focused on the chapters separately at first. Afterward, I discovered that the project as a whole has repetitions with inconsistent terminology and a lack of hyperlinks. A thorough review of the project reveals imperfections. Imagine yourself as the examiner. You'll be able to spot mistakes that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Procrastination Destroys Quality Working on projects that take too long is a major issue. It was my expectation that I could finish data analysis and writing in a couple of nights. That never worked. Every delay lowered quality. Get up early. Even one paragraph or section per day adds up. The task becomes more manageable, not overwhelming. What I Learned The MBA project isn't difficult because of the complexity. It's challenging because students underestimate the importance of planning, clarity and direction. Making mistakes is a normal part of life. It is important to be able to recognize and continue to improve. Being organized can help, but flexibility is more important. The things don't always go as planned. Certain data may not be available The supervisors will hesitate, obstacles will appear. The difference is in how you deal with these issues. Divide tasks into chunks in a focused manner, work on one thing at a time and keep reasonable expectations. Projects provide skills that aren't just academic. Time management, discipline in research written clarity, problem solving are some of the lessons that will prove useful in work life. It's stressful however, it's also practical. Closing Thoughts If you're planning to begin your MBA project, choose a subject you can actually research. It is important to define your goals. Develop small steps. Request help when you need it. Pause for breaks. Write in a simple manner. Avoid chasing perfection. Start earlier. The MBA project will be more than just a document. It tests your patience, planning and problem solving. You'll have to struggle. Everyone does. But every experience teaches something. The project does not just get submitted. It helps you become an undergraduate, researcher and a future professional.