How WBS MSc students manage their time

MSc students, Jeremy and Xiaotian Dai, explain how they manage their time, stay productive, and balance both life and their postgraduate studies.

How did you first adjust to time management at WBS?

Jeremy: One thing that surprised me when I started my MSc Business & Finance at WBS was how much independent study time we actually have. For each module, we usually only have around three hours of teaching per week, while the rest of the learning happens independently.

At first, having that much free time felt amazing, but I quickly realised it could also become a problem if you are not disciplined. It is very easy to spend your time travelling, watching Netflix, or scrolling on your phone instead of preparing for seminars and lectures.

What helped me most was treating my free time as study time first. Before every seminar, I try to complete the reading, problem sets, or preparation work in advance so I can actively participate instead of just listening passively in class.

Xiaotian: While studying MSc Management of Information Systems & Digital Innovation, time management was less about creating a perfect timetable and more about building a weekly rhythm that felt realistic and sustainable.

I try to keep my weekdays structured and focused around lectures, revision and assignments, while leaving weekends more flexible for rest, friends, coffee trips, or exploring somewhere new.

This became especially important when I started preparing for PhD applications alongside my MSc studies. I realised that I needed to separate urgent short-term tasks, like coursework deadlines, from important long-term goals, such as developing research ideas and preparing application materials.

What does a typical week as a WBS MSc student look like?

Xiaotian: Most weekdays follow a similar routine for me. I come to campus for lectures and workshops, then usually stay afterwards to study in the postgraduate spaces at WBS.

I really like the PG Lounge and the study areas with large screens and good facilities. Having a comfortable place to work helps me stay focused and productive after classes.

Some days are dedicated to exam revision, while others are for assignments or PhD preparation. I do not always follow my schedule perfectly, but having a structure makes everything feel more manageable.

Jeremy: My weeks are usually balanced between academics, networking and personal wellbeing.

I try to make sure I understand the lecture material properly before moving on to other activities. Once my academic priorities are done, I spend time networking, exercising, and occasionally attending events.

I think many postgraduate students try to fit too much into one year. You want to travel, socialise, get top grades, attend networking events and still have time for yourself. Eventually, you realise you cannot do everything at the same time without sacrificing something.

How do you balance academic work with career planning?

Jeremy: One thing I have learnt is that prioritisation is everything.

You have to decide what matters most to you personally and professionally. For me, academics, networking and maintaining my health through exercise are my biggest priorities, so I organise my time around those activities first.

There will always be trade-offs. If you spend too much time travelling, your academics may suffer. If you only study all the time, you might miss opportunities to build friendships and experiences outside the classroom.

Xiaotian: Preparing for a PhD while studying for my MSc taught me the importance of breaking large goals into smaller tasks.

Instead of trying to complete everything at once, I spread my preparation across several weeks. One day I might revise my research proposal, another day I might update my CV or read academic papers related to my research interests.

This approach makes long-term goals feel much less overwhelming and prevents everything from piling up at the same time.

What resources at WBS have helped you manage your time better?

Xiaotian: The academics at WBS have been incredibly helpful. Many lecturers offer office hours, and I often go with specific questions about assignments, research ideas or PhD applications.

These conversations save a lot of time because they help me gain clarity and direction instead of struggling alone.

I have also found the study spaces around WBS extremely useful. Sometimes simply staying on campus after lectures helps me stay focused rather than going home too early and losing momentum.

Jeremy: For me, the structure of seminars has helped a lot because it encourages active learning instead of passive learning.

I also think the WBS environment itself motivates you to stay productive. When you see other students working hard and balancing different responsibilities, it pushes you to stay disciplined with your own schedule.

What advice would you give to future WBS MSc students about managing their time?

Jeremy: My biggest advice is to choose your priorities wisely and avoid trying to do absolutely everything.

A master’s degree is only one year long, so your time passes very quickly. Focus on the activities that matter most to you and accept that some lower-priority things may need to be sacrificed.

Most importantly, enjoy the experience. Your MSc should challenge you, but it should not make you miserable. Looking after your wellbeing is just as important as getting good grades.

Xiaotian: I would say it is important to remember why you are doing all of this in the first place.

During stressful periods with exams, assignments and applications, I try to remind myself that I am not simply completing tasks. I am working towards something meaningful that I genuinely care about.

That mindset helps me stay motivated during busy weeks and makes the challenges feel much more worthwhile.