Once you decide that you need to go through an EMBA program, you need to prepare for the experience. The biggest mistake many student executives make is assuming the program won’t be that hard, since the hours tend to be part-time. What they don’t realize is that juggling any MBA program with a full-time career and possibly a family and personal life can be stressful and exhausting. The following tips are designed to get you off on the right foot so you know how to survive the next year or two of study.

1. Choose your program based on hours and program structure, not just reputation.

When you did degree programs in the past, you probably considered the school’s reputation before you thought of anything else. While that’s still important when getting his EMBA, he needs to give more thought to the structure of the program he selects this time.

You probably have a lot more going on in your life this time as you are now working full time and may have more serious personal relationships or even a family to take care of now. This means that you need a program that fits your lifestyle in a reasonable way. It may not be entirely comfortable or easy, but it should be possible to juggle other responsibilities while doing the program.

It doesn’t matter how reliable a program is if you can’t meet all of the program’s requirements right now. Find something that fits your life right now.

2. Be realistic about what you will have to give up in order to complete the program.

The EMBA is designed just for working professionals like you, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to sacrifice to complete the program. Once you know what the schedule of the program will be, calculate your schedule and take into account what you will have to sacrifice to complete the program.

For example, you may need to stop watching your child’s soccer games or be home on time for dinner every night. You may have to sacrifice weekends to be in the classroom while spending weekdays cooped up in the office at work.

If you are mentally prepared for these sacrifices when you enter the program, you will handle the stress much better. It is when these things surprise that EMBA students struggle emotionally.

3. Keep an open mind to learn new things and expand your skill set.

Too many EMBA candidates enter the program thinking they have at least a few years of work experience in the business world and already know it all. They feel that the degrees they have already earned and their work experience have already prepared them for a successful career in management or even at the corporate level. They have closed minds and do not get the most out of their programs.

Whether you entered your EMBA program out of your own ambition or your employer has asked you to pursue the degree, recognize that you still have a lot to learn. No matter how far you climb the ladder at work, there is always something else to work on. Keep an open mind and you will get more out of your study time.