Executive MBA students and alumni share their experiences of balancing the MBA with work and family responsibilities.
- By
- February 24, 2026
- Student Experience
MBA Work-Life Balance: Strategies from Chicago Booth Students and Alumni
Pursuing an MBA is a significant commitment, demanding both time and dedication, especially when layered on top of existing professional and personal responsibilities. While Chicago Booth is undeniably a rigorous institution, the short-term sacrifice consistently yields infinite long-term returns. If you're considering applying but find yourself questioning how to successfully integrate an MBA into an already full life of work and family responsibilities, you're not alone. Below, current students and alumni, who were once in your exact position, share their strategies and insights for successfully balancing it all.
Navigating the MBA with a Partner & Family
“I have a very understanding partner—that’s the most important piece. After that, it’s discipline. I start earlier, I finish later, and I’m extremely intentional about study time. The athlete in me helps: You go into a kind of autopilot where repetition becomes your rhythm. And I remind myself that the challenge is part of the MBA experience. You’ll be tired, inspired, overwhelmed, and energized at different times. Knowing that I’m doing this for my kids makes it all worth it.” — Kyle Fraser-Allen, London Based Executive MBA Student
“I became a mother for the first time during this program. The school has been incredibly supportive, in that being a new mom and doing the EMBA at the same time has its challenges. It’s not easy. But I think actually my little girl will be really proud of the fact that, you know, I did this.” — Miranda Mallows, ’24
“Treat the MBA like a shared mission, not a competing priority. Communicate often, protect a few non-negotiable moments together, and give each other grace during intense weeks. Life is short and it’s not worth being upset at your spouse, we are in it to win it!” — Abhishek Nagaraj, Chicago Based Executive MBA Student
“It was one of the toughest periods of my life, but also one of the most rewarding. My first child was born in January 2019, and my second was born in October 2020, right after I started Booth. My professors and classmates were incredibly supportive—one professor even gave me extra time to take a test that was scheduled soon after my wife gave birth.
At one point, my family and I were quarantined for three weeks in a hotel room in Singapore—it was chaotic. But I kept reminding myself this was just a two-year period of sacrifice for long-term growth. My wife and I worked as a team, and I made sure family came first, followed by Booth, then work.” — Hitoshi Terasaka, MBA ’22
Practical Time Management & Study Habits
“The workload is significant but I’ve never doubted the value I’m getting in return for my effort. I have tried to be very conscious of how I balance time between work, school, family, and trying to find time for myself. I’m thankful for some good advice from alumni that has worked for me. First, I started building study habits before the program with the preparation materials, which made the start of the program less of a shock. Second, my wife and I established a plan with dedicated nights for schoolwork and, more importantly, dedicated nights for distraction-free family time. Finally, I try to keep track of what work is in front of me so that if I have an extra fifteen or thirty minutes in my schedule, I have material ready to review or manageable portions of assignments to work on.” — Jacob Peterson, Chicago Based Executive MBA Student
The Importance of Community & Peer Support
“Balancing work, school, and family is certainly not easy, but the support I’ve received from my classmates has been incredible. My first son was born in April, during my first year in the program. Many of my classmates are already parents and have shared practical advice about time management and mindset. They’ve also been incredibly understanding—during group projects and exam periods, we support each other and adjust workloads based on individual circumstances. It’s a true sense of community.” — Taku Yasuda, Hong Kong Based Executive MBA Student
“There’s this narrow view of what’s available to us in terms of opportunities, like a straight line ahead of you. And the MBA Program breaks that down completely. We are exposed to 360 degrees of opportunities. My fellow MBA students have given me the space and the encouragement to remove the limits I had set for myself. Quitting a role that is unfulfilling, becoming a student again in midlife, balancing a young family with an ambitious career—those are uncomfortable decisions. In my experience, nothing fulfilling ever happens when you remain in your comfort zone. Once you experience these challenges, and emerge thriving, you recognize how much you have to offer to those around you: family and friends, the community, coworkers, employers, and business partners.” — Sev Gunes-Lasnet, ’24
Prioritizing Mental Health & Self Care
“Lower the bar for perfection and raise the bar for communication. Some weeks, you’re both thriving. Other weeks, one of you is running on caffeine and determination while the other quietly picks up the slack. The key is being honest about bandwidth and remembering that this is a season—not a referendum on your relationship. One week I may be at 20% and my partner picks up the other 80, and the next week he may be at 20% and I pick up the 80. Together we figure out how to make it 100!” — Anushka Gaglani, Chicago Based Executive MBA Student
“First, take care of yourself. As a father, you're often focused on supporting your loved ones. While you should always maintain that focus, it’s also important to remember that the MBA program is intense and you’ll need some outlet to ensure your needs are being met. For me, that means regularly playing basketball, reading, and meeting with my therapist. Second, wherever you are, be there. Don’t try to multitask your way through school, work, and family.” — Aaron Bennett, Chicago Based Executive MBA Student
Ultimately, balancing the demands of an MBA with a demanding career and family life can be challenging at times, but as our students and alumni attest, it is an achievable and profoundly rewarding decision. The key to success lies in discipline, intentional planning, and having a supportive community in your corner. The commitment you make now will unlock a future of limitless opportunities and recognizable personal growth.
So, are you ready to take the next step toward your own Booth MBA journey?
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