Whether you are starting your MBA this September or next September, there are always some things you can do to prepare yourself for the MBA program. It is a multi-faceted preparation. You need to be ready both mentally and physically. Many employers already value the fact that you quit your job and go back to school to advance your career. It is a challenging process and beside the great quality of education you are receiving, you are enhancing your life experience. Not everyone is a good fit for an MBA and you are already one step ahead of the crowd; make the most of this great experience!

Some things to brush up on your study skills:

• You can start with technical skills, especially your Excel skills. Every business education entails numbers and analytics. The good news is that if you know how to use Excel, you will be fine.  Apart from Excel, exploring MS Word and PowerPoint further will also be handy.
• Start following the media. What is going on around you? Are you up-to-date? Keep an eye on the recent economic and political happenings in the World. You can gather some good tips to share with your classmates during class discussions.
• Have some time to read a couple of books before the program? If the answer is yes, that’s great! You can start reading some good business books on leadership and management in general.
• Make sure you complete the Rotman Pre-Program Assessment!

Some things to prepare yourself physically:

• If you plan on working throughout the summer, probably it is a good idea to take a short vacation right before the start of the program. You will be embarking on a challenging journey and you might want to create some free time to relax before joining academia!
• You can make yourself familiar with the physical environment in Toronto, Canada. The location of the school and what is available in the proximity will help you experience a smooth transition. One of my previous posts on location might be a good starting point J
• Do your best to attend the Rotman Orientation camp before classes start. It is a great venue to get acquainted with your future classmates and some of the Rotman staff and faculty.

This is a brief checklist of some things we think you can do to prepare for your MBA education. Every individual has a different learning style and different expectations from the program. Figuring out what you really want to get out of this program will be very beneficial while you are in the program. It will not only put things in context for you, but also keep you focused all times.