One fine day, whilst I was going through an Indian news channel website and browsing the internet at my home, I saw an advert regarding the University of Liverpool Online programmes. I happened to inadvertently click on the advert, from there on it was like embarking on an ebullient journey for learning anew. It gave me an opportunity to realise that there are tremendous advantages in joining an internationally reputed institution, and most of my colleagues who are currently at University of Liverpool Online would agree and attest to this statement. The attractiveness of the online course was that it would eventually allow me to dedicate my usual hours towards my professional and family responsibilities with ease, without any obstruction to my studies. I am now halfway through the MBA in International Business – wow, time passes so quickly!
The most important aspect of joining the online course could vary depending on personal perspectives, however, it brings to the stage a varied set of individuals who are the best professionals in their respective fields and have seen the world at close quarters, tested their skills and have an urge to do something better for themselves and their families. The courses offered are in line with the campus students, and the Blackboard (BB) environment will thrust you towards a platform where you can understand different cultures, share your own thoughts, interact with professionals, provide you with sufficient knowledge in diversified areas of management and enableyou to think and act in the best interest of your company and colleagues. The atmosphere in BB is secure, where only our research on literature takes precedence over our thoughts.
And it works well
Till this day, studies have not adversely affected my professional or social life, be it with the family or friends. Although, I do not maintain an overly active social life, except over weekends (the weekend in Saudi Arabia is on Thursday and Friday), where in this part of the world, the only entertainment is either playing cricket, chess with friends, taking your kids out to the beach to play ball with them, playing Wii and losing the game so they can enjoy their victories or going to a multi-cuisine restaurant and enjoying a quiet dinner with the family in a serene setting. How do I balance it? It is not simple, it needs to be delicately balanced between family needs and my profession. I devote weekends for family; nothing can stop it, not even my studies, and giving my full attention to them during these two days, which offsets the loss of any of the preceding week. I do not lock myself in isolation for the sake of studying. Having a good break on weekends helps me understand the course material much better, because social activities rejuvenate my mind.
At the office, I am fully aware of my responsibilities, but implementing some of the theories learned during the modules helps a lot. Then, friends who have been there with you through thick and thin are there to help you out if you need any assistance in completing some of the projects at work. But, I made a resolution prior to jumping on this learning train i.e., not to mix professional work with studies, as mix-up could be costly! What plays a major role, be it our studies, professional or personal lives, is our attitude and motivation towards our commitments in life.
How does family help?
One has to be lucky enough to have good friends and an understanding life partner, and I am fortunate to have a wonderful family and friends around me, particularly my wife (the other half) who recognises the fact that my studies at this point of time are my utmost priority, this makes life much easier. It is vital to have family’s support at home and colleagues support at the office, without which it would have been quite difficult to come this far. Their help makes things look easier, and sincerely believe that the rewards would be greater than I expected.
I believe I have made some sense out of my small experience and hope to see my classmates and the new incoming students succeed in their studies at Liverpool. Do not forget to join the University of Liverpool Online through Facebook and endure to make it a success story, because it is your university and you ought to give back something to the institution from where you have taken so much for your journey of life.
If you wish to comment on the above, please do not hesitate to do so, or if you wish to contact me, here is my email: maksohail71@hotmail.com do feel free to write your opinions, I have an open door policy for any critique coming my way.
Hope to see you all succeeeeeeeeeeeed!
Best regards,
Sohail A. Mohammed