HBX CORe was an enriching learning experience, but getting the most out of the program required meticulous planning and disciplined execution. I was a part of the September 2015 cohort, and during my tenure as a CORe student, I had to travel incessantly in addition to juggling a full-time job and two startups. Managing CORe on a daily basis along with my work commitments could have been a daunting task, but adequate planning helped me tread the fine line between work-life balance.

As a technology consultant, my travel schedule is predictable as I fly on Sunday evenings and return on Thursday nights. However, in September 2015, LFC 360 was nominated for the annual Football Blogging Awards held in Manchester, UK – an event which extended my travel to three continents and five time zones in the space of the12 weeks I was enrolled in HBX CORe. I had neither predicted nor prepared for an erratic travel schedule like this when I signed up for CORe.

Such unforeseen situations which deviate from the norm are unavoidable and can take a toll on your health if you are not well prepared. With better planning, one can position oneself to efficiently navigate through such scenarios. Here are a few pointers from my experience which helped me manage HBX Core while juggling a hectic travel schedule:

1. Manage time zone shifts

There are a few parameters to consider when you’re hopping time zones, and it is extremely important to manage these efficiently. A week prior to an upcoming travel schedule, I introspected the following:

• Am I going to go through a time shift?
• How big is the time zone shift?
• What will my work hours be like in a different time zone?
• How can I best reduce the effect of jetlag during my travel?

2. Optimize travel schedule

Sometimes, you can make little tweaks to your travel schedule which help you gain valuable pockets of time. If you are a traveling consultant, flying on a Monday morning instead of a Sunday frees up ample of time on the weekend. Similarly, I had taken a flight to the UK on a Friday evening, and worked from the airport until an hour before take-off. Another aspect to consider is scheduling flights post the infamous HBX CORe Thursday deadline.

3. Manage your diet

It is easy to get carried away when that odd sandwich and coffee at the airport becomes your staple food. Make sure you consume healthy meals while you are traveling, and pack a few of those energy bars as backup. It is important to provide adequate fuel to your body to keep your mind sharp for the duration of HBX CORe.

4. Manage your sleep

Going through a few sleepless nights is a common situation when juggling work and HBX CORe. However, it is scientifically proven that adequate sleep aids the learning process. Make sure you manage your sleep efficiently. Using fitness devices to keep a check on your sleep cycles helps you objectively evaluate your health – I personally used a fitbit HR.

5. Creating a conducive environment at work

HBX CORe requires a significant time commitment. If you’re going to succeed in HBX CORe, it is very important to set the expectations appropriately with your team, manager, or partner at work. My manager was very flexible and supported me with an option to cut down on travel time by working remotely whenever that was possible. This proved incredibly beneficial and supported my ability to perform well in CORe.

6. Communicate with your family and loved ones

While it is easy to assume that your significant other, parents, or children will adjust to your sudden post-dinner absence, the reality is quite different. To manage yourself better emotionally through the journey, make time for them. Compartmentalize your day and set the expectations upfront to strike that balance between the two.  Getting support from your loved ones while on this journey is perhaps the most underrated aspects of managing CORe – especially when the going gets tough!

7. Prepare offline notes

While HBX CORe has a dynamic and engaging platform, its peer-based learning model requires you to have a stable internet connection. As I travelled to and fro between New York, Manchester, and Mumbai, I did not have internet connectivity on certain flights for up to 22 hours. So you may look to book a flight which does offer in-flight WiFi or have your notes ready in paper format.