16.3
16.3 is not the number of hours of sleep I’ve gotten this week, the number of steps to get from the coffee bar to my classroom or, sadly, the number of miles I rode on my bike for the past two days. 16.3 is the number of credits I’ve completed since I began my EBMA journey in September 2008. Wow!
During my undergraduate experience I went to school full time and took between 15 and 18 credits a semester. I’ve been in graduate school for six months and have completed over 16 credits. No wonder I’m tired!
Going to school is hard to begin with. Going back to school after you’re out of practice is doubly hard. And, in an EMBA program like Loyola’s — that is designed around being in school while working full-time — is, well, a daunting task that, due to my eternal optimism, I was not quite prepared for.
I am absolutely thrilled by what I’m learning and accomplishing as part of this program — but this is one of those sobering posts to remind prospective students that it IS a lot of work. Loyola alumni, faculty and administrators warn of the commitment required to complete a program like this. And it’s all true. It’s also true that getting your EMBA is absolutely worth it.
OK, I’m not finished with the program and I don’t have that many people beating on my door offering me new opportunities so I may lack some credibility. However, I am amazed at what a great impact six months of school has had on my approach to work, business and life.
Whiteboard Musings
