Capturing the Holiday Spirit: A Peek into Students’ Academic (and Festive) Experiences

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The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and reflection, and what better way to celebrate it than by hearing directly from students about their unique experiences? From festive traditions and creative gift ideas to moments of relaxation and personal growth, students bring fresh perspectives to this special time of the year.  The holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and celebration—and here at RKC, we’re wrapping up the year with gratitude for our incredible students. 

In this blog, recent RKC graduate Fabio shares how he celebrates, unwinds, and prepares for the year ahead. From career growth to cherished family traditions, discover how his RKC journey has enriched both his professional and personal life. Get inspired and embrace the festive spirit through his heartwarming story!

Which programme did you study?

MBA Innovation Leadership and consulting at Robert Kennedy College in exclusive partnership with York St John University 

What motivated you to pursue your degree online?

I took advantage of my time off during the pandemic. As an airline pilot, I was idle for a year in 2021, which provided a perfect opportunity to start studying for a degree, thanks to the extra time available. This allowed me to achieve my long-standing goal of earning a degree while preparing for potential future opportunities in an office-based role. Additionally, it was a great chance to broaden my knowledge in leadership and teamwork skills I apply daily in my work. I was also eager to delve deeper into corporate strategy and processes to enhance my understanding of organisational dynamics.

Which courses or subjects did you find most engaging, and why?

I found the module “Building and Leading High-Performing Teams” the most engaging because it closely aligned with my leadership role as an Airline Captain. The module’s focus on the dynamic interplay between leadership and followership, coupled with strategies to elevate team performance to optimal levels, was particularly impactful for professionals like me, tasked with high-stakes decision-making and coordination. Delving into these intricate dynamics and learning to guide a team to achieve peak performance was inspiring and profoundly relevant to my professional responsibilities. Furthermore, as part of the module, we participated in a group exercise where we delivered a group presentation, which allowed us to put our studies into practice, reinforcing the concepts and enhancing our collaborative skills.

Which module or subject was the most challenging for you, and how did you approach it?

I faced two particularly challenging modules for different reasons. The first, ‘Mastering Strategic Consulting,’ was challenging as it was my first university module after a 15-year break from education. I struggled with finding an effective study method and organising tasks. However, the university’s ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Assignment Writers’ material was incredibly helpful in getting me back on track. The second challenge was the last module, ‘Successful Strategic Thinking.’ By then, the aviation industry had recovered, and my work became very demanding, leaving me with little time for assignments. Despite this, the discipline I developed in earlier modules helped me maintain a daily routine of reading and writing, even if it was just for a few minutes each day. This steady approach led me to a rewarding conclusion.

Can you tell us more about the award you received? What does it mean to you personally and professionally?

The awards I received, the MBA in Innovation Leadership and Consulting with distinction and the surprise Subject prize in ‘Business’, hold significant personal and professional meaning. It is a validation of the hard work and dedication I put into my studies after returning to education after 15 years. Managing a busy work schedule alongside academic responsibilities made the journey challenging, but the distinction and prize are a testament to my perseverance and commitment throughout the programme. It’s a meaningful recognition of my efforts and growth during this period. Professionally, this recognition boosts my confidence and provides further motivation to pursue my goals in leadership and business. It also acknowledges the skills and knowledge I have developed, reinforcing my credibility in my field. The award strengthens my professional identity and opens doors for new opportunities, whether advancing in my current role or exploring new challenges.

What skills or knowledge gained during your studies do you feel will be most valuable in your professional life?

Reflecting on my academic journey, some acquired skills and experiences stand out as particularly valuable for my professional life:

Critical Thinking and Intellectual Growth, efficient time management, and resilience have equipped me to approach complex problems strategically and make well-informed decisions. I anticipate leveraging them in roles that require strategic leadership, innovative problem-solving, and collaboration under pressure.

Effective Productivity Management, by balancing academic demands with a busy work schedule, taught me to prioritise tasks, set realistic goals, and maintain a disciplined schedule. Breaking down large projects into manageable steps proved essential for sustaining momentum, a methodology I can confidently apply to professional environments.

Perseverance in overcoming challenges was a transformative experience. I learned the importance of persistence in achieving long-term goals, strengthening my ability to stay focused despite adversity.

Are there any strategies or tips you found particularly useful that you would recommend to others?

  • Do not Procrastinate.
  • Read and write from day one of the module.
  • Submit the mid-module draft as complete as possible to get more thorough feedback. 
  • Have a study buddy from your course to talk about lessons.
  • If you have any doubts, Ask!
  • After completing the assignment, ‘let it rest’ for 5-7 days and return to it with a fresh mind before submitting it. You will notice details/errors that you didn’t before.
  • Finally, enjoy the process!

Lastly, how did you manage studies during holiday season?

During my academic journey, I found myself in the middle of a module while on my Christmas holidays, which made studying challenging due to the festivities and family commitments. However, with some planning, I managed to balance both. I kept it simple, I left the main holiday days from the 24th to the 26th of December free to enjoy with family, while on the others I planned to study 2 hours every morning after waking up to enjoy the rest of the day guilt-free. Slowly but steadily. At this time of the year, I had to be realistic, I couldn’t push too hard on studying alone as time with family and friends was very important. Setting a realistic goal every day was key to maintaining balance.

As Fabio’s story shows, the holiday season is a time for reflection and future planning. Ready to take the next step in your academic and professional journey? With flexible online applications and a world-class learning environment, your future starts here. Apply online today and let this holiday season mark the beginning of your journey toward excellence!

#DILO (A day in the life of) a RKC’s master’s student

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As a former Education advisor, if I had to pick one of the most frequently asked questions by prospective students, it would be “How many hours do I need to study?”  

The vast majority (if not all) of our students are working and leading hectic professional lives. Some are motivated and have already decided to undertake a master’s, while others contemplate the unknowns of an online programme. In my experience, two things affect their decision the most.   

First – finances, and second, being able to strike the perfect work, study, and life balance. While I cannot completely help you with the finances (partially yes – check out the discount offers currently being offered on our online MBA, MSc, and LL.M programmes), I thought what I could do to help was to bring some facts to light about the other unknowns – what does a typical day in the life of an online master’s student look like?  

Today, we’re looking at overview of one of RKC’s student typical day who is taking MBA Learsership and Management, offered in exclusive partnership with York St. John University.

An Introduction  

Which programme did you choose and why?  

I am studying MBA Leadership and Management. I chose it because I am a finance professional but work with the Operations unit which oversees the running of the office. And leadership and Management skills are required be able to manage people.

The Study Plan   

How did you plan to study each module, and what was the reality? How many hours did/do you have to put in each day/or in a week?  

The course is conducted online. I mostly study on weekends and sometimes week days in the office when everyone has left. I usually listen to lectures and make my own notes from them. In total, I put in more than 10 hours a week, as I also have to do research and listen to the videos over and over, alongwith reading relevant text books.

 What part of the day did/do you find most suitable to study? (e.g. early mornings, lunch break, evenings, weekends?)  

On weekends I would study early mornings and also late evenings. On weekdays, I preferred studying late evenings after work in the office when everyone would leave. I usually stay back for at least 2 hours.

In total, I put in more than 10 hours a week

How much time did you devote for each assignment?  

Quite some time you need to do proper research and also understand your subject matter for you to be able to get a pass mark. So I had to drop out some social commitments and devote more time to my studies.

Travelling and Communication  

Did you travel for work? How did travelling impact your ability to study?  

I am studying online so travelling did not impact me.

How were you able to interact with peers and/or professors given the time differences?  

There was a module that required a group interaction and my fellow students lived in two different time zones. But we were able to agree on a time that we could meet. Time differences did not affect my interaction with my professors as they always responded to me in time and they could be reached whenever need be.

A typical day as a master’s student  

What does a typical day as an Online Masters’ student look like for you?  

A typical day for me starts early at about 5:30am on weekends with me going to our OnlineCampus listening to videos and reading the online materials. On week days it also starts at 5:30am and getting ready for work. I usually work till 6:00pm and after I finish, would study for 2 hours, sometimes more in the office.

Any advice?  

 Any advice you have for students to better plan their studies.  

The best advice I can give to students is

1. Find a time in the day for up to 2 hours that you can concentrate on just your studies

2. Reduce social activities especially if you are working and studying at the same time

3. Try to ask a lot of questions to your professor if you don’t understand the instructions given for an assignment. I had to retake a module because I misunderstood the instruction.

4. Find a fellow student within the course you are doing, with who you can discuss few topics for better understanding.

5. Learn to submit assignment 2-3 days before the deadline. You might get unexpected internet challenge uploading your assignment at the last minute and miss the deadline by few minutes which will make you get a capped mark.

 

Guochang used reading tools, as Acrobat for reading, Zotero for note…

All right, so this was a sneak peek of a typical day in  life as a master’s student. I hope you find it insightful and informative and that it gives you an idea of what to expect when you enrol for our master’s programmes. Watch this space as we have many more interesting insights always!