Social Effect of GMAT Prep?

[jamesmorris]

I'm actually pretty curious about this. Those who have dedicated or are dedicating 20+ hours of studying a week and also working or are in school, how does this reflect in your personal life?

I'm heavily involved with church and also usually spend a great amount of time with my friends. Looking at my outlook calendar, this is one factor that I think will be difficult to predict and I would love to hear your perspectives.

Did you also come up with any work arounds? Like instead waking up earlier, etc.?

[Neo2000]

During the period i was prepping for the GMAT, I didnt have much of a social life to begin with so i didnt really notice the pinch. However, one of the things i did do was wake up early and study( i cant study late night i'm an early bird guy) so not only did that help me stay on track, but if i did have to go out in the evening, i cld go without troubling my conscience

[nandansingh]

My GMAT is on 7 nov - One week from today.
For the past two months, I've been literally cut-off from the outside world.
I am employed in metal factory. Met with an accident at factory. So, I am under paid medical leave since then. So, no disturbance from office.
Even my wife is angry that I don't share time with her and I am always involved in books.

So, it is very subjective.
It all depends on the seriousness of the person.
Those who are serious must have been cut-off prom social activities for some time atleast!

[jsl]

I'm actually pretty curious about this. Those who have dedicated or are dedicating 20+ hours of studying a week and also working or are in school, how does this reflect in your personal life?

I'm heavily involved with church and also usually spend a great amount of time with my friends. Looking at my outlook calendar, this is one factor that I think will be difficult to predict and I would love to hear your perspectives.

Did you also come up with any work arounds? Like instead waking up earlier, etc.?

Hi James! Your post caught my eye because of the word church! What type of church do you go to?

Anyhow, I have a wife and 2 yr old and having a balanced life is important to me. During week days, I haven't seen my baby much and have had at most 1 hour with my wife. I then study until midnight and get the baby at 6am. I also commute 4 hours a day Windsor --> London. I study on Sat mornings and try to take the rest of Sat with the family. Go to church on Sunday mornings and I usually spend the rest of the day with the family. On occasions, I have done GMAT tests on Sunday mornings and instead, go to cell group during the week.

Have done this routine since June.

Hope you manage to get a good routine! My advice - always remember the context... GMAT isn't your life

[jamesmorris]

Thanks for the responses so far. It's really intimidating at the level of dedication all of you put towards this test. I've been a bit worried because I work part-time and am a full-time student, and have a very active social life, but I know where sacrifices need to be made for my dreams.


To jsl, I go to a Christian church and am involved with the worship team on Sundays. Studying for the GMAT with a wife and child is intense! My #1 choice now is LBS's Masters in Management program after on of the admissions counselors on this forum showed it to me. I live here in the States, but I wanted to work in Europe for a few years before I began other things in life. Also, I primarily plan on working with non-profits, so it seems to align perfectly.